Intel Core i7-5930K vs Intel Xeon D-1567 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5930K and Intel Xeon D-1567 are two very different Intel processors that end up with nearly identical average benchmark scores, making their comparison a study in how architecture, core count, and platform choices shape performance. The data shows the Xeon D-1567 wins every single head-to-head benchmark listed, while the Core i7-5930K counters with a higher base clock, more PCIe lanes, and an unlocked multiplier. This places both processors at the 51st percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2775 for the i7-5930K and 2770 for the Xeon D-1567, a negligible 0.2% difference.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-5930K leads marginally, with an average benchmark score of 2775 compared to the Intel Xeon D-1567’s 2770. The delta between them is 0.2%, placing both at the 51st percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core performance?

A: The Xeon D-1567 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 965 in R15 multi-core versus 886 for the i7-5930K, 4022 in R20 multi-core versus 3692, and 9578 in R23 multi-core versus 8791. Each win represents a consistent 8.2% advantage for the Xeon.

Q: Is the single-core performance also in favor of the Xeon?

A: Yes, the Xeon D-1567 also wins every single-core test. It leads with 136 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 125, 567 in R20 single-core versus 521, and 1352 in R23 single-core versus 1241. These margins range from 8.1% to 8.2% in favor of the Xeon.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-5930K has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon D-1567 doubles that with 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1567 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-5930K does not. This is a key differentiator for server and workstation reliability use cases.

Q: What is the difference in their TDP ratings?

A: The Intel Core i7-5930K has a TDP of 140 watts, whereas the Intel Xeon D-1567 is rated at a much lower 65 watts, reflecting the Xeon’s power efficiency focus.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous in performance terms: the Intel Xeon D-1567 wins every benchmark listed in the head-to-head comparison. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, the Xeon D-1567 is the superior choice based on the numbers. Its 8.2% lead in multi-core Cinebench tests and 8.1-8.2% lead in single-core tests are consistent across all three versions of the benchmark. The Xeon also offers double the core count (12 versus 6), ECC memory support, and a significantly lower TDP of 65 watts versus 140 watts.

However, the Intel Core i7-5930K is not without its advantages for specific scenarios. It features a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus 2.10 GHz and a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 2.70 GHz. It also provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes compared to the Xeon’s 24, and its multiplier is unlocked, allowing for overclocking. For a desktop user with a compatible Intel Socket 2011-3 motherboard who values those platform features, the i7-5930K remains a viable option, even if it loses on raw benchmark scores.

The verdict is straightforward: choose the Xeon D-1567 for maximum performance per benchmark data and server-oriented features like ECC; choose the i7-5930K for its desktop platform characteristics, higher clocks, and PCIe lane count, accepting the lower benchmark scores.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison is a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon D-1567, which wins all six listed tests. The largest margins are in the multi-core tests, where the Xeon maintains a steady 8.2% advantage. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 965 against the i7-5930K’s 886. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with the Xeon at 4022 and the i7-5930K at 3692, and again in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with scores of 9578 and 8791 respectively.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though the margins are slightly tighter. The Xeon D-1567 wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 136 points versus 125, a difference of 8.1%. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 567 against 521, also an 8.1% lead. The final test, Cinebench R23 single-core, shows the Xeon at 1352 and the i7-5930K at 1241, an 8.2% advantage.

Notably, the i7-5930K does not win a single head-to-head benchmark in this data set. The Xeon’s wins are not marginal flukes; they are consistent across both single-core and multi-core workloads and across all three Cinebench versions. The data suggests the Xeon D-1567 has a systematic performance edge in these rendering tasks, despite the i7-5930K’s higher clock speeds. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this near-parity, with the i7-5930K at 2775 and the Xeon at 2770, but the head-to-head results show the Xeon is the stronger performer in every direct comparison.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their core specifications. The Intel Core i7-5930K is built on the Haswell architecture with a 22 nm process node, while the Intel Xeon D-1567 uses the Broadwell architecture on a 14 nm node. The i7-5930K has 6 cores and 12 threads, whereas the Xeon D-1567 offers 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks differ notably, with the i7-5930K at 3.50 GHz and the Xeon at 2.10 GHz; boost clocks are 3.70 GHz and 2.70 GHz, respectively.

The Xeon D-1567 has a lower TDP of 65 watts compared to the i7-5930K’s 140 watts. Socket compatibility also separates them: the i7-5930K uses Intel Socket 2011-3, while the Xeon D-1567 uses Intel BGA 1667. The i7-5930K supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the Xeon D-1567 supports dual-channel DDR3 and DDR4 memory, with no bandwidth figure listed. ECC memory is supported only by the Xeon D-1567. In terms of PCIe, the i7-5930K provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes, while the Xeon D-1567 provides Gen 3 with 24 lanes. The i7-5930K has an unlocked multiplier, the Xeon does not. The market segments differ as well, with the i7-5930K classified as Desktop and the Xeon as Server/Workstation.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two Intel parts is a core-count versus clock-speed tradeoff. The i7-5930K, from the Haswell-E family, packs 2,600 million transistors into a 356 mm² die on a 22 nm process. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 15 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon D-1567, from the Broadwell-DE family, integrates 3,200 million transistors into a smaller 246 mm² die on a 14 nm process. Its cache is organized differently, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core.

The node advantage goes to the Xeon D-1567, which uses a smaller 14 nm process compared to the i7-5930K’s 22 nm. This likely contributes to the Xeon’s lower TDP of 65 watts versus 140 watts, despite having double the cores. The Xeon’s larger transistor count and per-core L3 cache design suggest a focus on scaling across many threads, while the i7-5930K’s higher clocks and shared 15 MB L3 cache indicate a desktop-oriented design optimized for lower-thread-count workloads. The i7-5930K is marked as end-of-life, while the Xeon D-1567 is still active in production. The Xeon D-1567 also carries a launch MSRP of 1199.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the Intel Xeon D-1567 wins in every measured performance category. It is the clear choice for workloads that stress both single-core and multi-core performance as captured by Cinebench tests. Its 12-core, 24-thread configuration, combined with ECC memory support, makes it suited for server and workstation tasks where data integrity and parallel throughput are critical. The consistent 8.2% lead in multi-core tests indicates a robust advantage for heavily threaded applications like 3D rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing. Its lower 65-watt TDP also makes it a more power-efficient option for always-on systems.

The Intel Core i7-5930K, despite losing all benchmarks, has specific platform advantages that matter in desktop scenarios. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.50 GHz and 3.70 GHz versus 2.10 GHz and 2.70 GHz) suggest it may offer snappier response in lightly threaded tasks, even though the benchmark data shows the Xeon winning single-core tests. The i7-5930K’s 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus the Xeon’s 24 is a significant advantage for systems with multiple GPUs or high-bandwidth expansion cards. Its unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, which the Xeon does not permit. For desktop enthusiasts on Socket 2011-3 who prioritize PCIe expansion and overclocking capability over raw benchmark scores, the i7-5930K holds a niche appeal. However, the data is clear: for pure performance as measured by these benchmarks, the Xeon D-1567 is the winner.