Intel Core i7-5775R vs Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 and the Intel Core i7-5775R are both 14 nm quad-core processors with eight threads, but they target different segments: the Xeon is a server/workstation part on Socket 1151, while the i7 is a desktop processor on BGA 1364. Benchmark data shows a consistent performance gap, with the Xeon leading in every recorded Cinebench test, though the i7 counters with a stronger integrated GPU and lower power draw. The following analysis breaks down where each chip wins, answers common questions, and details the architectural and specification differences.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous in raw compute performance: the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks, with a delta of 11.1% or 11.2% over the Core i7-5775R in every test. This spans both multi-core and single-core workloads, from Cinebench R15 to R23. For users prioritizing CPU throughput—rendering, compiling, or any threaded workload—the Xeon is the clear choice.

However, the Core i7-5775R has its own advantages outside of the Cinebench suite. It features Iris Pro Graphics 6200, a significantly more capable integrated GPU compared to the Xeon’s HD Graphics P530. While the FACT PACK provides no graphics benchmarks, the presence of Iris Pro indicates a clear win for systems relying on iGPU output. Additionally, the i7-5775R has a lower TDP of 65 W versus 80 W, making it more power-efficient for compact or thermally constrained builds. The i7 also supports only DDR3 memory, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, giving the Xeon a memory flexibility advantage.

In terms of market positioning, the Xeon’s ECC memory support makes it suitable for reliability-focused server or workstation tasks, while the i7’s desktop segment and lower power envelope suit general consumer use. The Xeon’s higher base and boost clocks (3.60/4.00 GHz vs 3.30/3.80 GHz) directly contribute to its benchmark wins, but the i7’s smaller cache (6 MB vs 8 MB) and lower memory bandwidth (29.9 GB/s vs 34.1 GB/s) further reinforce the Xeon’s lead in compute-heavy scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 has an average benchmark score of 2043, while the Intel Core i7-5775R scores 2031. The Xeon is slightly ahead, and its nearest rival (AMD Ryzen 5 7520U) is within 0.1% of its score.

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

A: No. In the head-to-head comparison, the Xeon E3-1275 v5 wins all six tests (Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core). The i7-5775R has zero wins.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is 11.2%, seen in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Xeon scores 418 versus the i7’s 376. All other tests show an 11.1% gap, such as Cinebench R23 multi-core (7065 vs 6360).

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 supports ECC memory. The Core i7-5775R does not, making the Xeon the choice for error-correcting memory in workstation or server environments.

Q: How do their integrated GPUs differ?

A: The Xeon E3-1275 v5 has HD Graphics P530, while the Core i7-5775R has Iris Pro Graphics 6200. The i7’s Iris Pro is a more advanced integrated solution, though no benchmark scores are provided for either GPU.

Q: What are the launch MSRPs of each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 had a launch MSRP of $350, and the Intel Core i7-5775R had a launch MSRP of $384.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a uniform pattern: the Xeon E3-1275 v5 outperforms the Core i7-5775R by roughly 11% across all Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 712 against the i7’s 641, a delta of 11.1%. The single-core R15 test shows 100 versus 90, also 11.1%. This consistency suggests a clock-speed advantage rather than architectural superiority, given the Xeon’s higher 3.60 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost clocks.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 2967 for the Xeon and 2671 for the i7, again an 11.1% gap. The single-core test shows 418 versus 376, with the only delta of 11.2% in the entire dataset. This slight outlier may reflect thermal or boost behavior, but it does not change the overall picture. In Cinebench R23, the Xeon scores 7065 multi-core and 997 single-core, while the i7 scores 6360 and 897, respectively—both 11.1% behind.

These results align with the average benchmark scores: the Xeon’s 2043 sits just above the i7’s 2031, a difference of 0.6%. The i7’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5, with a delta of 0%, indicating that the i7 is competitive with other Xeons in its class. Meanwhile, the Xeon E3-1275 v5’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, with a negligible -0.1% delta, showing that these two chips occupy similar performance tiers despite different architectures.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Xeon E3-1275 v5 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Core i7-5775R runs at 3.30 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The Xeon’s TDP is 80 W, compared to the i7’s 65 W, meaning the i7 draws less power. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, whereas the i7 uses Intel BGA 1364, which is soldered to the motherboard.

Memory support also differs: the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i7 only supports DDR3. The Xeon’s memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s, higher than the i7’s 29.9 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which the i7 does not. Both have dual-channel memory buses and Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The cache configurations are not identical: the Xeon has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7 has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The die size differs significantly—the Xeon is 122 mm², while the i7 is 182 mm²—likely due to the i7’s larger integrated GPU. The Xeon has 1,750 million transistors, while the i7’s transistor count is not listed. The Xeon’s integrated graphics is HD Graphics P530, while the i7’s is Iris Pro Graphics 6200.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are built on Intel’s 14 nm process, but they derive from different architectures: the Xeon E3-1275 v5 uses Skylake (codename Skylake-DT), while the Core i7-5775R uses Broadwell. This generational difference explains some of the performance gap, as Skylake is a newer microarchitecture with improved IPC over Broadwell.

The Xeon has a smaller die (122 mm² versus 182 mm²) despite having more L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). This suggests the i7’s larger die is dedicated to its Iris Pro Graphics 6200, which is a more powerful iGPU than the Xeon’s HD Graphics P530. The Xeon’s transistor count is 1,750 million, while the i7’s is not provided, making direct comparison difficult.

The Xeon E3-1275 v5 is part of the Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) generation, targeting server/workstation use, while the i7-5775R belongs to the Core i7 (Broadwell) generation for desktop. The Xeon’s support for ECC memory and DDR4 aligns with its professional positioning, whereas the i7’s DDR3-only support and BGA socket suggest a more consumer-oriented design. Both are end-of-life products, but the Xeon’s release date is 2015-10-18, while the i7’s is 2015-05-14, making the i7 earlier.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 is the superior choice for any workload measured by Cinebench. It wins all six head-to-head tests with margins of 11.1% to 11.2%, has a higher average benchmark score (2043 vs 2031), and offers ECC memory support plus DDR4 compatibility. The Xeon’s higher clocks and larger L3 cache are the likely drivers of this consistent lead. For users who need raw CPU compute, especially in server or workstation contexts, the Xeon is the clear pick.

The Core i7-5775R is not without merit. Its Iris Pro Graphics 6200 is a more capable integrated GPU, making it attractive for builds without a discrete graphics card, though no benchmark data quantifies this advantage. Its lower 65 W TDP also makes it more power-efficient, which could matter in small form factor or low-noise systems. However, its lower clock speeds, smaller cache, and lack of ECC support mean it falls behind the Xeon in every recorded CPU benchmark.

In summary, the Xeon E3-1275 v5 is the stronger processor for compute-intensive tasks and professional applications, while the Core i7-5775R appeals to users prioritizing integrated graphics performance and power efficiency. The 11% performance delta is consistent and decisive in favor of the Xeon, but the i7’s unique features justify its existence for niche use cases.