Intel Core i7-7920HQ vs Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7920HQ and Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 are both 45-watt, four-core, eight-thread processors aimed at high-performance mobile and compact workstation systems. Despite their similar core counts and power envelopes, benchmark results show a consistent and decisive performance gap between the two, with the Xeon leading in every single measured workload. Both chips are end-of-life products, with the Core i7-7920HQ launching with a $568 MSRP and the Xeon E3-1585L v5 launching at $445.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 wins all six head-to-head tests, with a remarkably consistent performance advantage. In Cinebench R15, the Xeon scores 693 in the multicore test against the Core i7-7920HQ’s 619, a margin of 10.7% in the Xeon’s favor. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern, with the Xeon posting 97 points versus 87 points for the i7-7920HQ, a 10.3% lead.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon’s multicore score of 2888 tops the i7-7920HQ’s 2583 by 10.6%. In the R20 single-core test, the Xeon’s 407 exceeds the i7-7920HQ’s 364 by the same 10.6% margin. The trend continues into Cinebench R23, where the Xeon achieves a multicore score of 6878 compared to the i7-7920HQ’s 6151, again a 10.6% difference. The R23 single-core result shows the Xeon at 971 versus 868 for the i7-7920HQ, another 10.6% gap.

The consistency of these margins is notable. Across five of the six tests, the Xeon’s advantage is a nearly identical 10.6%, with only the R15 single-core test showing a slightly smaller lead at 10.3%. This uniformity suggests a fundamental architectural efficiency difference rather than a workload-specific quirk. In Geekbench, the i7-7920HQ records a multicore score of 3999 and a single-core score of 1267, though the Xeon has no corresponding Geekbench data in the pack for direct comparison. Overall, the Xeon’s average benchmark score of 1989 sits just 0.2% below the i7-7920HQ’s 1992, a negligible aggregate difference that masks the Xeon’s consistent wins in the Cinebench suite.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node and share the same Intel BGA 1440 socket, but they come from different architectural generations. The Core i7-7920HQ is based on the Kaby Lake architecture (codename Kaby Lake-H), while the Xeon E3-1585L v5 uses the older Skylake architecture (codename Skylake-H). The die sizes differ significantly: the i7-7920HQ has a die size of 126 mm², whereas the Xeon E3-1585L v5 is substantially larger at 171 mm² and contains 2,300 million transistors.

Cache configurations are identical on paper. Both processors feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is also the same in scope, with both supporting DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The Xeon E3-1585L v5, however, lists a specific memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i7-7920HQ’s memory bandwidth is not specified in the data.

A major differentiator is ECC memory support. The Xeon E3-1585L v5 supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-7920HQ does not. This positions the Xeon for server and workstation reliability use cases, while the i7-7920HQ is aimed at the mobile consumer and enthusiast segment. The integrated graphics also differ: the Xeon features Iris Pro Graphics P580, a more capable graphics solution, while the i7-7920HQ ships with Intel HD Graphics 630.

Clock speeds favor the Core i7-7920HQ on paper. The i7-7920HQ has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the Xeon E3-1585L v5 runs at a 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. Both are locked multipliers, and both provide Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes from the CPU. The market segments differ as well: the i7-7920HQ is classified as a mobile part, while the Xeon E3-1585L v5 targets server and workstation platforms.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Xeon E3-1585L v5 wins in every measured workload. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multicore and single-core tests favor the Xeon by roughly 10.3% to 10.7%. This gives the Xeon a clear edge in rendering tasks, which are typically multi-threaded and benefit from sustained multicore performance. The single-core wins also indicate that the Xeon has superior per-thread efficiency, which matters for applications that rely on a few fast threads, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity tools.

The Core i7-7920HQ’s advantages are less visible in the benchmark suite but exist in the specifications. Its higher base and boost clocks, 3.10 GHz and 4.10 GHz respectively, suggest it could have a theoretical edge in short, bursty workloads where boost clock headroom matters. However, the benchmark results show that the Xeon’s lower clock speeds do not translate into lower performance; the Xeon’s architecture appears more efficient per clock. The i7-7920HQ also has a Geekbench presence with a multicore score of 3999 and a single-core score of 1267, but without a comparable Xeon Geekbench score, no direct comparison can be made from the data.

For users prioritizing ECC memory support, the Xeon is the only choice between the two. Its support for ECC memory and classification as a server/workstation part make it suitable for data integrity-sensitive environments. The i7-7920HQ, by contrast, has no ECC support and is positioned squarely as a mobile consumer processor. The Xeon also offers a more powerful integrated graphics solution with Iris Pro Graphics P580, which could benefit systems without a discrete GPU.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is clear: the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 is the stronger performer in every head-to-head test, despite having lower base and boost clocks than the Core i7-7920HQ. The Xeon’s consistent 10.6% lead in Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore and single-core tests, along with a 10.7% lead in R15 multicore and a 10.3% lead in R15 single-core, demonstrates a clear architectural efficiency advantage. Anyone choosing between these two processors strictly on performance should select the Xeon E3-1585L v5.

The Xeon also adds ECC memory support and a more capable integrated GPU, making it the more versatile choice for workstation and reliability-focused builds. Its larger die size of 171 mm² and higher transistor count of 2,300 million, compared to the i7-7920HQ’s 126 mm² die, likely contribute to its performance edge. The Xeon’s lower launch MSRP of $445, versus $568 for the i7-7920HQ, further reinforces its position as the better-value option for those who can use its features.

The Core i7-7920HQ is not without merit, but its case rests on specifications rather than measured results. It offers higher clock speeds and a smaller die, which could imply lower power consumption per unit of area, but its benchmark scores lag the Xeon across the board. Its Geekbench scores of 3999 multicore and 1267 single-core are respectable, but they do not overcome the Xeon’s dominance in the Cinebench suite. For a mobile user who does not need ECC memory and values the newer Kaby Lake architecture, the i7-7920HQ remains a functional choice, but the data shows it trails the Xeon in every test that both chips share.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 scores 6878 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 10.6% higher than the Intel Core i7-7920HQ’s 6151.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-7920HQ support ECC memory?

A: No. The Core i7-7920HQ does not support ECC memory, while the Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 does support ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two CPUs?

A: The Core i7-7920HQ has an average benchmark score of 1992, while the Xeon E3-1585L v5 has an average score of 1989, a difference of only 0.2%.

Q: How do the clock speeds compare?

A: The Core i7-7920HQ has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The Xeon E3-1585L v5 has a lower base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a larger die size?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 has a die size of 171 mm² and contains 2,300 million transistors. The Intel Core i7-7920HQ has a smaller die size of 126 mm².

Q: In how many head-to-head benchmarks does the Xeon E3-1585L v5 win?

A: The Xeon E3-1585L v5 wins all 6 head-to-head benchmarks against the Core i7-7920HQ, with margins ranging from 10.3% to 10.7%.