Intel Core i7-6700T vs Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-6700T and Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 are both end-of-life, four-core, eight-thread Intel processors, but they target different corners of the market. The i7-6700T is a low-power desktop part built for efficiency, while the Xeon E3-1285 v4 is a higher-clocked server/workstation chip with ECC memory support. Benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy: the Xeon wins every single head-to-head test, but the i7-6700T counters with a dramatically lower thermal envelope and a more modern memory interface. The choice between them depends entirely on whether you prioritize raw compute throughput or system-level power efficiency.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E3-1285 v4 is the outright performance winner in every benchmark category recorded. Across six Cinebench tests—spanning R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core modes—the Xeon posts a win in 100% of cases. Its largest margin comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it leads by 10%, while its smallest advantage is a 9.7% edge in R15 single-core. This consistency suggests the Xeon’s higher base and boost clocks translate directly into sustained compute advantages, making it the better choice for workloads that are heavily threaded or depend on per-core speed.

The Core i7-6700T, conversely, wins on the metrics that matter for compact or thermally constrained builds. Its 35W TDP is less than half of the Xeon’s 95W TDP, making it the obvious pick for small-form-factor systems, silent PCs, or any chassis where heat dissipation is a concern. The i7-6700T also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, giving builders flexibility in platform choice, whereas the Xeon is locked to DDR3. For users who value low idle power and modest cooling requirements over peak performance, the i7-6700T is the rational selection.

In absolute terms, both processors land in the same performance percentile—43rd among all CPUs—and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1918 for the i7-6700T versus 1908 for the Xeon. This parity in aggregate scores masks the fact that the Xeon wins every head-to-head test, but it also shows that the i7-6700T’s efficiency-focused design does not come at a catastrophic performance cost. The Xeon’s wins are real but modest, typically around 10%.

Architecture Differences

The two chips are built on the same 14nm process node but represent different architectural generations. The i7-6700T uses the Skylake architecture, while the Xeon E3-1285 v4 is based on Broadwell-DT. Skylake is the newer design, and the i7-6700T’s memory controller reflects this: it supports both DDR3 and DDR4, whereas the Broadwell-based Xeon supports only DDR3. This gives the i7-6700T a platform advantage, as it can be paired with newer DDR4 boards and memory, despite the Xeon’s higher clock speeds.

Cache configurations also differ. The i7-6700T has 8MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E3-1285 v4 has 6MB. Both have 64KB of L1 and 256KB of L2 per core. The i7-6700T’s larger L3 cache could help in workloads with repeated data access, though the benchmark results suggest the Xeon’s clock advantage overcomes any cache deficit. The Xeon also has a larger die size at 182 mm², though the i7-6700T’s die size is not listed in the data.

Integrated graphics differ significantly. The i7-6700T ships with HD Graphics 530, while the Xeon includes Intel Iris Pro P6300. The Iris Pro part is the more capable GPU, which is notable for a Xeon—typically server chips lack strong iGPUs. This makes the Xeon more versatile for light graphics work without a discrete card, though the i7-6700T’s graphics are still present for basic display output.

Socket compatibility is another divergence. The i7-6700T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Xeon uses the older Intel Socket 1150. This means the two chips are not interchangeable on the same motherboard, and any platform decision locks you into one or the other. The i7-6700T also has a newer generation label (Core i7 Skylake) versus the Xeon’s Broadwell-DT generation, though both are end-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E3-1285 v4 sweeps all six recorded head-to-head comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 664 against the i7-6700T’s 599, a 9.8% lead. Single-core R15 shows a similar gap: 93 versus 84, a 9.7% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon’s multi-core score is 2770 versus 2496, a 9.9% lead, and its single-core score is 391 versus 352, a 10% edge. The largest absolute difference appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Xeon hits 6596 versus 5943—a 9.9% margin—while single-core R23 sees 931 versus 839, another 9.9% gap.

These numbers tell a consistent story: the Xeon’s 3.50GHz base clock and 3.80GHz boost clock—versus the i7-6700T’s 2.80GHz base and 3.60GHz boost—deliver roughly a 10% performance uplift across every workload tested. The margin is remarkably stable, suggesting the Xeon’s advantage is clock-driven rather than architecture-driven. The i7-6700T’s larger L3 cache and newer Skylake core do not close the gap, at least in Cinebench’s rendering workloads.

Notably, the i7-6700T has additional Geekbench scores—3906 multi-core and 1128 single-core—that are not available for the Xeon. These scores place the i7-6700T in the 43rd percentile globally, matching the Xeon’s percentile. This suggests that in other benchmark suites, the two chips might be closer than Cinebench alone implies, but the head-to-head data provided shows no scenario where the i7-6700T wins.

Specification Differences

The most striking difference is TDP: the i7-6700T draws 35W, while the Xeon E3-1285 v4 draws 95W. This is a 60W gap that defines their respective use cases. Clock speeds also favor the Xeon, with a 3.50GHz base and 3.80GHz boost versus the i7-6700T’s 2.80GHz base and 3.60GHz boost. The Xeon’s 0.7GHz base-clock advantage and 0.2GHz boost-clock advantage explain its benchmark lead.

Memory support diverges sharply. The i7-6700T supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the Xeon supports only DDR3. Memory bandwidth follows suit: the i7-6700T offers 34.1 GB/s, while the Xeon offers 29.9 GB/s. ECC memory is exclusive to the Xeon, a critical feature for server or workstation reliability. The socket differs (1151 vs 1150), and the integrated GPU is different (HD Graphics 530 vs Intel Iris Pro P6300). The Xeon also has a listed die size of 182 mm², while the i7-6700T’s is not specified.

L3 cache favors the i7-6700T at 8MB versus the Xeon’s 6MB. The market segments are also different: the i7-6700T is a desktop part, while the Xeon is a server/workstation part. Both have locked multipliers and are end-of-life, but the Xeon launched earlier in 2015, with the i7-6700T following later that same year.

FAQ

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

A: The Xeon E3-1285 v4 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 664 vs 599 in R15, 2770 vs 2496 in R20, and 6596 vs 5943 in R23, each a roughly 9.8-9.9% lead.

Q: Does the Core i7-6700T offer any advantage over the Xeon?

A: Yes, primarily in power efficiency. The i7-6700T has a 35W TDP versus the Xeon’s 95W TDP. It also supports DDR4 memory, offers more L3 cache (8MB vs 6MB), and has higher memory bandwidth at 34.1 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s.

Q: Can I use ECC memory with either processor?

A: Only the Xeon E3-1285 v4 supports ECC memory. The Core i7-6700T does not, which makes the Xeon the only choice for error-correcting memory in this comparison.

Q: Are these two CPUs compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The i7-6700T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1150. They are not interchangeable.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical. The i7-6700T has an average benchmark score of 1918, while the Xeon scores 1908. Both sit in the 43rd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which chip has the higher clock speed?

A: The Xeon E3-1285 v4 has higher clocks: a 3.50GHz base and 3.80GHz boost, compared to the i7-6700T’s 2.80GHz base and 3.60GHz boost.