Intel Core i7-8559U vs Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3 and the Intel Core i7-8559U occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, yet their benchmark averages are nearly identical. The Xeon scores an average benchmark score of 2227, while the Core i7 achieves 2225, placing them in the same 47th percentile of all CPUs. The head-to-head data reveals that the Xeon wins all six recorded Cinebench tests, but the margins are consistently around 10%, making the choice between them a matter of workload priorities rather than raw dominance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E5-4648 v3 wins every single benchmark in the comparison, but the victories are uniform and narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 776 against the i7-8559U's 703, a 10.4% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 109 for the Xeon versus 99 for the i7, a 10.1% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon posts 3234 multi-core and 456 single-core, while the i7-8559U manages 2933 and 414 respectively—both results are 10.3% and 10.1% behind. The latest Cinebench R23 test continues the pattern: 7701 versus 6984 in multi-core (10.3% ahead) and 1087 versus 986 in single-core (10.2% ahead).

These numbers suggest a consistent architectural edge for the Xeon, but the magnitude is modest. A 10% performance gap is noticeable in sustained rendering workloads but rarely decisive in interactive tasks. The i7-8559U's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz does not translate into a win in any recorded test, indicating that the Xeon's older architecture compensates through other means. Notably, the i7-8559U has additional Geekbench scores (4293 multi-core, 1384 single-core) not present for the Xeon, but those results do not change the head-to-head outcome since no Geekbench comparison is listed.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different platforms. The Xeon E5-4648 v3 uses the Haswell-EP architecture on a 22 nm process node, with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. It features 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 1700 MHz and a boost clock of 2.20 GHz. The i7-8559U, in contrast, uses the newer Kaby Lake-R architecture on a 14 nm process, with a 123 mm² die and no transistor count listed. It has only 4 cores and 8 threads, but runs at a much higher base clock of 2.70 GHz and boosts to 4.50 GHz.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Xeon offers 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus a large 30 MB shared L3 cache. The i7-8559U has the same per-core L1 and L2 sizes but only 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support also diverges: the Xeon uses quad-channel DDR4 with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, while the i7-8559U supports DDR4 but has no listed memory bus, bandwidth, or ECC capability. The Xeon provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the i7 has no PCIe information listed. The i7 includes integrated Iris Pro Plus graphics, whereas the Xeon has none. The Xeon targets the server/workstation segment on Socket 2011-3, while the i7 is a mobile part on BGA 1356.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i7-8559U has only 4 cores and 8 threads, exactly one-third the core count and one-third the thread count.

Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E5-4648 v3 supports ECC memory and uses quad-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core i7-8559U does not list ECC support and has no memory bandwidth specification.

Q: What is the performance difference in single-core workloads?

A: The Xeon leads in all single-core Cinebench tests: 109 versus 99 in R15 (10.1% ahead), 456 versus 414 in R20 (10.1% ahead), and 1087 versus 986 in R23 (10.2% ahead). Despite the i7's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 2.20 GHz, the Xeon still wins.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-8559U has integrated graphics, specifically Iris Pro Plus. The Xeon E5-4648 v3 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: Are these CPUs in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both processors are in the 47th percentile of all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 2227 for the Xeon and 2225 for the i7, a difference of only 0.1%.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Xeon E5-4648 v3 is end-of-life, released in 2015. The Core i7-8559U is active and was released in 2018.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow winner: the Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3 outperforms the Intel Core i7-8559U in every recorded benchmark, with margins between 10.1% and 10.4%. If you prioritize raw multi-core throughput for rendering or server workloads, the Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads deliver more consistent results, as shown by its 776 R15 multi-core score versus 703 for the i7. However, the i7-8559U is not far behind, and its 28 W TDP (versus the Xeon's 105 W) makes it a far more power-efficient choice for mobile or compact systems. The Xeon's ECC memory support and quad-channel bandwidth make it suitable for reliability-focused builds, while the i7's integrated Iris Pro Plus graphics and active production status give it longevity advantages. The Xeon's launch MSRP is $2405; the i7 has no listed launch MSRP. For a buyer needing maximum thread count and memory bandwidth, the Xeon is the pick. For a buyer needing integrated graphics and lower power draw, the i7 is the pick.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3 | Intel Core i7-8559U |

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

| Cores | 12 | 4 |

| Threads | 24 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1700 MHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.20 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | Intel BGA 1356 |

| Architecture | Haswell-EP | Kaby Lake-R |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 123 mm² |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 30 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Not listed |

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Pro Plus |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2015-05-31 | 2018-04-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $2405 | Not listed |

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E5-4648 v3 wins in every benchmark category tested, making it the superior choice for multi-threaded rendering and compute-heavy tasks. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with 30 MB of L3 cache, deliver a 10.3% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core (3234 versus 2933) and a 10.4% lead in R15 multi-core (776 versus 703). For server or workstation workloads that rely on ECC memory and quad-channel bandwidth, the Xeon's 59.7 GB/s memory throughput and 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are decisive advantages. The Xeon also wins single-core tests by roughly 10%, despite its much lower boost clock, indicating that its architecture extracts more performance per clock in the Cinebench suite.

The Core i7-8559U wins where the Xeon cannot compete: power efficiency and platform flexibility. Its 28 W TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops or fanless designs, while the Xeon's 105 W TDP requires substantial cooling. The i7's integrated Iris Pro Plus graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display tasks, which the Xeon cannot offer. The i7 is also an active product with a 2018 release date, meaning it is still in production, while the Xeon is end-of-life. For workloads that are not heavily multi-threaded—such as everyday productivity or light content creation—the i7's 4.50 GHz boost clock provides responsive performance, though the benchmark data shows it still trails the Xeon in Cinebench single-core tests. The i7's smaller 123 mm² die and 14 nm process also make it a more compact, modern design, though the Xeon's larger 356 mm² die packs far more cores. Ultimately, the Xeon is the performance winner in all measured tests, while the i7 is the practical winner for mobile, low-power, or graphics-inclusive builds.