Intel Core i7-8559U vs Intel Xeon D-1715TER Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1715TER and Intel Core i7-8559U are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target entirely different market segments. The Xeon D-1715TER is a server/workstation part built on the Ice Lake-D architecture, while the Core i7-8559U is a mobile processor from the Kaby Lake-R family. Benchmark data shows the Xeon D-1715TER winning all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, but the comparison is more nuanced than a simple sweep suggests, given the differences in platform features, power envelopes, and intended use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The data is one-sided in raw compute performance. The Intel Xeon D-1715TER wins all six head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 10.1% to 10.8%. This is a consistent margin across both single-core and multi-core workloads, indicating a fundamental performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The Xeon D-1715TER leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core (779 vs 703), R20 multi-core (3249 vs 2933), and R23 multi-core (7738 vs 6984). It also leads in every single-core test: R15 (109 vs 99), R20 (458 vs 414), and R23 (1092 vs 986).

The Core i7-8559U, however, has no benchmark wins in this comparison. Its advantage lies outside the Cinebench suite. The i7-8559U includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Plus), while the Xeon D-1715TER has no integrated graphics listed. The i7-8559U also has a lower TDP of 28 watts compared to the Xeon's 50 watts, making it more suitable for thermally constrained mobile environments. The Xeon D-1715TER compensates with ECC memory support, a triple-channel memory bus, and PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes — features that matter for server reliability and expandability but are absent from the Core i7's specification list.

In terms of average benchmark scores, the Xeon D-1715TER scores 2238, narrowly edging out the i7-8559U's 2225. Both processors sit at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in the broader CPU landscape. The Xeon D-1715TER's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, which scores 2246 and is 0.3% ahead. The i7-8559U's closest rival is the Intel Core i7-5775C at 2224, with a delta of 0%. This suggests that while the Xeon D-1715TER wins the direct comparison, neither chip is a performance outlier in its class.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Xeon D-1715TER uses the Ice Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-8559U is based on the older Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm node. This process difference likely contributes to the Xeon's performance edge despite lower clock speeds. The Xeon D-1715TER has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The Core i7-8559U has a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz and a much higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz, yet it still loses in every benchmark.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The Xeon D-1715TER has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i7-8559U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon's larger L2 cache (1.25 MB vs 256 KB per core) is a notable difference that likely aids in multi-threaded workloads. The Xeon also has a larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

The Xeon D-1715TER supports triple-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 64.0 GB/s, while the Core i7-8559U's memory bus and bandwidth are not listed. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon D-1715TER but not on the Core i7-8559U. The Xeon uses the Intel BGA 2227 socket, while the Core i7-8559U uses the Intel BGA 1356 socket. The Core i7-8559U has a die size of 123 mm², while the Xeon D-1715TER's die size is not listed. The Xeon D-1715TER also has a higher TDP of 50 watts versus 28 watts for the Core i7-8559U.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the consistency of the Xeon D-1715TER's lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 779 against the i7-8559U's 703, a 10.8% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 109 vs 99, a 10.1% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 3249 vs 2933, again a 10.8% delta. The single-core R20 test shows 458 vs 414, a 10.6% lead. In the more demanding Cinebench R23, the multi-core scores are 7738 vs 6984, a 10.8% delta, and the single-core scores are 1092 vs 986, also a 10.8% delta.

The largest single-score gap is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Xeon D-1715TER outperforms the Core i7-8559U by 754 points. The smallest absolute gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon leads by just 10 points. Interestingly, the percentage delta is nearly identical across all tests, hovering around 10.8% for multi-core and slightly lower (10.1% to 10.6%) for single-core. This uniformity suggests the performance difference is architectural and scales evenly across workload types.

The Core i7-8559U has two additional Geekbench scores in its benchmark list: 4293 for multi-core and 1384 for single-core. However, the Xeon D-1715TER has no corresponding Geekbench scores, so a direct comparison is impossible for that test. The absence of Geekbench data for the Xeon D-1715TER means the head-to-head comparison is limited to Cinebench tests only, where the Xeon's dominance is clear.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for raw compute performance: the Intel Xeon D-1715TER. It wins every Cinebench test by roughly 10% or more, and its average benchmark score of 2238 is higher than the Core i7-8559U's 2225. For server or workstation workloads that prioritize multi-threaded rendering or calculation, the Xeon D-1715TER is the better option. Its ECC memory support and triple-channel memory bus also make it suitable for reliability-critical applications.

The Intel Core i7-8559U, however, is not without merit. Its 28-watt TDP makes it more power-efficient, and its integrated Iris Pro Plus graphics provide a display output capability that the Xeon D-1715TER lacks. For mobile or compact systems where power consumption and integrated graphics are priorities, the Core i7-8559U is the logical choice. Its higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz does not translate into a benchmark win, but it may offer better responsiveness in short, bursty tasks not captured by Cinebench.

Both processors occupy the 47th percentile among all CPUs, so neither is a high-end performer. The Xeon D-1715TER is 0.3% ahead of its nearest rival (AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500), while the Core i7-8559U is tied with its closest competitor (Intel Core i7-5775C). Users who need server-grade features like ECC memory and PCIe Gen 4 should choose the Xeon D-1715TER. Users who need a compact, low-power chip with integrated graphics should choose the Core i7-8559U, accepting a 10% performance deficit in Cinebench workloads.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon D-1715TER wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 779 vs 703 in R15, 3249 vs 2933 in R20, and 7738 vs 6984 in R23, with a consistent 10.8% delta in each.

Q: Does the Core i7-8559U have any performance advantage?

A: No, the Core i7-8559U loses all six head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks. Its advantages are non-performance related: a lower TDP of 28 watts versus 50 watts, and integrated Iris Pro Plus graphics.

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

A: The Xeon D-1715TER has an average benchmark score of 2238, while the Core i7-8559U scores 2225. The Xeon leads by 13 points, which is a 0.6% difference.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon D-1715TER supports ECC memory. The Core i7-8559U does not list ECC memory support.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The Xeon D-1715TER has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The Core i7-8559U has a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, yet still loses in all benchmarks.

Q: Are they on the same socket?

A: No. The Xeon D-1715TER uses Intel BGA 2227, while the Core i7-8559U uses Intel BGA 1356.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-1715TER | Intel Core i7-8559U |

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

| Architecture | Ice Lake | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Ice Lake-D | Kaby Lake-R |

| Generation | Xeon D (Ice Lake-D) | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 50 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2227 | Intel BGA 1356 |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 10 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Not listed |

| Memory Bandwidth | 64.0 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Pro Plus |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Die Size | Not listed | 123 mm² |

| Release Date | 2022-02-23 | 2018-04-04 |