Intel Core i7-5600U vs Intel Xeon W5580 Comparison

The Intel Xeon W5580 and Intel Core i7-5600U represent two entirely different philosophies from Intel’s lineup: a 45 nm server/workstation powerhouse from 2009 versus a 14 nm ultra-low-power mobile chip from 2015. Benchmark data shows the Xeon W5580 wins every single head-to-head test, with margins between 15.9% and 16.1% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The Core i7-5600U, however, counters with a dramatically lower 15 W TDP and integrated graphics, making it the clear choice for fanless or battery-constrained designs. The data does not support a single overall winner; it supports two distinct use cases.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon W5580 wins all four multi-core benchmarks. It scores 296 in Cinebench R15, 1234 in R20, and 2940 in R23, beating the Core i7-5600U by 16.1%, 15.9%, and 15.9% respectively.

Q: Does the Core i7-5600U win any benchmark?

A: No. In the head-to-head data, the Xeon W5580 wins all 5 tests (winsA: 5, winsB: 0). The Core i7-5600U only has additional Geekbench scores listed (multicore 1750, singlecore 917), but no Xeon W5580 Geekbench results exist for comparison.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon W5580 has an average benchmark score of 1012, placing it at the 28th percentile of all CPUs. The Core i7-5600U averages 1005, at the 27th percentile. Their nearest rivals are nearly identical in performance: the Xeon matches the Core i7-2675QM (0% delta), while the i7-5600U matches the Core i7-2630QM (0% delta).

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Xeon W5580 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Core i7-5600U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Despite having half the cores, the i7-5600U trails by only about 16% in multi-core tests, showing the efficiency of its newer architecture.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Core i7-5600U, which includes Intel HD 5500. The Xeon W5580 has no integrated graphics, meaning a discrete GPU is mandatory for any display output.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Xeon W5580 has a 130 W TDP. The Core i7-5600U has a 15 W TDP — a difference of 115 W. This makes the i7-5600U suitable for thin-and-light laptops, while the Xeon requires substantial cooling.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Xeon W5580 wins every CPU-bound test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 296 versus 255 for the i7-5600U, a 16.1% lead. The margin stays consistent at 15.9% in R20 multi-core (1234 vs 1065) and R23 multi-core (2940 vs 2537). Single-core results follow the same pattern, with the Xeon ahead by 16% in R20 (174 vs 150) and 15.9% in R23 (415 vs 358). The Xeon's advantage stems from its 4 cores/8 threads versus 2 cores/4 threads, plus its higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 2.60 GHz.

The Core i7-5600U wins where the benchmarks do not measure: power consumption and integration. Its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the Xeon's 130 W, enabling passive cooling and extended battery life. It also includes Intel HD 5500 graphics, eliminating the need for a separate GPU. For mobile productivity, the i7-5600U's 4 MB shared L3 cache and 25.6 GB/s dual-channel memory bandwidth are sufficient, while the Xeon's 8 MB cache and 32.0 GB/s triple-channel bandwidth serve compute-heavy server tasks.

The data shows no scenario where the i7-5600U beats the Xeon in raw compute. However, the i7-5600U's existence as a mobile chip with integrated graphics means it wins in system-level portability — a factor no Cinebench score captures. The Xeon wins every measurable benchmark; the i7-5600U wins the unmeasured categories of size, heat, and power draw.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are separated by six years of Intel process technology. The Xeon W5580 uses the 45 nm Nehalem architecture (codename Gainestown), while the Core i7-5600U uses the 14 nm Broadwell architecture (codename Broadwell-U). The transistor counts reflect this gap: 731 million on the Xeon versus 1,300 million on the i7-5600U. Die size tells the opposite story — the Xeon measures 263 mm², while the i7-5600U is just 82 mm², showing how 14 nm allowed Intel to pack more transistors into less space.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. Both share 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the Xeon has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, double the i7-5600U's 4 MB. Memory support is also divergent: the Xeon uses triple-channel DDR3 with 32.0 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory support, while the i7-5600U uses dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s and no ECC. The Xeon's ECC capability makes it suitable for error-sensitive server workloads, a feature absent from the mobile chip.

Both use PCIe Gen 2, but the i7-5600U specifies 12 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon's lane count is not listed in the data. The i7-5600U includes integrated Intel HD 5500 graphics; the Xeon has none, reflecting its server/workstation market segment. The Xeon's socket is Intel Socket 1366, while the i7-5600U uses Intel BGA 1168 — the former is socketed for replaceability, the latter is soldered for compactness.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the FACT PACK:

| Specification | Intel Xeon W5580 | Intel Core i7-5600U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.47 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 130 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1366 | Intel BGA 1168 |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Broadwell |

| Codename | Gainestown | Broadwell-U |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 731 million | 1,300 million |

| Die Size | 263 mm² | 82 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 32.0 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 5500 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2009-03-29 | 2015-02-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $1600 | $393 |

| Part Number | SLBF2 | SR23V |

Both support DDR3 memory and PCIe Gen 2. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both are end-of-life products.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent, narrow margin favoring the Xeon W5580 across every test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 296 against 255 for the i7-5600U, a 16.1% advantage. That margin tightens to 15.9% in R20 multi-core (1234 vs 1065) and holds at 15.9% in R23 multi-core (2940 vs 2537). The single-core results are nearly identical in relative terms: R20 single-core gives the Xeon a 16% lead (174 vs 150), and R23 single-core shows 15.9% (415 vs 358).

The most striking finding is the consistency of the margin. Across five different benchmarks spanning three Cinebench versions, the Xeon's lead never dips below 15.9% or rises above 16.1%. This suggests the performance gap is structural — driven by the Xeon's 4-core/8-thread configuration and higher 3.20 GHz base clock versus the i7-5600U's 2-core/4-thread design at 2.60 GHz. The i7-5600U's newer 14 nm process and 1,300 million transistors cannot overcome the core-count deficit in these multi-threaded tests.

Notably, the i7-5600U has additional Geekbench scores (multicore 1750, singlecore 917) that are not matched by any Xeon W5580 result in the data. This absence prevents a direct comparison in that suite. However, the available Cinebench data is unambiguous: the Xeon wins all 5 head-to-head tests with zero losses. The average benchmark scores reinforce this — 1012 for the Xeon versus 1005 for the i7-5600U — placing both at the 28th and 27th percentiles respectively, a difference of only 7 points.

The Verdict

Pick the Intel Xeon W5580 if your priority is raw compute throughput. It wins every benchmark in the data, with a 15.9% to 16.1% advantage over the Core i7-5600U across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with 8 MB of shared L3 cache and triple-channel DDR3 memory at 32.0 GB/s, make it the stronger choice for multi-threaded server or workstation workloads. The 130 W TDP and absence of integrated graphics demand a dedicated GPU and robust cooling, but the benchmark data justifies that overhead for processing-heavy tasks.

Pick the Intel Core i7-5600U if system power and integration matter more than peak performance. Its 15 W TDP is 115 W lower than the Xeon's, enabling fanless designs and long battery life. The integrated Intel HD 5500 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU, and the 14 nm process delivers 1,300 million transistors in an 82 mm² die — a fraction of the Xeon's 263 mm². While it trails by ~16% in every Cinebench test, that gap is modest given its mobile positioning. For a laptop or embedded system where every watt counts, the i7-5600U is the data-backed choice.

The verdict is split by design intent. The Xeon W5580 is a server/workstation part from 2009 with a $1600 launch MSRP, built for sustained multi-core performance. The i7-5600U is a 2015 mobile part with a $393 launch MSRP, built for efficiency. Neither processor satisfies the other's use case. Benchmark results indicate the Xeon is faster; the i7-5600U is more efficient. Choose accordingly.