Intel Core i7-5775R vs Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 Comparison

Intel Core i7-5775R and Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread Intel processors from the same 14 nm generation era, yet they are built for different roles. The benchmark data shows a consistent and decisive performance gap: the Xeon E3-1260L v5 wins all six head-to-head tests, with the Core i7-5775R trailing by roughly 9% across every workload. Despite this, the two chips occupy different market segments, with the i7-5775R featuring integrated Iris Pro Graphics and the Xeon targeting server/workstation duties with ECC memory support. The data reveals a clear trade-off between raw compute throughput and platform features.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 wins every single benchmark comparison. Across all six tests—spanning Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core configurations—the Xeon holds a consistent advantage. The deltaPct values range from -9.1% to -9.4% in favor of the Xeon, meaning the i7-5775R trails by roughly nine percent in every workload category. There is no benchmark in which the Core i7-5775R comes out ahead; the winsB field shows 6 victories for the Xeon and 0 for the i7.

This is a rare scenario where one processor dominates another so uniformly. The i7-5775R's only potential advantage lies in its integrated graphics. The i7 features Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the Xeon E3-1260L v5 has no integrated graphics at all. For a system that requires a display output without a discrete GPU, the i7-5775R is the only viable choice between the two. However, in pure CPU-bound compute tasks—rendering, encoding, or any multi-threaded workload—the data shows the Xeon is consistently faster. The i7-5775R's higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus the Xeon's 2.90 GHz does not translate into a performance win, as the Xeon's higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.80 GHz appears to matter more in sustained workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different microarchitectures despite sharing the same 14 nm process node. The i7-5775R uses the Broadwell architecture (codename Broadwell), while the Xeon E3-1260L v5 is based on Skylake (codename Skylake-DT). This architectural gap explains much of the performance difference; Skylake's newer design delivers higher instructions-per-clock efficiency compared to Broadwell, which is reflected in the benchmark results.

Cache configurations also differ notably. Both chips have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the L3 cache differs: the i7-5775R has 6 MB shared, while the Xeon has 8 MB shared. This 33% larger L3 cache on the Xeon likely contributes to its performance advantage in memory-sensitive workloads. The die size also reflects the architectural differences: the i7-5775R measures 182 mm², while the Xeon is substantially smaller at 122 mm². The Xeon also lists 1,750 million transistors, while the i7's transistor count is not provided in the data.

Memory support is another key differentiator. The i7-5775R supports only DDR3 memory with dual-channel bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. The Xeon E3-1260L v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, with dual-channel bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s—roughly 14% higher peak bandwidth. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server and workstation reliability, while the i7 does not. Both processors use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data tells a consistent story across all six comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 707 versus the i7's 641, a delta of -9.3%. The single-core R15 test shows 99 versus 90, a -9.1% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 2946 (Xeon) versus 2671 (i7), again -9.3%, while single-core shows 415 versus 376, a -9.4% difference.

The pattern holds in the newer Cinebench R23 tests. Multi-core results show the Xeon at 7015 versus the i7 at 6360, a -9.3% deficit for the i7. Single-core R23 shows 990 versus 897, a -9.4% gap. Across all six tests, the Xeon's advantage is remarkably consistent, hovering between 9.1% and 9.4%. This uniformity suggests the performance difference is fundamental to the architecture rather than workload-specific.

The i7-5775R also has Geekbench scores in the data: 3996 multi-core and 1218 single-core. The Xeon does not have Geekbench results listed, so no direct comparison is possible there. However, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the i7 averages 2031, while the Xeon averages 2029. This near-parity in average score is misleading; it reflects the fact that the i7's Geekbench scores are relatively strong, while the Xeon's Cinebench scores are consistently higher. In the actual head-to-head tests, the Xeon wins every time.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 wins every multi-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 7015 versus the i7-5775R's 6360, a 9.3% advantage. The same pattern holds in R15 (707 vs 641) and R20 (2946 vs 2671).

Q: Does the Core i7-5775R win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the i7-5775R with 0 wins and the Xeon E3-1260L v5 with 6 wins. Every single-core and multi-core test favors the Xeon by roughly 9%.

Q: How do their cache sizes compare?

A: Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The Xeon E3-1260L v5 has 8 MB shared L3, while the i7-5775R has 6 MB shared L3. The Xeon's larger L3 cache is a likely contributor to its performance edge.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Only the Xeon E3-1260L v5 supports ECC memory. The i7-5775R does not. This makes the Xeon more suitable for server or workstation applications where data integrity is critical.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The i7-5775R includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the Xeon E3-1260L v5 has no integrated graphics. The i7 is the only choice if you need a display output without a separate graphics card.

Q: How do their memory bandwidth numbers compare?

A: The Xeon E3-1260L v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-5775R supports only DDR3 with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon's higher bandwidth and dual memory type support give it a memory subsystem advantage.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for raw CPU performance: the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks by a consistent margin of roughly 9%. This advantage spans both single-core and multi-core workloads, indicating a fundamental architectural superiority of Skylake over Broadwell. The Xeon also offers 8 MB L3 cache versus 6 MB, higher memory bandwidth at 34.1 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s, and ECC memory support. Its lower TDP of 45 watts versus 65 watts further adds to its appeal for power-conscious server deployments.

The i7-5775R's case rests entirely on its integrated Iris Pro Graphics 6200. For a desktop system that needs graphics output without a discrete GPU, the i7 is the only functional option. It also has a higher base clock (3.30 GHz vs 2.90 GHz), though the Xeon's boost clock is higher (3.90 GHz vs 3.80 GHz). The i7's average benchmark score of 2031 is marginally higher than the Xeon's 2029, but this is driven by Geekbench results that the Xeon lacks, not by head-to-head wins.

For compute-focused builds—rendering, server workloads, or any application that can use a discrete GPU—the Xeon E3-1260L v5 is the superior choice. Its 9% performance lead, larger cache, higher memory bandwidth, and ECC support make it the better processor on nearly every technical metric. The i7-5775R is only recommended for compact or integrated systems where its Iris Pro Graphics are essential and the performance deficit is acceptable.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-5775R | Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 |

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

| Architecture | Broadwell | Skylake |

| Codename | Broadwell | Skylake-DT |

| Generation | Core i7 (Broadwell) | Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Die Size | 182 mm² | 122 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,750 million |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Pro Graphics 6200 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2015-05-14 | 2015-10-18 |

| Launch MSRP | $384 | $294 |

| Part Number | SR2AL | SR2LH |