Intel Core i7-6800K vs Intel Xeon D-1567 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon D-1567 wins every single recorded head-to-head comparison, six out of six. This is a clean sweep, and the margins are consistent across both multi-core and single-core workloads. The Xeon D-1567 leads by 5.1% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (965 vs 916) and by the same 5.1% in the single-core variant (136 vs 129). This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the Xeon D-1567 scores 4022 multi-core against the Core i7-6800K's 3819, a 5% advantage, and leads single-core 567 to 538, again by 5.1%.

The most recent Cinebench R23 results confirm the trend. The Xeon D-1567 posts 9578 multi-core and 1352 single-core, while the Core i7-6800K manages 9093 and 1283 respectively. The delta is again 5.1% in both tests. Notably, the Core i7-6800K has Geekbench scores recorded (5688 multi-core, 1237 single-core), but there are no comparable Geekbench results for the Xeon D-1567 in the database, so no cross-reference is possible there.

What is striking is not just the direction of the wins, but the uniformity of the margin. The Xeon D-1567 is not dramatically faster; it is consistently, narrowly ahead. The largest recorded gap is 5.1%, and the smallest is 5.0%. This suggests a steady, architectural edge rather than a workload-specific advantage. The Core i7-6800K's average benchmark score across all recorded tests is 2838, while the Xeon D-1567's is 2770, which means the Core i7-6800K actually holds a slight lead in the aggregate metric (2.5% higher) despite losing every direct comparison. This is a useful reminder that average scores across different test suites can paint a different picture than head-to-head matchups.

For context on the wider field, the Core i7-6800K sits at the 51st percentile of all CPUs in the database, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i5-10600 (average score 2837, delta 0%) and the Intel Xeon E-2126G (2842, delta -0.1%). The Xeon D-1567 also sits at the 51st percentile, with rivals like the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350GE (2767, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i7-5930K (2775, delta -0.2%). Both processors occupy the same performance tier, but in direct competition, the Xeon D-1567 has the last word.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same 14 nm process node and the same 246 mm² die size, but their internal configurations diverge sharply. The Core i7-6800K is a Broadwell-E desktop part with 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Xeon D-1567 is a Broadwell-DE server part with 12 cores and 24 threads. The Xeon D-1567 doubles the core count and thread count, which explains its multi-core lead despite lower clocks. However, the Core i7-6800K has the higher base clock (3.40 GHz vs 2.10 GHz) and the higher boost clock (3.60 GHz vs 2.70 GHz). The clock advantage is not enough to overcome the core deficit in multi-threaded tests, and the Xeon D-1567's single-core wins indicate that its per-core performance is also slightly ahead, likely due to the newer Broadwell-DE implementation.

Cache structures differ substantially. The Core i7-6800K has 15 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon D-1567 has 1.5 MB of L3 per core, which amounts to 18 MB across the 12 cores. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. The per-core L3 allocation on the Xeon D-1567 is a server-oriented design, prioritizing predictable latency for each core rather than a large shared pool. The transistor counts are close: 3,400 million for the Core i7-6800K and 3,200 million for the Xeon D-1567.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The Core i7-6800K supports DDR4 over a quad-channel bus, delivering 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Xeon D-1567 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, and no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. The Core i7-6800K does not support ECC memory, while the Xeon D-1567 does. PCIe lanes also differ: the Core i7-6800K provides 28 Gen 3 lanes, while the Xeon D-1567 provides 24 Gen 3 lanes. The socket is another split: the Core i7-6800K uses Intel Socket 2011-3, a replaceable LGA socket, while the Xeon D-1567 is soldered to BGA 1667, meaning it is not user-replaceable.

The Core i7-6800K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon D-1567 is locked. The Core i7-6800K is part of the Core i7 (Broadwell-E) generation, while the Xeon D-1567 belongs to the Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) generation. Production status also differs: the Core i7-6800K is end-of-life, while the Xeon D-1567 is still active.

Where Each One Wins

The data is clear on direct comparisons: the Xeon D-1567 wins every recorded benchmark. There is no test in the head-to-head set where the Core i7-6800K comes out ahead. This means that in pure performance terms, as measured by the Cinebench suite, the Xeon D-1567 is the faster processor across the board.

That said, the Core i7-6800K has strengths that are not captured in those head-to-head numbers. Its higher clocks (3.40 GHz base, 3.60 GHz boost) and unlocked multiplier make it a more flexible desktop part, particularly for users who value overclocking. The quad-channel memory bus provides 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth, which is a major asset for memory-intensive workloads. The 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes offer more expansion headroom than the Xeon D-1567's 24 lanes. The Core i7-6800K also uses a standard LGA socket, which means it can be replaced or upgraded without changing the motherboard, unlike the soldered BGA part.

The Xeon D-1567 wins on core count (12 vs 6), thread count (24 vs 12), and ECC memory support, which is critical for server and workstation reliability. Its 65 W TDP is dramatically lower than the Core i7-6800K's 140 W, indicating significantly better power efficiency. The Xeon D-1567 is also actively in production, whereas the Core i7-6800K is end-of-life. The Xeon D-1567's per-core L3 cache design (1.5 MB per core) may benefit workloads that rely on fast per-thread data access, while the Core i7-6800K's shared 15 MB L3 pool is better suited to workloads with heavy inter-thread communication.

In summary: the Xeon D-1567 is the performance winner in every recorded metric, with the multi-core advantage expected from double the cores and the single-core advantage being a more surprising result. The Core i7-6800K retains appeal for desktop users who prioritize overclocking, memory bandwidth, and socket flexibility, but the recorded benchmark data does not show it winning any test.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-6800K | Intel Xeon D-1567 |

|----------------|----------------------|-------------------|

| Cores | 6 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | Intel BGA 1667 |

| Codename | Broadwell-E | Broadwell |

| Generation | Core i7 (Broadwell-E) | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) |

| Transistors | 3,400 million | 3,200 million |

| L3 Cache | 15 MB (shared) | 1.5 MB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe Lanes | 28 (Gen 3) | 24 (Gen 3) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2016-05-30 | 2016-02-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $434 | 1199 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR2PD | SR2M3 |

The two share the same 14 nm process, same foundry (Intel), same die size (246 mm²), and same L1/L2 cache per core (64 KB / 256 KB). Neither has integrated graphics. The launch MSRP for the Core i7-6800K is $434, and for the Xeon D-1567 it is 1199.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon D-1567 wins all recorded multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15, it scores 965 vs 916 for the Core i7-6800K. In R20, it scores 4022 vs 3819. In R23, it scores 9578 vs 9093. The margin is consistently around 5%.

Q: Does the Core i7-6800K win any benchmark?

A: No. Across the six head-to-head benchmark results, the Intel Xeon D-1567 wins all six. The Core i7-6800K has no recorded wins in the direct comparison set.

Q: Why does the Xeon D-1567 have a lower TDP but more cores?

A: The Xeon D-1567 has a 65 W TDP and 12 cores, while the Core i7-6800K has a 140 W TDP and 6 cores. The Xeon D-1567 achieves this with lower clocks (2.10 GHz base, 2.70 GHz boost) compared to the Core i7-6800K (3.40 GHz base, 3.60 GHz boost).

Q: Can the Core i7-6800K be overclocked?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked on the Core i7-6800K. The Xeon D-1567 has a locked multiplier.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1567 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-6800K does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Core i7-6800K uses a quad-channel memory bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon D-1567 uses a dual-channel bus, and its bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes the choice straightforward for pure performance: the Intel Xeon D-1567 is the faster processor in every recorded test. It leads by 5.1% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core. The Xeon D-1567 doubles the core count (12 vs 6) and thread count (24 vs 12) while maintaining a higher per-core performance in the recorded tests. It also offers ECC memory support, a lower TDP (65 W vs 140 W), and remains in active production.

The Intel Core i7-6800K is not without its merits. Its unlocked multiplier, higher clocks, quad-channel memory bandwidth (76.8 GB/s), and larger shared L3 cache (15 MB) make it a capable desktop part. Its 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more expansion options, and its LGA socket allows for easier replacement. The average benchmark score across all recorded tests is slightly higher for the Core i7-6800K (2838 vs 2770), indicating that its performance profile is competitive across a broader test set, even though it loses every direct comparison.

The choice depends on the use case. For server or workstation deployments where ECC memory, core density, and power efficiency are priorities, the Xeon D-1567 is the clear pick from the data. For a desktop user who values overclocking, memory bandwidth, and socket flexibility, the Core i7-6800K remains a reasonable option, but the recorded benchmarks show that it will trail the Xeon D-1567 in Cinebench workloads. The Xeon D-1567 is the performance leader in this matchup, with a 6-0 record in head-to-head tests.