Intel Core i7-4770HQ vs Intel Xeon D-1528 Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1528 and Intel Core i7-4770HQ represent two distinct Intel philosophies: one is a low-power server processor built for sustained throughput, the other a mobile flagship from the Haswell era. The benchmark data available shows a surprisingly consistent pattern of results, with the Xeon D-1528 taking the lead in every single comparable test. However, the underlying architecture and specification differences tell a more nuanced story about which processor is suited for which task.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous in its outcome. Across the entire Cinebench suite, the Intel Xeon D-1528 emerges victorious in all six comparisons. The most significant margin comes in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the Xeon D-1528 scores 82 against the i7-4770HQ’s 72, a delta of 13.9%. This is a surprising result given the i7-4770HQ’s much higher boost clock, but the data is clear.

In the multi-core tests, the pattern is equally consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon D-1528 scores 584 versus the i7-4770HQ’s 514, a 13.6% advantage. This same delta of 13.6% repeats almost exactly across the board: Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 2435 against 2144, Cinebench R20 single-core shows 343 against 302, Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 5799 against 5106, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 818 against 720. The uniformity of this 13.6% delta across different workload generations is remarkable, suggesting a fixed architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

The win tally is decisive: 6 wins for the Xeon D-1528, 0 for the Core i7-4770HQ. When looking at the broader average benchmark scores, the two processors are nearly inseparable. The Xeon D-1528 has an average benchmark score of 1677, while the i7-4770HQ sits at 1660. This near-parity in average score, despite the Xeon’s consistent head-to-head wins, indicates that the i7-4770HQ must have strengths in other test categories not captured in the Cinebench suite. The i7-4770HQ has additional Geekbench results—3407 multi-core and 1013 single-core—which are not present in the Xeon D-1528’s data set.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the available benchmark data, the Xeon D-1528 is the clear winner in every measured category. There is no test in the head-to-head comparison where the i7-4770HQ takes the lead. This suggests that for pure CPU compute tasks, particularly those represented by the Cinebench family of benchmarks, the Xeon D-1528 is the superior choice.

However, the i7-4770HQ is not without its merits. Its inclusion of integrated graphics (Intel HD 5200) means it can handle display output without a discrete GPU, a feature entirely absent from the Xeon D-1528. For a mobile workstation or all-in-one system where space and power for a separate graphics card are limited, this is a significant functional advantage. The i7-4770HQ also has a higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz compared to the Xeon’s 2.50 GHz, which could theoretically benefit bursty, single-threaded workloads, though the benchmark data does not reflect this advantage in practice.

In the context of its nearest rivals, the Xeon D-1528 sits at an average score of 1677, which is essentially identical to the Intel Core i5-4690K (1682, delta -0.3%) and the Intel Core i7-3770K (1688, delta -0.6%). This places the server chip in the same performance tier as well-regarded desktop processors from its era. The i7-4770HQ, with an average score of 1660, is similarly close to the Intel Xeon E-2124 (1658, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-4670K (1656, delta 0.3%), confirming its position as a capable mid-range performer.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon D-1528 is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE variant, and is manufactured on a 14 nm process node. This newer, denser process allows for a transistor count of 3,200 million packed into a die size of 246 mm². The i7-4770HQ, in contrast, uses the older Haswell architecture (codenamed Crystalwell) on a 22 nm process. Its transistor count is 1,400 million on a larger 264 mm² die, reflecting the less dense manufacturing process.

The cache layouts are fundamentally different. The Xeon D-1528 uses a per-core cache design, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 1.5 MB of L3 per core. The i7-4770HQ also has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but its L3 cache is shared at 6 MB total. This architectural distinction is significant: the Xeon’s larger total L3 cache (9 MB across 6 cores) is designed to feed more cores simultaneously, while the i7’s shared 6 MB pool is a more traditional desktop arrangement.

The Xeon D-1528 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the i7-4770HQ is limited to DDR3 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the i7-4770HQ has a specified memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the Xeon D-1528 does not have a listed bandwidth figure. ECC memory support is another key differentiator: the Xeon D-1528 supports ECC, the i7-4770HQ does not. This makes the Xeon suitable for error-sensitive server environments where data integrity is paramount.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal a clear divergence in target markets. The Intel Xeon D-1528 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor with a base clock of 1900 MHz and a boost clock of 2.50 GHz, all within a 35 W TDP. It uses the Intel BGA 1667 socket and is classified as a Server/Workstation part. The Intel Core i7-4770HQ is a 4-core, 8-thread processor with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, drawing 47 W TDP. It uses the Intel BGA 1364 socket and is classified as a Mobile part.

The PCIe configurations differ as well. The Xeon D-1528 offers 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-4770HQ offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Xeon more headroom for expansion cards, NVMe storage, or additional network controllers, which is typical for a server platform.

The i7-4770HQ includes the integrated Intel HD 5200 graphics, while the Xeon D-1528 has no integrated graphics at all. This is a critical specification for systems that need display output without a dedicated GPU. The Xeon D-1528 was released later (2015-10-31) compared to the i7-4770HQ (2014-06-30), and remains in active production, while the i7-4770HQ is end-of-life. The Xeon D-1528 has a launch MSRP of $320; the i7-4770HQ has no listed launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1528 is consistently faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5799 versus the i7-4770HQ’s 5106, a 13.6% advantage. This pattern holds in R15 (584 vs 514) and R20 (2435 vs 2144).

Q: Does the Core i7-4770HQ win any benchmark comparison?

A: No. In the six head-to-head Cinebench tests available, the Xeon D-1528 wins all six. The i7-4770HQ does have additional Geekbench scores (3407 multi-core, 1013 single-core) that are not available for the Xeon D-1528, so a direct comparison cannot be made on that test.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Xeon D-1528 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Core i7-4770HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads. This gives the Xeon a 50% advantage in core count and a 50% advantage in thread count.

Q: Can either processor support ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon D-1528 supports ECC memory. The Core i7-4770HQ does not support ECC. This is a key feature for server reliability and data integrity.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Core i7-4770HQ has integrated graphics (Intel HD 5200). The Xeon D-1528 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Xeon D-1528 has an average benchmark score of 1677, which is nearly identical to the Intel Core i5-4690K (1682, delta -0.3%) and the Intel Core i7-3770K (1688, delta -0.6%). The i7-4770HQ’s average score of 1660 is close to the Intel Xeon E-2124 (1658, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-4670K (1656, delta 0.3%).

The Verdict

The data presents a clear picture for compute performance: the Intel Xeon D-1528 is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. If the task is purely CPU-bound rendering, compilation, or scientific computing, the Xeon D-1528 delivers a consistent 13.6% advantage across the board. Its higher core count and thread count, combined with the larger total L3 cache and ECC memory support, make it the obvious choice for server workloads and headless compute nodes.

The Intel Core i7-4770HQ, despite its higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz, cannot overcome the Xeon’s architectural advantages in the tested workloads. However, the i7-4770HQ should be the pick for mobile or compact systems where the integrated Intel HD 5200 graphics are necessary for display output. The data shows it is a capable processor in its own right, with an average benchmark score (1660) that is within 1% of the Xeon D-1528 (1677). Its lower transistor count (1,400 million vs 3,200 million) and older 22 nm process suggest it is a less sophisticated part, but its end-of-life status and mobile positioning mean it served a different purpose.

For a system builder prioritizing raw compute in a server context, the Xeon D-1528 is the data-backed choice. For a mobile workstation needing on-board graphics and a familiar desktop architecture, the Core i7-4770HQ remains a functional, if older, option. The benchmark results are one-sided, but the specification differences explain why both parts exist.