Intel Core i7-5700HQ vs Intel Xeon D-1528 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon D-1528 across all six shared Cinebench tests, but the margins are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon D-1528 scores 584 against the Core i7-5700HQ's 519, a 12.5% advantage. That same 12.5% delta repeats in R20 multicore (2435 versus 2164) and R23 multicore (5799 versus 5154). The pattern is striking: the Xeon D-1528 leads by exactly 12.5% in every multicore test where both processors appear.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though with slightly different margins. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon D-1528 posts 82 versus 73, a 12.3% lead. The R20 single-core result shows 343 against 305, again a 12.5% delta, and R23 single-core lands at 818 versus 727, preserving that same 12.5% gap. The consistency across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads suggests this is not a workload-specific quirk but a fundamental performance differential baked into the silicon.

The Core i7-5700HQ does hold two additional benchmarks that the Xeon D-1528 does not share, Geekbench multicore at 3129 and Geekbench single-core at 1085. Since the Xeon D-1528 has no recorded Geekbench scores in this database, those results stand as the i7's only measured victories, though they cannot be directly compared head-to-head.

Looking at average benchmark scores, the Xeon D-1528 records 1677 against the i7-5700HQ's 1645. That 1.9% gap in overall average is much narrower than the Cinebench deltas, which indicates the Geekbench results are pulling the i7 closer to parity in the aggregate. Both processors sit at the 40th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same tier of overall performance despite the Xeon's consistent Cinebench wins.

The nearest rivals for each chip provide useful context. The Xeon D-1528's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-6700TE, which scores 1666, a 0.6% deficit to the Xeon. The Core i7-5850HQ and Core i7-3770K both score 1688, each trailing the Xeon by 0.6%. The Core i5-4690K at 1682 is 0.3% off the Xeon's pace. For the i7-5700HQ, the nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-4810MQ at 1651, which leads the i7 by 0.4%. The AMD Opteron 6380 trails by 0.1% at 1643, while the Intel Core i5-5675R leads by 0.2% at 1648, and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G trails by 0.3% at 1640. These tight deltas around both chips reinforce the idea that neither processor is dramatically out of step with its contemporaries.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1528 wins every shared multi-core test. It scores 584 versus 519 in R15, 2435 versus 2164 in R20, and 5799 versus 5154 in R23, each representing a 12.5% advantage over the Core i7-5700HQ.

Q: Does the Core i7-5700HQ win any benchmark where both have scores?

A: No. Across all six shared Cinebench tests, the Xeon D-1528 wins all of them. The i7-5700HQ only has Geekbench scores (3129 multicore, 1085 single-core) that are not present in the Xeon's recorded data, so those cannot be compared directly.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark scores?

A: The Xeon D-1528 records an average benchmark score of 1677, while the Core i7-5700HQ records 1645. The Xeon leads by 1.9%, a narrower margin than the Cinebench deltas because the i7's Geekbench results are included in its average but not in the Xeon's.

Q: What percentile do these chips occupy among all CPUs?

A: Both the Intel Xeon D-1528 and the Intel Core i7-5700HQ sit at the 40th percentile among all CPUs in the database. They are performance peers in the broader ranking, even though head-to-head Cinebench data favors the Xeon.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Xeon D-1528 scores 818 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Core i7-5700HQ scores 727. The Xeon leads by 12.5% in this test.

Q: Are there any benchmark categories where the Core i7-5700HQ shows an advantage?

A: The database records no shared benchmark where the i7-5700HQ wins. Its Geekbench scores are its only distinct measured results, and they cannot be compared to the Xeon because the Xeon lacks equivalent Geekbench entries.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process and share the Broadwell microarchitecture, but they diverge significantly in their specific implementations. The Xeon D-1528 belongs to the Broadwell-DE generation, a server-oriented variant, while the Core i7-5700HQ is part of the Broadwell-H family, aimed at desktop mobile platforms. Despite sharing the same foundation, the two chips were engineered for different environments.

The most obvious architectural split is in core count. The Xeon D-1528 packs 6 cores with 12 threads, while the Core i7-5700HQ offers only 4 cores and 8 threads. This two-core difference explains much of the Xeon's multicore advantage, though the performance delta of 12.5% is smaller than the 50% core count increase might suggest, indicating that per-core efficiency and clock speed play significant roles.

Cache organization differs as well. The Xeon D-1528 provides 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core, while the Core i7-5700HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. With 6 cores, the Xeon's total L3 cache reaches 9 MB, though the database does not list a total L3 figure for either chip. The per-core allocation on the Xeon is designed for server workloads where each core may access different data sets, whereas the shared pool on the i7 benefits latency-sensitive consumer applications.

Memory support marks another architectural divide. The Xeon D-1528 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Core i7-5700HQ is limited to DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the i7 records a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, a figure the Xeon does not list. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server reliability, while the i7 lacks ECC support entirely.

The integrated graphics situation separates them further. The Core i7-5700HQ includes Intel HD 5600 graphics, while the Xeon D-1528 has no integrated graphics listed. This makes the i7 a self-contained mobile solution, whereas the Xeon requires a discrete GPU or relies on its server role where graphics are often unnecessary.

PCIe lane counts differ as well. The Xeon D-1528 provides 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i7-5700HQ offers 16. The extra lanes on the Xeon accommodate server peripherals such as network cards, storage controllers, and multiple GPUs. The Xeon's die size is also larger at 246 mm² compared to the i7's 182 mm², and the Xeon packs 3,200 million transistors, a figure not recorded for the i7.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every specification field. The Xeon D-1528 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core i7-5700HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: the Xeon runs at 1900 MHz, while the i7 starts at 2700 MHz. Boost clocks also favor the i7, with 3500 MHz against the Xeon's 2500 MHz. Despite having lower clocks, the Xeon maintains a lower TDP of 35 watts versus the i7's 47 watts.

The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1667, while the i7 uses Intel BGA 1364. The Xeon's market segment is listed as Server/Workstation, whereas the i7 is classified as Desktop. Production status also differs, with the Xeon still active and the i7 marked end-of-life. Release dates show the i7 launched earlier in 2015, with the Xeon following later that same year.

The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i7 only supports DDR3. ECC memory is available on the Xeon but not the i7. The integrated graphics on the i7 (Intel HD 5600) have no counterpart on the Xeon. PCIe lane counts differ at 24 for the Xeon versus 16 for the i7. The launch MSRP for the Xeon D-1528 is $320, while the Core i7-5700HQ carries a launch MSRP of $378. Both processors have locked multipliers, and their part numbers are SR2DL for the Xeon and SR2BP for the i7.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1528 wins every benchmark where both processors have recorded scores. Its six Cinebench victories span both single-core and multi-core tests, with consistent 12.5% deltas. The Xeon's 6-core, 12-thread configuration, combined with lower power draw at 35 watts, makes it suited for server and workstation environments where sustained multi-threaded throughput matters and power efficiency is prized. Its ECC memory support and DDR4 compatibility further align it with reliability-focused deployments.

The Core i7-5700HQ, despite losing all shared benchmarks, holds advantages in areas the Xeon cannot match. Its higher base clock of 2700 MHz and boost clock of 3500 MHz give it a theoretical latency advantage in lightly threaded tasks, even if the recorded single-core Cinebench results do not reflect that. The integrated Intel HD 5600 graphics make it a self-contained solution for mobile or desktop systems without discrete GPUs. Its Geekbench scores, 3129 multicore and 1085 single-core, represent its only distinct measured benchmarks, though the Xeon has no comparable Geekbench data to challenge them.

The i7 also benefits from a smaller die size at 182 mm² versus the Xeon's 246 mm², which can imply lower manufacturing costs in high-volume consumer production. Its earlier release date in 2015 means it had a head start in the market, though it has since been marked end-of-life. The Xeon remains in active production, suggesting continued availability for server deployments.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear benchmark winner: the Intel Xeon D-1528 outperforms the Intel Core i7-5700HQ in every shared test, with a 12.5% margin across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Xeon achieves this while drawing 12 watts less power (35 versus 47) and supporting ECC memory and DDR4, features that matter in server environments. Its active production status and server/workstation market segment make it the sensible choice for workloads that demand sustained multi-threaded performance, reliability features, and lower power consumption.

The Core i7-5700HQ, however, is not without a role. Its integrated graphics, higher clock speeds, and earlier release make it a viable option for desktop or mobile systems where a discrete GPU is not required and where the 29.9 GB/s memory bandwidth (a figure the Xeon does not list) may suffice. Its Geekbench results, while not directly comparable, show it holds its own in the broader database ranking, sitting at the same 40th percentile as the Xeon.

The verdict from the recorded data: choose the Xeon D-1528 for server, workstation, or embedded deployments where ECC memory, DDR4 support, more cores, and lower TDP outweigh the i7's integrated graphics and higher clocks. Choose the Core i7-5700HQ for consumer systems where integrated graphics are essential, where the platform already uses DDR3, and where the higher boost clock might benefit bursty, lightly threaded tasks, accepting that it will trail the Xeon by 12.5% in Cinebench workloads. Both processors occupy the same performance percentile, but the Xeon's active status and feature set give it the edge for longevity and reliability-focused builds.