Intel Core i7-7700T vs Intel Xeon E3-1280 v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1280 v5 and Intel Core i7-7700T are both 14 nm, quad-core, eight-thread Socket 1151 parts, but they are engineered for opposite ends of the desktop power spectrum. The Xeon is a server/workstation part with an 80 W TDP, while the i7-7700T is a low-power desktop chip with a 35 W TDP. Benchmark data shows a consistent, narrow performance advantage for the Xeon across all tested Cinebench workloads, despite the i7-7700T having a more recent architecture and a higher average benchmark score. The analysis below details the measurable differences, architectural divergences, and the data-driven verdict for each part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E3-1280 v5 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the margins are remarkably uniform rather than lopsided. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 707 against the i7-7700T's 646, a lead of 9.4%. The single-core R15 result is closer in raw points—99 versus 91—but the percentage delta is nearly identical at 8.8%. This pattern repeats across every generation of the Cinebench suite. In R20 multi-core, the Xeon posts 2946 versus 2692, again a 9.4% advantage. The R20 single-core test shows 415 against 380, a 9.2% delta. The R23 results follow suit: multi-core is 7015 versus 6410 (9.4%), and single-core is 990 versus 905 (9.4%).

The consistency of the delta—hovering between 8.8% and 9.4% across all six tests—indicates that the performance gap is driven by a fundamental clock-speed or power-delivery difference rather than workload-specific architectural advantages. The Xeon's base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost of 4.00 GHz provide a substantial frequency advantage over the i7-7700T's 2.90 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. Because both chips share identical core counts, thread counts, and L3 cache sizes, the Cinebench scores scale almost linearly with the clock differential.

It is importantly the i7-7700T has two additional Geekbench results in its benchmark list—3938 multi-core and 1248 single-core—which are not part of the head-to-head table. These scores contribute to its higher average benchmark score of 2039, compared to the Xeon's 2029. However, the head-to-head data, which uses only directly comparable Cinebench tests, shows the Xeon leading in every instance. The i7-7700T's higher average score is therefore a function of the different test mix, not evidence of superior performance in the shared workloads.

In terms of percentile ranking, both CPUs sit at the 45th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier despite the Xeon's consistent head-to-head wins. The nearest rivals for the Xeon include the Intel Xeon E3-1260L v5 (0% delta), the Xeon E3-1240 v5 (-0.1%), and the Core i7-5775R (-0.1%), showing it is tightly clustered with other server parts. The i7-7700T's nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6386 SE (0.1%), Core i7-3960X (0.1%), and Xeon E3-1275 v5 (-0.2%), again indicating a close grouping around its average score. The data shows that both chips are average performers relative to the entire CPU landscape, but the Xeon is measurably faster in every directly comparable benchmark.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 14 nm Intel process node and use the same Intel Socket 1151, but they represent different microarchitectures. The Xeon E3-1280 v5 is based on the Skylake architecture (codename Skylake-DT) and belongs to the Xeon E3 generation. The Core i7-7700T uses the Kaby Lake architecture (codename Kaby Lake) from the Core i7 generation. Kaby Lake is a refinement of Skylake, but the benchmark data shows that this architectural progression does not translate into a performance advantage for the newer chip in these tests, as the Xeon's higher clocks dominate.

Both chips have identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The transistor count and die size are only listed for the Xeon (1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die), while those figures are absent for the i7-7700T. Memory support is also the same: both use dual-channel DDR4. The i7-7700T lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Xeon does not specify a bandwidth figure. Critically, the Xeon supports ECC memory, while the i7-7700T does not—a decisive feature for server/workstation use.

The most significant architectural divergence is the integrated graphics. The i7-7700T includes HD 630 integrated graphics, while the Xeon E3-1280 v5 has no integrated graphics listed. This is a direct consequence of their market segments: the Xeon is a Server/Workstation part, while the i7-7700T is Desktop. The Xeon also has an end-of-life production status and was released on 2015-10-18, whereas the i7-7700T is still active and was released later on 2017-01-02. Both chips use Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon's part number is SR2LC, while the i7-7700T is SR339.

The TDP difference is stark: 80 W for the Xeon versus 35 W for the i7-7700T. This more than 2x power envelope allows the Xeon to sustain higher clock speeds, which is the primary driver of its benchmark advantage. The i7-7700T's low TDP is clearly aimed at power-constrained or silent desktop builds, while the Xeon's higher TDP is a trade-off for its performance lead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1280 v5 wins all multi-core tests. It scores 707 vs 646 in R15, 2946 vs 2692 in R20, and 7015 vs 6410 in R23. Each multi-core win represents a 9.4% advantage over the Core i7-7700T.

Q: Is the Core i7-7700T better in single-core performance?

A: No. The Xeon also wins every single-core test. It leads by 8.8% in R15 (99 vs 91), 9.2% in R20 (415 vs 380), and 9.4% in R23 (990 vs 905). The i7-7700T does not win any of the six head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: Does the Core i7-7700T have a higher average benchmark score?

A: Yes. The i7-7700T has an average benchmark score of 2039, while the Xeon E3-1280 v5 has 2029. The i7-7700T's average is boosted by its two Geekbench results (3938 multi-core, 1248 single-core), which are not included in the head-to-head comparison table.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. ECC memory support is exclusive to the Intel Xeon E3-1280 v5. The Core i7-7700T does not support ECC, which is a key differentiator for the Xeon's server/workstation positioning.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The Core i7-7700T includes HD 630 integrated graphics. The Xeon E3-1280 v5 has no integrated graphics listed, reflecting its server/workstation market segment where dedicated GPUs are standard.

Q: Which chip has a lower power draw?

A: The Core i7-7700T has a TDP of 35 W, compared to the Xeon E3-1280 v5's 80 W. The i7-7700T's lower TDP is a major advantage for compact or power-efficient desktop builds.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance winner: the Intel Xeon E3-1280 v5 is faster in every directly comparable benchmark. Its 9.4% lead in multi-core and up to 9.4% lead in single-core Cinebench tests is consistent and substantial, driven by higher base and boost clocks (3.70/4.00 GHz vs 2.90/3.80 GHz). For workloads that rely on CPU compute—rendering, compilation, or similar multi-threaded tasks—the Xeon is the better performer based on the benchmark evidence.

The Core i7-7700T, however, holds advantages that the head-to-head scores do not capture. Its 35 W TDP is less than half the Xeon's 80 W, making it the clear choice for power-constrained systems. It also includes HD 630 integrated graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely, meaning the i7-7700T can power a display without a discrete GPU. Additionally, the i7-7700T is listed as active production status, while the Xeon is end-of-life, suggesting availability considerations for new builds.

The i7-7700T's higher average benchmark score (2039 vs 2029) and identical 45th percentile ranking indicate that, on a broader test mix, the two chips are functionally equivalent in overall performance. The Xeon's wins are limited to the Cinebench suite, while the i7-7700T's Geekbench results (which are not compared head-to-head) contribute to its higher average. Thus, the choice depends on priorities: the Xeon for raw CPU throughput and ECC support, the i7-7700T for low power, integrated graphics, and a newer, active platform. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $612.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1280 v5 | Intel Core i7-7700T |

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

| Architecture | Skylake | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Skylake-DT | Kaby Lake |

| Generation | Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) | Core i7 (Kaby Lake) |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 80 W | 35 W |

| Transistors | 1,750 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 122 mm² | Not specified |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | None | HD 630 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2015-10-18 | 2017-01-02 |

| Part Number | SR2LC | SR339 |

The shared specifications are the socket (Intel Socket 1151), process node (14 nm), core count (4), thread count (8), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), L3 cache (8 MB shared), memory support (DDR4 dual-channel), PCIe (Gen 3, 16 lanes, CPU only), and locked multiplier. The i7-7700T also lists a launch MSRP of null, which means no launch MSRP is available for that part.