Intel Core i7-7700T vs Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 wins all six recorded head-to-head Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i7-7700T does not win a single one.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The Xeon leads by 11.9% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 12% in R20 multi-core, and 12% in R23 multi-core. The Core i7-7700T trails consistently by roughly 12% in every multi-core test.

Q: Does the Core i7-7700T have any advantage in single-core tests?

A: No. The Xeon E5-2628 v3 edges ahead in single-core Cinebench tests too, with deltas between 11.8% and 12.1%. Even though the Core i7 has a higher boost clock, the recorded data does not show it winning any single-core test.

Q: What are the core and thread counts of each CPU?

A: The Xeon E5-2628 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Core i7-7700T has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon offers exactly double the core and thread count.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Xeon E5-2628 v3 supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-7700T does not. The Xeon also uses a quad-channel memory bus, whereas the Core i7 uses dual-channel.

Q: What is the market segment for each chip?

A: The Xeon E5-2628 v3 is aimed at the server and workstation segment, while the Core i7-7700T is a desktop part. The Xeon is listed as end-of-life, while the Core i7 is listed as active production.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split is one-sided: the Xeon E5-2628 v3 claims all six head-to-head victories. That means the server part is the clear choice for threaded rendering workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 723 versus 646, an 11.9% margin. The R20 multi-core result shows 3015 versus 2692, and R23 multi-core gives 7179 versus 6410. The pattern holds for single-core runs as well, where the Xeon wins R15 single-core 102 to 91, R20 single-core 425 to 380, and R23 single-core 1013 to 905.

The Core i7-7700T has no wins in the recorded data, but its profile fits a different use case on paper. The 35W TDP is a major differentiator for compact or thermally constrained desktop builds. The 4-core, 8-thread layout with a boost clock of 3.80 GHz suggests a lower-power mainstream role, even if the benchmark scores do not favor it. The 8 MB shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory bus are typical desktop-class specifications.

For buyers choosing purely on Cinebench results, the Xeon E5-2628 v3 wins every measured workload. For those prioritizing a lower thermal envelope and a desktop socket, the Core i7-7700T is the only one of the two that fits that bill. The Xeon's 85W TDP and Socket 2011-3 platform point to a workstation motherboard, not a small form factor desktop.

Architecture Differences

The Xeon E5-2628 v3 is built on the Haswell architecture, specifically the Haswell-EP codename, using a 22 nm process node from Intel. The package contains 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. Its 8 cores each have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache, with a shared 20 MB L3 cache. The memory subsystem uses quad-channel DDR4 with a theoretical bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory, a staple for server reliability.

The Core i7-7700T comes from the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node. It has 4 cores with the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes, but only 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory bus is dual-channel DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. It lacks ECC support. The Core i7 also integrates HD 630 graphics, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics listed.

The process node difference is significant: 22 nm versus 14 nm. The newer Kaby Lake process allows a lower 35W TDP despite a higher base clock of 2.90 GHz versus 2.50 GHz on the Xeon. The Xeon compensates with more cores, more cache, and a wider memory bus. The Xeon also offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, whereas the Core i7 has 16 Gen 3 lanes.

Generation-wise, the Xeon belongs to the Haswell-EP family, released in September 2014. The Core i7 belongs to Kaby Lake, released in January 2017. Both are locked (multiplier not unlocked), meaning no overclocking via multiplier adjustments for either.

Specification Differences

The most obvious difference is core count: 8 cores and 16 threads for the Xeon versus 4 cores and 8 threads for the Core i7. Clock speeds go the other way: the Core i7 has a 2.90 GHz base clock and a 3.80 GHz boost clock, while the Xeon runs at 2.50 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost. The Core i7 boosts 26.7% higher, yet it still loses every single-core benchmark in the recorded data.

TDP is where the Core i7 shines: 35W versus 85W for the Xeon. That is a 50W difference, which is substantial for cooling and power delivery. The sockets differ completely: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3, while the Core i7 uses Intel Socket 1151. They are not interchangeable.

Memory channels differ: quad-channel on the Xeon versus dual-channel on the Core i7. The measured memory bandwidth reflects this: 68.3 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC, the Core i7 does not. PCIe lane counts differ at 40 versus 16, both Gen 3.

Cache hierarchy differs in L3 only: 20 MB shared on the Xeon versus 8 MB shared on the Core i7. L1 and L2 are identical per core at 64 KB and 256 KB respectively. The Xeon has a larger die at 356 mm² with 2,600 million transistors, while the Core i7's transistor count and die size are not recorded.

The Xeon lacks integrated graphics; the Core i7 includes HD 630. Production status differs: the Xeon is end-of-life, the Core i7 is active. The Xeon is classified as server/workstation, the Core i7 as desktop. Release dates are about two and a half years apart, with the Xeon launching first.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

All six head-to-head tests come from the Cinebench suite, and the Xeon E5-2628 v3 wins every one. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Xeon scores 425 against the Core i7's 380, a delta of 11.8%. The largest margin is in R15 single-core, where the Xeon scores 102 versus 91, a delta of 12.1%.

Multi-core results show consistent 12% leads. In R15 multi-core, the Xeon posts 723 versus 646, an 11.9% advantage. In R20 multi-core, it is 3015 versus 2692, a 12% gap. In R23 multi-core, the Xeon reaches 7179 against 6410 for the Core i7, again 12%.

Single-core results are nearly identical in percentage terms. R15 single-core gives the Xeon a 12.1% win. R20 single-core gives an 11.8% win. R23 single-core gives an 11.9% win. The consistency is striking: every test lands between 11.8% and 12.1%.

The Core i7-7700T has a higher boost clock by 0.80 GHz, but the Xeon still takes single-core tests. The data suggests the Xeon's architecture, possibly its larger L3 cache and memory bandwidth, compensates for the clock deficit. The 8-core Xeon also has double the threads, which explains the multi-core edge.

Looking at overall average benchmark scores, the Xeon sits at 2076, while the Core i7 sits at 2039. That is a gap of about 1.8%, much smaller than the Cinebench deltas. The Xeon's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Xeon W-2123 at 2079 (delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i3-9350KF at 2082 (delta -0.3%), and the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 at 2067 (delta +0.5%). The Core i7's nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6386 SE at 2038 (delta +0.1%) and the Intel Core i7-3960X at 2037 (delta +0.1%).

The percentile rankings are close: the Xeon is at the 46th percentile of all CPUs, the Core i7 at the 45th. Both sit near the middle of the database, but the Xeon edges ahead in every direct comparison. The Core i7 has additional Geekbench scores recorded, with 3938 multi-core and 1248 single-core, though no head-to-head Geekbench data exists for the Xeon in the comparison set.

The takeaway from the recorded benchmarks: the Xeon E5-2628 v3 wins all six head-to-head tests by a narrow but uniform margin. The Core i7-7700T never overtakes it, even in single-threaded workloads where its higher boost clock should help. The Xeon's overall average benchmark score and percentile ranking reinforce its slight but consistent edge.