Intel Core i7-5557U vs Intel Xeon D-1518 Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1518 and Intel Core i7-5557U are both 14 nm Broadwell parts, but they target entirely different corners of the market. The Xeon D-1518 is a server and workstation processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i7-5557U is a mobile chip with 2 cores and 4 threads. Benchmark results from the database show a decisive performance gap, with the Xeon D-1518 winning all five recorded head-to-head tests by margins between 44.4% and 44.9%. The data indicates that the Xeon D-1518 is the stronger compute part, while the Core i7-5557U offers a lower thermal envelope and integrated graphics for portable systems.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon D-1518 is significantly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3877 against the Core i7-5557U's 2682, a 44.6% advantage. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Xeon scores 390 versus 270, a 44.4% lead.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The Xeon D-1518 also leads in single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 547 versus 378 for the Core i7-5557U, a 44.7% difference. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 229 against 158, a 44.9% gap.

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

A: The Intel Xeon D-1518 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i7-5557U has 2 cores and 4 threads. This difference in parallel resources is a primary reason for the Xeon's multi-core advantage.

Q: Does the Core i7-5557U support ECC memory?

A: No. The database lists ECC memory support as true for the Xeon D-1518 and false for the Core i7-5557U. This makes the Xeon part more suitable for server or workstation environments where error-correcting memory is required.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-5557U includes integrated graphics, listed as Intel Iris 6100. The Intel Xeon D-1518 has no integrated graphics listed in the database, meaning a discrete GPU would be required for display output.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) of each chip?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1518 has a TDP of 35 watts. The Intel Core i7-5557U has a TDP of 28 watts. The mobile chip draws less power, which aligns with its use in laptops and compact portable devices.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear split in purpose. The Intel Xeon D-1518 is the choice for workloads that demand raw multi-threaded throughput. It wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark, with margins consistently around 44% to 45% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with ECC memory support and a server-oriented platform, make it the appropriate pick for small-scale servers, network appliances, or workstation builds where compute density matters more than power efficiency.

The Intel Core i7-5557U, by contrast, is a mobile processor. Its 2 cores and 4 threads deliver lower absolute scores, but its 28 watt TDP and integrated Intel Iris 6100 graphics make it suitable for thin laptops or compact systems where space and cooling are limited. The data shows it trails the Xeon by 44.6% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, but it offers a complete platform in a low-power package. For users who need a chip that can handle everyday tasks without a discrete GPU, the Core i7-5557U is the logical option. For users who prioritize compute performance and server features, the Xeon D-1518 is the clear winner.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records five head-to-head comparisons, and the Intel Xeon D-1518 wins all of them. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Xeon scores 229 against the Core i7-5557U's 158, a 44.9% difference. This result is notable because single-core performance typically favors higher clock speeds, yet the Xeon's 2.20 GHz base clock still outpaces the Core i7's 3.10 GHz base clock in this test. The Xeon's architecture appears to deliver more instructions per clock in this workload.

In multi-core tests, the Xeon's advantage is equally pronounced. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the Xeon at 390 and the Core i7 at 270, a 44.4% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1628 versus 1126, a 44.6% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 3877 versus 2682, also a 44.6% difference. These consistent margins across multiple generations of the Cinebench test suggest that the Xeon's 4 cores and 8 threads provide a substantial scaling advantage over the Core i7's 2 cores and 4 threads.

The single-core results follow the same trend. Cinebench R23 single-core has the Xeon at 547 and the Core i7 at 378, a 44.7% lead. The Xeon also wins in Cinebench R20 single-core, as noted above. The data shows no test where the Core i7-5557U comes out ahead. The wins tally in the database is 5 for the Xeon D-1518 and 0 for the Core i7-5557U.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Xeon D-1518 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i7-5557U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon has a base clock of 2.20 GHz with no boost clock listed, while the Core i7 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Xeon has a TDP of 35 watts, the Core i7 has a TDP of 28 watts.

The sockets are different: the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1667, while the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1168. Memory support also differs. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the Core i7 supports only DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory, but the Core i7 lists a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the Xeon does not have a bandwidth figure in the database. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon but not on the Core i7.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The Xeon D-1518 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes, while the Core i7-5557U provides PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes. The Core i7 includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris 6100), while the Xeon has none. The market segments differ: the Xeon is listed as Server/Workstation, and the Core i7 is listed as Mobile. The Xeon is marked as Active in production status, while the Core i7 is End-of-life. The release dates are close, with the Core i7 released on 2015-02-28 and the Xeon on 2015-03-08. The launch MSRP for the Xeon is $193, and for the Core i7 it is $426. The part numbers are SR2DN for the Xeon and SR26E for the Core i7.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and share the Broadwell architecture family, but they belong to different sub-families. The Xeon D-1518 is part of the Xeon D series, specifically Broadwell-DE, while the Core i7-5557U is part of the Core i7 series, specifically Broadwell-U. This distinction reflects their intended platforms: the Xeon D is designed for dense server and networking applications, while the Broadwell-U line targets ultra-low-power mobile devices.

The transistor counts and die sizes differ substantially. The Xeon D-1518 contains 3,200 million transistors on a die size of 246 mm². The Core i7-5557U contains 1,900 million transistors on a die size of 133 mm². The larger die and higher transistor count on the Xeon align with its additional cores and server-oriented features.

Cache configurations also differ. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is organized differently. The Xeon D-1518 has 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core, while the Core i7-5557U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Xeon's total L3 cache scales with its core count, while the Core i7 uses a shared pool across its two cores.

The integrated memory controller on the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, a flexibility that suits server environments with varied memory types. The Core i7 is limited to DDR3, which is consistent with its mobile platform. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Core i7. The PCIe implementation differs as well, with the Xeon offering Gen 3 and 24 lanes versus the Core i7's Gen 2 and 12 lanes. These architectural choices reinforce the Xeon's role as a server processor and the Core i7's role as a mobile part.