Intel Core i7-7700HQ vs Intel Xeon E3-1565L v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two Intel processors. The Xeon E3-1565L v5 wins 11 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Core i7-7700HQ takes 6. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

In Cinebench testing, the Xeon is consistently ahead across every version and workload. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 627 against 589 for the Core i7, a 6.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 88 versus 83, or 6% ahead. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the pattern with 2614 versus 2457, a 6.4% lead, while the single-core result is 369 versus 346, a 6.6% edge. Cinebench R23 multicore delivers 6226 against 5852, again 6.4% ahead, and the single-core R23 score of 879 versus 826 matches that 6.4% delta. These are consistent, reproducible margins across the entire Cinebench family.

The PassMark suite reveals where each chip excels. The Xeon dominates in prime number finding, scoring 43 versus 22, a massive 95.5% advantage. That is the single largest delta in the entire comparison. Physics performance also strongly favors the Xeon: 794 versus 489, a 62.4% lead. Floating point math goes to the Xeon at 14547 versus 13678, 6.4% ahead, and integer math follows at 23335 versus 22143, a 5.4% margin. The multithread score of 7325 versus 6881 gives the Xeon a 6.5% win.

The Core i7-7700HQ fights back in specific workloads. Random string sorting is its best result: 12512 versus 11543, a 7.7% advantage. Data compression goes to the Core i7 at 97136 versus 94771, a 2.4% margin. Data encryption favors the Core i7 at 2366 versus 2314, 2.2% ahead. Extended instructions show a 3% edge for the Core i7 with 6218 versus 6031. Single-thread performance also belongs to the Core i7: 2045 versus 1970, a 3.7% lead in both the single_thread and singlethread PassMark tests.

The average benchmark scores reflect this overall picture. The Xeon E3-1565L v5 posts an average benchmark score of 10320, placing it at the 66th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core i7-7700HQ averages 9493, sitting at the 65th percentile. The Xeon's nearest rivals in the database, by average score, are the Intel Xeon Gold 6338N at 10347 (-0.3%), the Intel Xeon Gold 6312U at 10291 (+0.3%), the Intel Xeon W-3175X at 10369 (-0.5%), and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8280 at 10230 (+0.9%). The Core i7-7700HQ sits near the AMD EPYC 7402P at 9529 (-0.4%), the Intel Atom x7835RE at 9430 (+0.7%), the Intel Xeon Platinum 8180 at 9406 (+0.9%), and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX at 9348 (+1.5%).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1565L v5 scores 6226 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core i7-7700HQ scores 5852. The Xeon leads by 6.4%.

Q: Where does the Core i7-7700HQ outperform the Xeon?

A: The Core i7 wins in six tests: data compression (97136 vs 94771), data encryption (2366 vs 2314), extended instructions (6218 vs 6031), random string sorting (12512 vs 11543), single-thread PassMark (2045 vs 1970), and the duplicate singlethread PassMark test (2045 vs 1970).

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Xeon scores 43 versus 22 for the Core i7, a 95.5% advantage for the Xeon.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon E3-1565L v5 has an average benchmark score of 10320, while the Core i7-7700HQ averages 9493. The Xeon sits at the 66th percentile of all CPUs, the Core i7 at the 65th percentile.

Q: Does the Core i7 have any advantage in single-threaded work?

A: Yes. In PassMark single-thread testing, the Core i7-7700HQ scores 2045 versus 1970 for the Xeon, a 3.7% advantage. However, in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests, the Xeon leads by roughly 6% in each.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core i7-7700HQ has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Xeon E3-1565L v5 boosts to 3.50 GHz. The Core i7 also has a higher base clock at 2.80 GHz versus 2.50 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architecture generations. The Xeon E3-1565L v5 is built on Skylake, specifically the Skylake-H codename, while the Core i7-7700HQ uses Kaby Lake, with the Kaby Lake-H codename. Both are manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node, so the transistor fabrication process is identical.

The die sizes differ notably. The Xeon has a die size of 171 mm² and contains 2,300 million transistors. The Core i7-7700HQ has a smaller die at 126 mm², and the database does not record a transistor count for it. This die size difference suggests the Xeon packs more physical hardware into its package.

Cache configurations also diverge. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, favors the Xeon: 8 MB shared versus 6 MB shared for the Core i7. This 2 MB difference in last-level cache is a meaningful architectural distinction.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. The Xeon E3-1565L v5 carries Iris Pro Graphics P580, a higher-tier graphics solution. The Core i7-7700HQ uses Intel HD Graphics 630. The database does not record performance metrics for either GPU, so the comparison is limited to naming and tier.

Memory capabilities show another split. Both support DDR3 and DDR4 memory with dual-channel memory buses. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Core i7 does not. The Xeon also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Core i7's memory bandwidth is not listed in the database.

Both processors share the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both use the Intel BGA 1440 socket. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal where these two chips diverge. The Xeon E3-1565L v5 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The Core i7-7700HQ runs a base clock of 2.80 GHz and boosts to 3.80 GHz. The Core i7 is faster in both clock states.

Thermal design power differs by 10 watts. The Xeon is rated at 35 W TDP, while the Core i7-7700HQ draws 45 W TDP. This makes the Xeon the more power-efficient part on paper.

The market segments are different. The Xeon is classified as a Server/Workstation processor, while the Core i7 is a Mobile processor. Both are end-of-life products, but their release dates differ: the Xeon launched on 2016-05-30, and the Core i7 on 2017-01-02.

ECC memory support is exclusive to the Xeon. The Xeon also has the larger 8 MB L3 cache versus the Core i7's 6 MB. The integrated graphics are different as noted above.

The launch MSRP values are recorded for both: the Xeon E3-1565L v5 had a launch MSRP of $417, and the Core i7-7700HQ had a launch MSRP of $378. Part numbers are SR2R8 for the Xeon and SR32Q for the Core i7.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear recommendation based on workload priorities. The Intel Xeon E3-1565L v5 is the stronger performer in rendering and compute-heavy tasks. Its Cinebench results across R15, R20, and R23 are uniformly about 6% ahead of the Core i7, and its physics and prime number scores are dramatically higher. The 95.5% lead in prime number finding and the 62.4% lead in physics indicate workloads that leverage certain instruction patterns will see outsized gains from the Xeon.

The Core i7-7700HQ wins in memory-latency-sensitive and string-manipulation workloads. Its 7.7% advantage in random string sorting and 2.4% lead in data compression suggest tasks involving data movement and sorting favor the Kaby Lake part. Single-thread PassMark also favors the Core i7 by 3.7%.

For buyers choosing between these two, the decision hinges on the workload. Rendering, scientific computing, and physics simulation point to the Xeon E3-1565L v5. Data processing, sorting, and general single-threaded application performance point to the Core i7-7700HQ. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support and a lower 35 W TDP, which matters for workstation and server deployments. The Core i7 offers higher clock speeds and a larger margin in its preferred workloads, but its wins are generally smaller in percentage terms than the Xeon's largest advantages.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical, with the Xeon at the 66th percentile and the Core i7 at the 65th. The average benchmark scores differ by roughly 8.7% in favor of the Xeon. Given that the Xeon wins the majority of tests, often by larger margins in its strongest areas, the overall benchmark data favors the Xeon E3-1565L v5 as the more capable all-around processor. The Core i7-7700HQ remains the pick for specific tasks where its 3.7% single-thread and 7.7% sorting advantages matter most.