Intel Core i7-6700T vs Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep for the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 across every Cinebench workload in the comparison set. The margin is remarkably consistent, hovering just under ten percent in each test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 655 against 599 for the Core i7-6700T, a 9.3% advantage. Single-core in the same benchmark sees the Xeon at 92 versus 84, a 9.5% edge. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the Xeon posts 2733 multi-core and 385 single-core, while the i7-6700T manages 2496 and 352 respectively, both results favoring the Xeon by 9.5% and 9.4%.

Moving to the more demanding Cinebench R23 workload, the Xeon E3-1558L v5 scores 6508 multi-core and 918 single-core. The Core i7-6700T trails with 5943 multi-core and 839 single-core. The deltas are 9.5% and 9.4% respectively, mirroring the earlier tests almost exactly. This uniformity suggests a consistent performance advantage tied to the processor's configuration rather than workload-specific quirks. Across all six head-to-head benchmarks, the Xeon wins every single one, with zero wins recorded for the desktop part.

What stands out here is not just the direction of the results but the tight clustering of the margins. There is no test where the i7-6700T comes close to parity, nor is there one where the Xeon runs away with a double-digit gap. The performance gap is stable, predictable, and present in both single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios. For users looking at raw benchmark output, the Xeon E3-1558L v5 is the clear winner in this pairing, even though the i7-6700T carries a higher base clock and boost clock in its specifications.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 wins in every recorded benchmark category, so the use-case split is straightforward. It takes the lead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, covering both multi-core and single-core variants. That means for rendering workloads, 3D modeling, or any task that scales with Cinebench-style performance, the Xeon is the stronger option. Its 9.3% to 9.5% advantage holds across the board, so content creation and CPU-bound productivity tasks would favor the Xeon.

The Intel Core i7-6700T, despite its higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and boost clock of 3.60 GHz, does not record a single benchmark win. The data shows zero wins for the i7-6700T in the head-to-head section. However, the i7-6700T does have one measurement the Xeon lacks: Geekbench scores. The i7-6700T posts 3906 multi-core and 1128 single-core in Geekbench, but there is no corresponding Geekbench result for the Xeon in the database, so no direct comparison can be made there.

The Xeon also brings features the i7-6700T does not offer, which could influence selection for specific environments. It supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the desktop part. That makes the Xeon more suitable for server or workstation deployments where data integrity is critical. The Xeon also targets the Server/Workstation market segment, while the i7-6700T is classified as a Desktop part. The i7-6700T does have a lower TDP at 35 watts versus 45 watts for the Xeon, which could matter for power-constrained builds, but that advantage does not translate into any benchmark win in the recorded data.

The Verdict

The data points clearly to the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 as the higher-performing processor in this head-to-head comparison. It wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins between 9.3% and 9.5%. The consistency of the advantage means users can expect the Xeon to deliver a meaningful uplift in both lightly threaded and heavily threaded workloads. The Xeon also adds ECC memory support, making it the more robust choice for workstation or server tasks where memory errors are unacceptable.

The Core i7-6700T, while not winning any benchmark in this comparison, still has its place. Its 35-watt TDP is lower than the Xeon's 45-watt figure, so for systems where power draw is the primary constraint, the i7-6700T could be the more practical choice. It also has a higher base clock and boost clock, which would suggest better responsiveness in short bursts, but the recorded benchmarks do not reflect any advantage from those clocks. The i7-6700T also has a lower launch MSRP of $303, which is worth noting against the Xeon's $396, though no further pricing analysis is possible from the data.

For anyone prioritizing raw compute performance in Cinebench-style workloads, the Xeon E3-1558L v5 is the pick. For those who need lower power consumption or ECC memory support, the choice becomes clearer: the Xeon for ECC, the i7-6700T for lower TDP. The Xeon's higher average benchmark score of 1882 versus 1918 for the i7-6700T is the only metric where the desktop part leads, but that figure is skewed by the Geekbench results that the Xeon lacks. In the direct comparison, the Xeon wins decisively.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 scores 6508, while the Intel Core i7-6700T scores 5943. The Xeon leads by 9.5%.

Q: Does the Core i7-6700T have any benchmark wins over the Xeon?

A: No. The head-to-head data records zero wins for the Core i7-6700T across all six Cinebench tests, while the Xeon wins all six.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R20?

A: The Xeon E3-1558L v5 scores 385, and the Core i7-6700T scores 352. The Xeon is ahead by 9.4%.

Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 has ECC memory support enabled. The Intel Core i7-6700T does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Xeon E3-1558L v5 has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Core i7-6700T has a lower TDP of 35 watts.

Q: Are there any benchmark results for the Core i7-6700T that the Xeon lacks?

A: Yes, the Core i7-6700T has Geekbench scores of 3906 multi-core and 1128 single-core. The database has no Geekbench results for the Xeon E3-1558L v5, so no direct comparison is possible.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and share the Skylake architecture, but they target different market segments. The Xeon E3-1558L v5 uses the Skylake-H codename and is classified under the Xeon E3 (Skylake-H) generation, while the Core i7-6700T uses the plain Skylake codename and falls under the Core i7 (Skylake) generation. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, and both feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

The socket configurations differ significantly. The Xeon E3-1558L v5 uses Intel BGA 1440, a soldered mobile-style socket, while the Core i7-6700T uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop LGA socket. This means the Xeon is not upgradeable in the traditional sense, while the i7-6700T can be swapped in compatible motherboards. The Xeon has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, whereas the i7-6700T runs higher at 2.80 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost, yet the benchmarks still favor the Xeon.

Memory support is identical in type: both support DDR3 and DDR4, both use a dual-channel memory bus, and both have a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Xeon, however, adds ECC memory support, which the i7-6700T lacks. PCIe connectivity matches as well, with both offering Gen 3 and 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ. The Xeon E3-1558L v5 pairs with Iris Pro Graphics P555, a more capable GPU solution, while the Core i7-6700T uses HD Graphics 530. The Xeon also has a larger die size at 171 mm² and 2,300 million transistors, though no such figures are recorded for the i7-6700T. The Xeon is marked as end-of-life, as is the i7-6700T, and neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon was released in May 2016, while the i7-6700T came earlier in August 2015. The Xeon's part number is SR2TU, while the i7-6700T lists SR2BU and SR2L3. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $396, and the i7-6700T's launch MSRP was $303.