Intel Core i7-6700T vs Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 wins every recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i7-6700T. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Xeon holds a lead that never dips below 9.2%. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon scores 92 against the Core i7's 84, a 9.5% advantage. The smallest delta is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, with the Xeon at 654 and the Core i7 at 599, a 9.2% difference.

Multi-threaded workloads show the same pattern. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Xeon records 2728 points versus 2496 for the Core i7, a 9.3% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows with 6497 against 5943, again 9.3%. The single-core results are similarly tight in percentage terms across the newer tests. Cinebench R20 single-core gives the Xeon 385 and the Core i7 352, a 9.4% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 917 versus 839, a 9.3% delta. The consistency of these margins indicates the Xeon's advantage is structural rather than workload-specific.

The aggregate benchmark average tells a slightly different story. The Xeon E3-1545M v5 has an average benchmark score of 1879, while the Core i7-6700T averages 1918. That places the Core i7 about 2.1% higher on the aggregate metric, despite losing every individual Cinebench test. The discrepancy stems from the Core i7 having additional Geekbench results in the database, including a multi-core score of 3906 and a single-core score of 1128, which are not recorded for the Xeon. The Xeon's percentile ranking versus all CPUs is 43, and the Core i7's is also 43, putting both in the same overall position despite their different benchmark portfolios.

Looking at nearest rivals, the Xeon E3-1545M v5 sits within 0.3% of the Intel Processor U300 (average score 1881, delta -0.1%), the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 (1882, -0.2%), the Intel Xeon E3-1270L v4 (1883, -0.2%), and the Intel Xeon D-1531 (1885, -0.3%). The Core i7-6700T's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (1916, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i3-10305T (1922, -0.2%), the Intel Xeon E-2314 (1911, 0.4%), and the Intel Xeon E3-1231 v3 (1925, -0.4%). These clusters reinforce that both processors occupy similar performance territory in the broader database, even though the head-to-head results favor the Xeon.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E3-1545M v5 wins every recorded Cinebench test, so the use-case split is clear for rendering and CPU-bound compute. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core variants favor the Xeon. The margins are uniform, ranging from 9.2% to 9.5%, which suggests the Xeon's higher clock speeds translate directly into sustained performance across the entire Cinebench suite. For workloads that resemble these rendering benchmarks, the Xeon is the stronger choice.

The Core i7-6700T does not win any of the six head-to-head tests. However, the database does include Geekbench results for the Core i7 that are absent for the Xeon. The Core i7's Geekbench multi-core score of 3906 and single-core score of 1128 indicate it has been measured in a broader set of workloads, but there is no Xeon counterpart to compare against. The aggregate average score of 1918 for the Core i7 versus 1879 for the Xeon reflects this additional data, but it does not represent a head-to-head victory.

For power-sensitive applications, the Core i7-6700T carries a 35 W TDP against the Xeon's 45 W. That difference of 10 W makes the Core i7 more suitable for thermally constrained desktop builds, though the Xeon's performance lead comes at that higher power envelope. The Xeon targets the server and workstation segment, while the Core i7 is a desktop part, so the intended deployment scenarios differ. The data shows the Xeon wins on raw Cinebench performance, while the Core i7 holds an advantage in power consumption and has additional Geekbench coverage.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Skylake architecture and use the 14 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. The Xeon E3-1545M v5 carries the codename Skylake-H, while the Core i7-6700T uses the plain Skylake codename. The Xeon's generation is listed as "Xeon E3 (Skylake-H)", and the Core i7's is "Core i7 (Skylake)".

The cache hierarchy is identical on paper. Each core has 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache on both processors. The transistor count and die size are recorded for the Xeon at 2,300 million transistors and 171 mm², but those figures are not available for the Core i7 in the database.

Memory support matches as well. Both support DDR3 and DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus with 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The PCIe configuration is the same: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. ECC memory support is a differentiator, with the Xeon supporting ECC while the Core i7 does not. The integrated graphics differ, with the Xeon featuring Iris Pro Graphics P580 and the Core i7 featuring HD Graphics 530.

The sockets separate the two physically. The Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440, a soldered mobile form factor, while the Core i7 uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop LGA socket. The Xeon's market segment is server and workstation, while the Core i7 targets desktop. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon's part number is SR2QU, and the Core i7's is SR2BUSR2L3. Release dates differ slightly, with the Core i7 released in 2015 and the Xeon in 2016.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are equal at 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ, with the Xeon at 2.90 GHz and the Core i7 at 2.80 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with the Xeon reaching 3.80 GHz and the Core i7 reaching 3.60 GHz. The TDP gap is 10 W, with the Xeon rated at 45 W and the Core i7 at 35 W.

Sockets are different: Intel BGA 1440 for the Xeon versus Intel Socket 1151 for the Core i7. The Xeon's codename is Skylake-H, while the Core i7's is Skylake. The Xeon's generation is "Xeon E3 (Skylake-H)" and the Core i7's is "Core i7 (Skylake)". Transistor count and die size are recorded only for the Xeon at 2,300 million and 171 mm², respectively.

ECC memory support is present on the Xeon and absent on the Core i7. Integrated graphics differ, with Iris Pro Graphics P580 on the Xeon and HD Graphics 530 on the Core i7. The market segment is server and workstation for the Xeon, desktop for the Core i7. The launch MSRP for the Xeon is $679. The launch MSRP for the Core i7 is $303. Release dates differ, with the Core i7 released in 2015 and the Xeon in 2016.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 boosts to 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-6700T boosts to 3.60 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, the Xeon E3-1545M v5 supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-6700T does not.

Q: What is the largest performance difference in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon E3-1545M v5 scores 92 against the Core i7-6700T's 84, a 9.5% advantage.

Q: Are the cache sizes the same on both processors?

A: Yes, both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Core i7-6700T has a TDP of 35 W, compared to the Xeon E3-1545M v5's 45 W.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Core i7-6700T has an average benchmark score of 1918, while the Xeon E3-1545M v5 has an average of 1879, but the Xeon wins every recorded head-to-head Cinebench test.