Intel Core i7-8665UE vs Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a remarkably one-sided picture. Across every Cinebench iteration, from R15 through R23, and in both single-core and multi-core tests, the Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 takes the win. That is six out of six head-to-head matchups, with no recorded victories for the Intel Core i7-8665UE. The margins are narrow, but they are consistent.

The Xeon E5-1607 v3 leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core by 1.7%, scoring 422 against 415. The same 1.7% advantage appears in R15 single-core, where it posts 59 versus 58. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap narrows slightly to 1.7% again, with scores of 1761 and 1732. The single-core R20 result shows a 1.6% edge, 248 to 244. Moving to R23, the Xeon maintains its lead at 1.7% in multi-core, 4193 against 4124, and 1.5% in single-core, 591 versus 582.

What does this mean for use cases? The Xeon E5-1607 v3 is the stronger performer in every measured workload category. Its victory in single-core tests matters for lightly threaded applications, while its multi-core wins suggest an edge in rendering or encoding tasks. The Core i7-8665UE, despite its newer architecture and higher boost clock, does not surpass the older Xeon in any Cinebench test recorded in the database.

The percentile rankings reinforce this split. The Xeon sits at the 34th percentile among all CPUs, while the Core i7-8665UE sits at the 33rd. The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: 1212 for the Xeon, 1193 for the Core i7. Neither chip is a high-flyer in the broader CPU landscape, but the Xeon consistently edges ahead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and target different segments. The Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 is a Haswell-EP part, built on Intel's 22 nm process, and aimed at the server and workstation market. It uses the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform and carries a 140 W thermal design power. The Core i7-8665UE, by contrast, is a Whiskey Lake-U mobile chip on 14 nm, soldered to Intel BGA 1528, with a 15 W TDP and integrated UHD Graphics 620.

Core counts are identical at four, but threading differs. The Xeon runs four threads on its four cores, while the Core i7 uses Hyper-Threading to reach eight threads. This gives the mobile chip a theoretical throughput advantage in highly parallel workloads, yet the benchmark data shows it still loses in multi-core Cinebench tests. The Xeon's base clock is listed at 3.10 GHz with no boost clock recorded. The Core i7 has a base clock of 1700.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, a much wider operating range that does not translate into benchmark wins.

Cache layouts differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the Xeon's shared L3 is 10 MB, while the Core i7's is 8 MB. The Xeon supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The Core i7 supports dual-channel DDR3 or DDR4, with 38.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon, not on the Core i7. PCIe lane counts differ: the Xeon provides 40 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, the Core i7 provides 16.

Process node and die size also separate them. The Xeon is a 22 nm chip with 2,600 million transistors and a die size of 356 mm². The Core i7's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. Release dates show the Xeon arriving in September 2014 and the Core i7 in September 2018. Both are end-of-life products, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the uniformity of the margins. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Xeon E5-1607 v3 wins by either 1.5%, 1.6%, or 1.7%. There is no single test where the Core i7-8665UE comes out ahead, and no test where the Xeon's advantage exceeds 1.7%.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 422 against the Core i7's 415. The 1.7% delta is small but consistent. In R15 single-core, the Xeon posts 59, the Core i7 posts 58, again a 1.7% gap. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1761 versus 1732, a 1.7% difference. The single-core R20 result is 248 to 244, a 1.6% edge. Cinebench R23 multi-core has the Xeon at 4193 and the Core i7 at 4124, a 1.7% lead. The final test, R23 single-core, sees 591 against 582, a 1.5% margin.

These are not large differences. In absolute terms, the Xeon outperforms the Core i7 by roughly 7 to 69 points depending on the test. The consistency of the delta suggests a fundamental, if modest, performance advantage for the Xeon architecture in these workloads. The Core i7's higher boost clock and additional threads do not overcome the Xeon's larger cache, higher memory bandwidth, or quad-channel memory controller.

When compared to their own nearest rivals, both chips sit in a tight cluster. The Xeon's closest competitor, the Intel Core i3-7300T, scores 1211, just 0.1% behind. The Core i7-8665UE's nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-4170, scores 1193, identical on average. The data indicates that both processors are firmly in the mid-range of performance, with the Xeon holding a slight but real edge.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 scores 591 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i7-8665UE scores 582. The Xeon leads by 1.5%.

Q: Does the Core i7-8665UE ever win a benchmark?

A: No. In the recorded head-to-head data, the Xeon E5-1607 v3 wins all six Cinebench tests. The Core i7-8665UE has zero wins in the matchup.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Xeon E5-1607 v3 supports quad-channel DDR4 with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i7-8665UE supports dual-channel DDR3 or DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-8665UE does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon E5-1607 v3 has an average benchmark score of 1212, and the Core i7-8665UE has an average of 1193. The Xeon sits at the 34th percentile, the Core i7 at the 33rd.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings?

A: The Xeon E5-1607 v3 has a 140 W TDP, and the Core i7-8665UE has a 15 W TDP.

The Verdict

The data leads to a clear conclusion for performance-focused buyers. The Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 wins every recorded benchmark in this comparison. It is faster in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests, from R15 through R23. If raw compute performance is the only criterion, the Xeon is the choice.

The Core i7-8665UE does have advantages, but they are not in the benchmark scores. It draws far less power at 15 W versus 140 W, which matters for mobile or thermally constrained systems. It also includes integrated graphics, which the Xeon lacks. For a desktop or workstation where power consumption is not a concern and a discrete GPU is assumed, the Xeon's performance edge wins out.

The Xeon's quad-channel memory and 40 PCIe lanes also make it a better fit for workstation workloads that demand high memory bandwidth or many expansion cards. The Core i7's dual-channel memory and 16 lanes limit it in those scenarios. ECC memory support on the Xeon adds another point for reliability-focused builds.

For users prioritizing efficiency, integrated graphics, and a compact mobile platform, the Core i7-8665UE is the sensible pick. For users prioritizing raw performance and platform capabilities, the Xeon E5-1607 v3 is the clear winner. The benchmark data shows no scenario in this test suite where the Core i7 overtakes the Xeon.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 | Intel Core i7-8665UE |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 1700.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | None recorded | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | Intel BGA 1528 |

| Architecture | Haswell-EP | Whiskey Lake-U |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | Not recorded |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe Lanes | 40 (Gen 3) | 16 (Gen 3) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 620 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | September 2014 | September 2018 |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $409 |