Intel Core i7-8700B vs Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 Comparison

The benchmark data positions the Intel Core i7-8700B as the clear winner in most CPU-bound workloads, taking 7 out of 8 head-to-head tests. Its advantage is most pronounced in single-threaded performance, where it leads by as much as 28.6% in Geekbench. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4, however, claims a narrow victory in the Geekbench multi-core test, a result that highlights the different design priorities of the two processors.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core i7-8700B dominates the Cinebench suite. Across all three versions of the test, both multi-core and single-core, it consistently outperforms the Xeon E5-1650 v4 by a margin of 4% or close to it. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8700B scores 1005 against the Xeon's 966, a 4% lead. The single-core R15 result is similar, with the i7-8700B at 141 and the Xeon at 136, a 3.7% difference. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i7-8700B scores 4190 multi-core and 591 single-core, compared to the Xeon's 4028 and 568, both representing a 4% advantage for the i7-8700B. The most recent Cinebench R23 test shows the same story: the i7-8700B scores 9977 multi-core and 1408 single-core, versus the Xeon's 9592 and 1354, again a 4% lead for the i7-8700B in both metrics.

The Geekbench results tell a more nuanced story. In the single-core test, the i7-8700B achieves a decisive victory with a score of 1443 compared to the Xeon E5-1650 v4's 1122. This 28.6% margin is the largest performance gap recorded between the two processors in any test. However, in the Geekbench multi-core test, the tables turn. The Xeon E5-1650 v4 scores 6060, edging out the i7-8700B's 5936, a 2% difference in favor of the Xeon. This is the sole benchmark where the Xeon comes out on top, suggesting that its architecture handles the specific multi-threaded workload in Geekbench more efficiently, despite losing all other multi-core tests.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split. The i7-8700B has an average score of 3086, while the Xeon E5-1650 v4 sits at 2978. The i7-8700B's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Xeon W-2133 with an average score of 3087 and the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U at 3096, indicating it sits in a competitive mid-range tier. The Xeon E5-1650 v4's closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U and Intel Xeon E-2334, both with average scores of 2988. Both processors fall into the 52nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they are squarely in the middle of the performance distribution.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous for most users: the Intel Core i7-8700B is the superior processor. It wins 7 of the 8 recorded benchmarks, and its victories are not marginal. The 28.6% lead in Geekbench single-core is a massive gap, and the consistent 4% advantage across all Cinebench tests, both single and multi-core, demonstrates a well-rounded performance profile. The i7-8700B's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz compared to the Xeon's 4.00 GHz is a likely factor in this consistent win.

The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 is the choice only in a very specific scenario. Its single win in Geekbench multi-core, with a score of 6060 against 5936, shows that it can handle that particular workload better. However, this is a narrow 2% victory in a single test, while it loses every other multi-core test by a larger margin. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, it trails by 4%, a larger deficit than its 2% win in Geekbench. The Xeon's higher base clock of 3.60 GHz does not translate into a general performance advantage.

For a user prioritizing raw compute speed in applications similar to Cinebench, which is a common proxy for rendering and 3D modeling workloads, the i7-8700B is the clear pick. The data shows no scenario where the Xeon E5-1650 v4 is a better choice for general productivity, given its losses in 7 out of 8 tests. The only reason to prefer the Xeon would be if the specific software being used behaves like the Geekbench multi-core test, but the weight of evidence across the benchmark suite favors the i7-8700B.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different architectural generations and are designed for different platforms. The Intel Core i7-8700B uses the Coffee Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process node with a die size of 154 mm². It is a mobile-oriented part on the Intel BGA 1440 socket. The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 uses the Broadwell-EP architecture, also on a 14 nm process, but with a significantly larger die size of 246 mm² and a transistor count of 3,400 million. It is designed for the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform.

Both processors have 6 cores and 12 threads, and both have the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 cache at 256 KB per core. The key cache difference is in the L3 cache. The i7-8700B has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E5-1650 v4 has a larger 15 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger cache is a potential factor in the Xeon's single Geekbench multi-core win, as it may allow it to hold more data for that specific test.

Memory and I/O capabilities are major differentiators. The i7-8700B supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon E5-1650 v4 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, doubling the potential bandwidth to 76.8 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i7-8700B. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i7-8700B provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes. The i7-8700B includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

The processors also have different release timelines. The i7-8700B was released in April 2018, while the Xeon E5-1650 v4 was released earlier in June 2016. Both are end-of-life products. The i7-8700B has a launch MSRP of $303, while the Xeon E5-1650 v4 has a launch MSRP of $621. The i7-8700B's 65 W TDP is substantially lower than the Xeon's 140 W TDP, indicating a large difference in power consumption and thermal output.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core tasks?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700B is significantly faster. It leads by 3.7% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 4% in Cinebench R20 single-core, 4% in Cinebench R23 single-core, and a massive 28.6% in Geekbench single-core.

Q: Does the Xeon E5-1650 v4 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins the Geekbench multi-core test with a score of 6060, compared to the i7-8700B's 5936, a 2% advantage. This is its only win out of 8 recorded head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for both CPUs?

A: Both the Intel Core i7-8700B and the Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 have exactly 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do their memory bandwidths compare?

A: The Xeon E5-1650 v4 supports quad-channel memory with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, which is nearly double the i7-8700B's dual-channel bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-8700B does not.

Q: What is the difference in their L3 cache sizes?

A: The Xeon E5-1650 v4 has a larger L3 cache at 15 MB shared, while the i7-8700B has 12 MB shared.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8700B is the winner for almost every computing scenario. Its consistent 4% lead across all Cinebench multi-core tests shows it is the better choice for rendering, video encoding, and other tasks that scale across cores. Its even larger lead in single-core tests, particularly the 28.6% in Geekbench, makes it the superior option for everyday responsiveness, office applications, web browsing, and any software that relies on single-threaded performance. The lower TDP of 65 W also makes it a more efficient choice for systems where power and heat are a concern. Its integrated graphics also provide a basic display output capability that the Xeon lacks.

The Intel Xeon E5-1650 v4 has a more specialized profile. Its sole benchmark win in Geekbench multi-core suggests it may have a slight edge in that specific type of workload, which could be relevant for certain scientific or analytical applications that mimic that test's pattern. The quad-channel memory support and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth make it the better candidate for memory-intensive tasks that benefit from higher bandwidth, even if the benchmark scores do not reflect this directly. The 40 PCIe lanes provide more expansion capability for multiple GPUs or high-speed storage devices. ECC memory support is a critical feature for workstations that require data integrity, making the Xeon a necessary choice for those systems. The larger 15 MB L3 cache may also provide a benefit in certain data-heavy workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The base clock is 3.20 GHz for the i7-8700B and 3.60 GHz for the Xeon E5-1650 v4. The boost clock is 4.60 GHz for the i7-8700B and 4.00 GHz for the Xeon. The TDP is 65 W for the i7-8700B and 140 W for the Xeon. The socket is Intel BGA 1440 for the i7-8700B and Intel Socket 2011-3 for the Xeon. The architecture is Coffee Lake for the i7-8700B and Broadwell-EP for the Xeon. The die size is 154 mm² for the i7-8700B and 246 mm² for the Xeon, with the Xeon having 3,400 million transistors. The L3 cache is 12 MB for the i7-8700B and 15 MB for the Xeon. The memory bus is dual-channel for the i7-8700B and quad-channel for the Xeon. Memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s for the i7-8700B and 76.8 GB/s for the Xeon. ECC memory is not supported by the i7-8700B but is supported by the Xeon. PCIe lanes are 16 for the i7-8700B and 40 for the Xeon. The i7-8700B has integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The release date is April 2018 for the i7-8700B and June 2016 for the Xeon. The launch MSRP is $303 for the i7-8700B and $621 for the Xeon.