Intel Core i7-5500U vs Intel Xeon W3570 Comparison

The Intel Xeon W3570 and Intel Core i7-5500U represent two completely different philosophies in processor design, separated by six years of architectural evolution. The Xeon W3570 is a 2009-era server/workstation part built for raw throughput in a desktop-class socket, while the i7-5500U is a 2015 ultra-mobile chip designed for battery efficiency in thin laptops. Benchmark data shows the older Xeon wins every single multi-core and single-core test in the head-to-head comparison, but the numbers tell only part of the story. The Xeon W3570's wins are consistent, with deltas between 16.3% and 16.7% across all Cinebench tests. However, the i7-5500U counters with features the Xeon simply cannot offer—integrated graphics, a 15W TDP, and a modern 14nm process. The choice between these two is less about raw performance and more about the intended use case, as the data reveals a clear split between compute-heavy workstation tasks and power-constrained mobile workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon W3570 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, taking all five Cinebench tests. Its dominance is most pronounced in multi-core workloads, where its four cores and eight threads leverage the larger 8MB shared L3 cache to outperform the i7-5500U's two cores and four threads. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the Xeon scoring 2776 against the i7-5500U's 2381, a 16.6% advantage. This pattern holds across every test, from the older R15 to the newer R23, indicating that the Xeon's architectural advantages in cache size and memory bandwidth translate directly into sustained compute performance. For anyone running CPU-bound rendering, compilation, or scientific workloads, the Xeon W3570 is the clear winner based on the data.

The i7-5500U wins in areas not captured by the Cinebench suite. Its 15W TDP is drastically lower than the Xeon's 130W, making it the only viable option for fanless or passively-cooled designs. The integrated Intel HD 5500 graphics mean a system built around the i7-5500U requires no discrete GPU for basic display output, while the Xeon W3570 has no integrated graphics at all. The i7-5500U also supports dual-channel memory with a specified 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, which is sufficient for its mobile target. The Xeon W3570's triple-channel memory controller offers higher theoretical bandwidth, but the i7-5500U's lower power envelope and integrated GPU make it the winner for portable, battery-operated systems. The data shows the i7-5500U has zero benchmark wins, but its real victory is in enabling a class of devices the Xeon cannot physically fit into.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is enormous. The Xeon W3570 uses the Nehalem architecture on a 45nm process, fabricated by Intel with 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die. The i7-5500U uses the Broadwell architecture on a 14nm process, packing 1,300 million transistors into just 82 mm². This is a 31nm process node reduction, allowing the i7-5500U to nearly double the transistor count while occupying less than a third of the die area. The Xeon's larger die and older process explain its 130W TDP, while the i7-5500U's modern process enables a 15W TDP.

Cache configurations differ significantly. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the Xeon W3570 features 8MB of shared L3 cache, double the i7-5500U's 4MB. The Xeon also supports triple-channel DDR3 memory, while the i7-5500U uses dual-channel DDR3 with a specified 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-5500U includes Intel HD 5500 integrated graphics, a feature entirely absent from the Xeon. The Xeon supports ECC memory, making it suitable for error-sensitive server workloads, while the i7-5500U does not. Both use PCIe Gen 2, but the i7-5500U specifies 12 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon's lane count is not listed. The Xeon's socket is Intel Socket 1366, a desktop/server platform, while the i7-5500U uses Intel BGA 1168, a soldered mobile package.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Xeon W3570 wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests. The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Xeon scores 392 against the i7-5500U's 336, a 16.7% delta. This is notable because single-core performance typically favors newer architectures with higher IPC, but the Xeon's higher 3.20 GHz base and 3.47 GHz boost clocks overcome the i7-5500U's architectural improvements. The i7-5500U clocks at 2.40 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost, which is 0.80 GHz and 0.47 GHz lower respectively.

Multi-core tests show similar margins. Cinebench R23 multi-core has the Xeon at 2776 versus 2381 for the i7-5500U, a 16.6% delta. The R20 multi-core test shows 1165 against 1000, a 16.5% delta, and the R15 multi-core test shows 279 against 240, a 16.3% delta. The consistency of these deltas—hovering between 16.3% and 16.7%—suggests the performance gap is uniform across both single and multi-threaded workloads. The i7-5500U's 4MB L3 cache and dual-core design simply cannot match the Xeon's 8MB cache and quad-core configuration. The i7-5500U does have a Geekbench multi-core score of 1689 and single-core score of 881, but no comparable Geekbench scores exist for the Xeon in the data, so a direct comparison in that test is not possible.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows where these two processors diverge most sharply. The Xeon W3570 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-5500U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.47 GHz versus 3.00 GHz. TDP is the most dramatic difference: 130W for the Xeon versus 15W for the i7-5500U, an 115W gap. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1366, while the i7-5500U uses Intel BGA 1168. Process nodes are 45 nm versus 14 nm. Transistor counts are 731 million versus 1,300 million, and die sizes are 263 mm² versus 82 mm².

Cache differs in L3 only: the Xeon has 8MB shared, the i7-5500U has 4MB shared. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the Xeon uses triple-channel while the i7-5500U uses dual-channel. The i7-5500U lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the Xeon's bandwidth is not specified. ECC memory support is present on the Xeon but absent on the i7-5500U. The i7-5500U includes Intel HD 5500 integrated graphics; the Xeon has none. The i7-5500U has a launch MSRP of $393; the Xeon's launch MSRP is not listed. The Xeon's market segment is Server/Workstation, while the i7-5500U targets Mobile. Release dates are 2009-03-29 for the Xeon and 2015-02-28 for the i7-5500U. Both are end-of-life and have locked multipliers.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon W3570 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 2776 versus the i7-5500U's 2381, a 16.6% delta. The R20 multi-core test shows 1165 versus 1000, a 16.5% delta.

Q: Does the i7-5500U win any benchmarks?

A: No. In the head-to-head comparison, the i7-5500U has zero wins. The Xeon W3570 wins all five Cinebench tests, with deltas ranging from 16.3% to 16.7%.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two CPUs?

A: The Xeon W3570 has a 130W TDP, while the i7-5500U has a 15W TDP. This 115W difference makes the i7-5500U suitable for mobile devices, while the Xeon requires robust desktop cooling.

Q: Can the i7-5500U support ECC memory?

A: No. The i7-5500U does not support ECC memory. The Xeon W3570 does support ECC memory, which is a key feature for server and workstation reliability.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i7-5500U, which includes Intel HD 5500. The Xeon W3570 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth compare?

A: The i7-5500U lists 25.6 GB/s bandwidth over dual-channel DDR3. The Xeon W3570 uses triple-channel DDR3 but its bandwidth is not specified in the data.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear performance victory for the Intel Xeon W3570. It wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with consistent deltas of over 16% across all Cinebench tests. Its 4 cores, 8 threads, 8MB L3 cache, and higher clock speeds make it the superior choice for any CPU-intensive task, from rendering to compilation. The ECC memory support and triple-channel memory controller further cement its position as a workstation part. If raw compute throughput is the only criterion, the Xeon W3570 is the definitive choice.

However, the i7-5500U is not without merit. Its 15W TDP is a fraction of the Xeon's 130W, enabling fanless designs and long battery life. The integrated Intel HD 5500 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The 14nm process with 1,300 million transistors in an 82 mm² die demonstrates the efficiency gains of six years of architectural evolution. For a mobile user who needs a quiet, cool, power-efficient laptop CPU, the i7-5500U is the only option that physically fits the requirement.

The choice comes down to platform and power. The Xeon W3570 belongs in a desktop workstation with a capable air cooler and a discrete GPU, where its 130W TDP and lack of integrated graphics are non-issues. The i7-5500U belongs in a thin laptop, where its low power draw and integrated graphics are essential. The benchmark data shows the Xeon wins on performance, but the i7-5500U wins on efficiency and mobility. Neither processor is a universal winner; each is optimal for its intended environment. The 16.3% to 16.7% performance gap is real, but so is the 115W TDP gap. Buyers should match the processor to the workload and form factor, not just the benchmark scores.