Intel Core i7-6700T vs Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 is the clear performance winner over the Intel Core i7-6700T in every recorded benchmark, with a consistent 13% advantage across single-core and multi-core tests. However, the Core i7-6700T is the more power-efficient choice, operating at a 35W TDP compared to the Xeon's 45W, and it includes a Geekbench result that the Xeon lacks. The Xeon targets server and workstation workloads with ECC memory support, while the Core i7-6700T is a desktop part with a lower launch MSRP. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the Xeon E3-1535M v5 is the pick; for those needing lower power draw and a more affordable platform, the Core i7-6700T holds appeal.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i7-6700T. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the Xeon leads by margins between 13% and 13.2% in both single-core and multi-core tests. The Xeon's average benchmark score of 1945 slightly exceeds the Core i7-6700T's 1918, and the Xeon places in the 44th percentile of all CPUs versus the Core i7-6700T's 43rd percentile.

Choose the Xeon E3-1535M v5 if your priority is maximum compute performance in a mobile or workstation form factor. Its 13% lead in multi-core workloads like Cinebench R23 (6726 vs. 5943) translates to faster rendering and compilation times. It also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for data integrity in server and workstation environments. The Xeon's launch MSRP is $623.

Choose the Core i7-6700T if power efficiency and lower platform cost matter more. Its 35W TDP is significantly lower than the Xeon's 45W, making it better suited for compact, thermally constrained desktop builds. The Core i7-6700T also has a lower launch MSRP of $303. The benchmark gap is consistent but not overwhelming, so the Core i7-6700T remains viable for general desktop tasks where the Xeon's workstation features are unnecessary.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Skylake architecture and the same 14 nm process node, but they diverge in packaging and intended use. The Xeon E3-1535M v5 uses the Skylake-H codename and fits the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the Core i7-6700T uses the standard Skylake codename and the Intel Socket 1151. This difference reflects their target platforms: the Xeon is a mobile workstation part, whereas the Core i7-6700T is a desktop processor.

Core and thread counts are identical: both have 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache hierarchies also match, with 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Both support DDR3 and DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, and both provide PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The critical architectural split is in features. The Xeon E3-1535M v5 supports ECC memory, a capability absent on the Core i7-6700T. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Xeon uses HD Graphics P530, while the Core i7-6700T uses HD Graphics 530. The Xeon is classified under the server/workstation market segment, while the Core i7-6700T is a desktop part. The Xeon's transistor count is listed at 2,300 million on a 122 mm² die, whereas those figures are not recorded for the Core i7-6700T.

Clock speeds favor the Xeon. Its base clock is 2.90 GHz with a boost of 3.70 GHz, compared to the Core i7-6700T's 2.80 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The Xeon also carries a higher 45W TDP, which helps sustain those higher clocks under load. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E3-1535M v5 wins every recorded comparison, and the margins are remarkably uniform. In Cinebench R15, the Xeon scores 677 multi-core against the Core i7-6700T's 599, a 13% advantage. The single-core result is 95 versus 84, a 13.1% lead. This pattern repeats exactly in Cinebench R20: the Xeon posts 2824 multi-core and 398 single-core, while the Core i7-6700T manages 2496 and 352, again putting the Xeon ahead by 13.1% in both.

Cinebench R23 shows the same story. The Xeon's multi-core score of 6726 beats the Core i7-6700T's 5943 by 13.2%, and the single-core result of 949 versus 839 represents a 13.1% lead. These deltas are consistent across all six tests, indicating that the Xeon's advantage is not workload-specific but stems from its higher clock speeds and TDP headroom.

The Core i7-6700T does have one benchmark the Xeon does not: Geekbench. It scores 3906 multi-core and 1128 single-core, but no comparable Xeon result exists in the database, so a direct comparison is impossible. The Xeon's nearest rivals in average score include the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 at 1947 (a 0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i5-1035G7 at 1948 (a 0.2% difference). The Core i7-6700T's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U at 1916 (a 0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i3-10305T at 1922 (a 0.2% difference). These figures place both processors in the same general performance tier, despite the Xeon's head-to-head sweep.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 scores 6726, which is 13.2% higher than the Intel Core i7-6700T's 5943.

Q: Does the Core i7-6700T support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory support is listed as true only for the Xeon E3-1535M v5; the Core i7-6700T does not support ECC.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Xeon E3-1535M v5 has a 45W TDP, while the Core i7-6700T has a 35W TDP.

Q: Are the core and thread counts the same?

A: Yes, both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Xeon E3-1535M v5 boosts to 3.70 GHz, compared to the Core i7-6700T's 3.60 GHz.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon E3-1535M v5 has an average benchmark score of 1945, while the Core i7-6700T averages 1918.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E3-1535M v5 wins every recorded benchmark, so its strengths are straightforward. Multi-core workloads benefit most: in Cinebench R23, the Xeon's 6726 score is a 13.2% improvement over the Core i7-6700T's 5943. The same holds in R20 (2824 vs. 2496, a 13.1% lead) and R15 (677 vs. 599, a 13% lead). Single-core performance also favors the Xeon, with leads of 13.1% across R15, R20, and R23. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which is essential for error-correcting workloads in server or workstation environments. Its higher 45W TDP and faster 3.70 GHz boost clock underpin these results.

The Core i7-6700T counters with power efficiency. Its 35W TDP is 10W lower than the Xeon's, making it a better fit for low-power desktop builds or systems where heat output is a constraint. It also has a lower launch MSRP of $303, compared to the Xeon's $623, though pricing details should be considered separately from performance. The Core i7-6700T includes a Geekbench result (3906 multi-core, 1128 single-core) that the Xeon lacks, providing an additional data point for users who rely on that test. For general desktop use where ECC is not required and power draw is a priority, the Core i7-6700T is the sensible option.

Specification Differences

The two processors share many specifications but differ in several key fields. The socket is different: the Xeon E3-1535M v5 uses Intel BGA 1440, while the Core i7-6700T uses Intel Socket 1151. Clock speeds differ, with the Xeon at 2.90 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost versus the Core i7-6700T's 2.80 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. TDP is 45W for the Xeon and 35W for the Core i7-6700T.

Integrated graphics differ: the Xeon has HD Graphics P530, while the Core i7-6700T has HD Graphics 530. ECC memory support is true for the Xeon and false for the Core i7-6700T. The market segment is server/workstation for the Xeon and desktop for the Core i7-6700T. Release dates are close, with the Core i7-6700T on 2015-08-31 and the Xeon on 2015-10-26. Launch MSRP is $623 for the Xeon and $303 for the Core i7-6700T. Process node, cores, threads, cache sizes, memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, and PCIe lanes are identical. The Xeon has recorded transistor count and die size (2,300 million and 122 mm²), while the Core i7-6700T does not list those values. Part numbers also differ: SR2FM for the Xeon and SR2BUSR2L3 for the Core i7-6700T.