Intel Core i7-6700T vs Intel Xeon D-1531 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700T has an average benchmark score of 1918, while the Intel Xeon D-1531 has an average benchmark score of 1885. The Core i7-6700T is ahead by 33 points, a difference of roughly 1.7%.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1531 wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test with a score of 6517, compared to the Core i7-6700T's 5943. The Xeon leads by 8.8% in this workload.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon D-1531 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-6700T does not. The Core i7-6700T uses non-ECC memory only.

Q: What is the TDP of both processors?

A: Both the Intel Core i7-6700T and the Intel Xeon D-1531 have a TDP of 35 watts, making them equally power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1531 provides 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), compared to 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) on the Intel Core i7-6700T.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare in Geekbench?

A: The Geekbench single-core score is only recorded for the Intel Core i7-6700T at 1128. The Intel Xeon D-1531 does not have a Geekbench score listed in the database.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear, if narrow, picture: the Intel Xeon D-1531 is the faster processor in every recorded multi-core and single-core test. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the Xeon D-1531 consistently outperforms the Core i7-6700T by roughly 8.7% to 8.8%. This is a uniform margin, indicating that the Xeon's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general throughput lead.

For users prioritizing raw compute performance, the Intel Xeon D-1531 is the better choice. Its six cores and twelve threads deliver higher scores in every Cinebench iteration. The data shows no scenario where the Core i7-6700T takes the lead. The Xeon also brings ECC memory support and more PCIe lanes, making it more suited for reliability-focused or expansion-heavy server and workstation builds.

However, the Intel Core i7-6700T should not be dismissed. Its average benchmark score of 1918 is actually higher than the Xeon's 1885, due to the inclusion of Geekbench results in the Core i7-6700T's average. The Core i7-6700T also has a higher boost clock (3.60 GHz versus 2.70 GHz) and a desktop Socket 1151, which is more common and easier to integrate into standard desktop motherboards. For a desktop user who does not require ECC memory or the Xeon's extra PCIe lanes, the Core i7-6700T offers a familiar platform with adequate performance.

The verdict is simple: pick the Intel Xeon D-1531 for raw compute and server-grade features. Pick the Intel Core i7-6700T for a desktop-oriented package with a conventional socket and a higher average database score. The Xeon's 6-0 win record in head-to-head benchmarks is the decisive metric.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are one-sided. The Intel Xeon D-1531 wins all six recorded benchmarks, with a consistent lead of 8.7% or 8.8%.

In Cinebench R15, the multi-core test shows the Xeon D-1531 scoring 656 against the Core i7-6700T's 599. The Xeon wins by 8.7%. The single-core test in R15 follows the same pattern: 92 versus 84, again an 8.7% margin. This consistency across both multi-core and single-core suggests that the Xeon's per-core performance is also superior, not just its core count.

Cinebench R20 confirms the trend. The multi-core score is 2737 for the Xeon D-1531 and 2496 for the Core i7-6700T, a delta of 8.8%. The single-core score is 386 versus 352, also an 8.8% lead. The margin widens slightly from R15 to R20, but the difference is marginal.

Cinebench R23, the most modern test in the dataset, repeats the narrative. The Xeon D-1531 scores 6517 multi-core, while the Core i7-6700T scores 5943. The single-core results are 920 versus 839. Both deltas are 8.8%. The Xeon D-1531's advantage is consistent across rendering workloads that stress both short and long durations.

The Core i7-6700T has no wins in the head-to-head data. Its only consolation is the Geekbench scores, which are not included in the head-to-head table. The Geekbench multi-core result for the Core i7-6700T is 3906, and the single-core is 1128. The Xeon D-1531 has no Geekbench scores recorded, so no comparison can be made there.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the Core i7-6700T's 1918 average is 33 points higher than the Xeon D-1531's 1885. This is because the database includes Geekbench results for the Core i7-6700T, which boost its average. The Xeon D-1531's average is based solely on Cinebench scores. Users should rely on the head-to-head Cinebench results to see the true performance relationship.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications beyond performance.

Cores and Threads: The Intel Xeon D-1531 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i7-6700T has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon offers 2 additional cores and 4 additional threads.

Clock Speeds: The Core i7-6700T has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Xeon D-1531 has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 2.70 GHz. The Core i7 runs at higher clocks, but this does not translate to higher benchmark scores.

Socket: The Core i7-6700T uses the Intel Socket 1151. The Xeon D-1531 uses the Intel BGA 1667. The BGA socket is soldered, meaning the Xeon is not upgradeable, while the LGA 1151 socket is replaceable.

Memory Support: Both support DDR3 and DDR4 memory, both with dual-channel memory bus. However, the Core i7-6700T has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Xeon D-1531's memory bandwidth is not recorded. ECC memory is only supported on the Xeon D-1531.

PCIe Lanes: The Xeon D-1531 has 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7-6700T has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Xeon more expansion headroom.

Integrated Graphics: The Core i7-6700T includes integrated HD Graphics 530. The Xeon D-1531 has no integrated graphics.

Market Segment and Status: The Core i7-6700T is a Desktop processor that is end-of-life. The Xeon D-1531 is a Server/Workstation processor that is still active in production.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different microarchitectures. The Intel Core i7-6700T uses the Skylake architecture, while the Intel Xeon D-1531 uses the Broadwell architecture. Both are built on the same 14 nm process node and manufactured by Intel.

The Core i7-6700T has a 8 MB shared L3 cache. The Xeon D-1531 has a 1.5 MB per-core L3 cache, which totals 9 MB across six cores. The L1 and L2 caches are identical: 64 KB per core for L1 and 256 KB per core for L2.

The Xeon D-1531's cache structure is per-core rather than shared, which can be beneficial for certain multi-threaded workloads. The Core i7-6700T's shared L3 cache is smaller overall (8 MB versus 9 MB) but is pooled for all four cores.

The Xeon D-1531 has a larger die size of 246 mm² and 3,200 million transistors. The Core i7-6700T's die size and transistor count are not recorded in the database.

The Xeon D-1531's architecture supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server reliability. The Core i7-6700T lacks this capability.

Notably, the Xeon D-1531 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for server processors. The Core i7-6700T includes HD Graphics 530, making it a complete desktop package without requiring a dedicated GPU.

Both processors have unlocked multipliers set to false, meaning they cannot be overclocked. The Xeon D-1531 also lacks the Core i7-6700T's Geekbench results, so its performance profile is based solely on Cinebench. The data shows a clear architectural tradeoff: the Xeon D-1531 offers more cores, more cache, and ECC support, while the Core i7-6700T offers higher clocks, integrated graphics, and a desktop socket. The benchmark results favor the Xeon D-1531 across the board.