Intel Core i7-8700B vs Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 wins every single recorded comparison in this matchup, taking all 6 head-to-head tests with no victories for the Core i7-8700B. The margins are uniform and meaningful, hovering around 9.6% to 9.9% across both single-core and multi-core workloads.

Starting with multi-core performance, the Xeon leads by nearly 10% in every Cinebench iteration. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 1102 against the Core i7's 1005, a 9.7% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows 4592 versus 4190, a 9.6% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows the same pattern: 10935 for the Xeon, 9977 for the Core i7, again 9.6% ahead. These are not marginal differences; they represent a consistent, repeatable performance tier gap.

What is more surprising is that the Xeon also wins the single-core tests, despite having a much lower boost clock. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon scores 155 versus 141, a 9.9% lead. R20 single-core shows 648 versus 591, a 9.6% advantage. R23 single-core delivers 1543 versus 1408, another 9.6% gap. This outcome is counterintuitive given the Core i7's 4.60 GHz boost clock versus the Xeon's 3.00 GHz, but the recorded data is unambiguous: the older Haswell architecture outperforms the newer Coffee Lake part in these specific tests.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the hierarchy. The Xeon's average score is 3163, placing it in the 53rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core i7's average is 3086, at the 52nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the Xeon include the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U (average 3162, delta 0%), the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE (average 3160, delta 0.1%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U (average 3159, delta 0.1%). The Core i7 sits alongside the Intel Xeon W-2133 (average 3087, delta 0%) and the Intel Core i7-6850K (average 3079, delta 0.2%). Both processors are essentially neck-and-neck with their closest competitors, but the Xeon holds a slight edge in the aggregate.

Architecture Differences

These two processors come from different Intel design eras and target different market segments. The Xeon E5-2676 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP architecture using a 22 nm process node, with the die size measuring 356 mm² and containing 2,600 million transistors. The Core i7-8700B uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, with a much smaller die size of 154 mm². The Xeon is a server and workstation part, while the Core i7 is classified as a desktop processor.

The core configuration is the most obvious divergence. The Xeon offers 12 cores and 24 threads, double the Core i7's 6 cores and 12 threads. This explains the multi-core advantage, though it does not fully account for the single-core results. The Xeon's base clock is 2.40 GHz with a boost of 3.00 GHz, while the Core i7 runs at 3.20 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. Despite the Core i7's higher clocks, the Xeon still wins single-core tests, which suggests architectural efficiency differences in the benchmark workloads.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. Both have 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is 30 MB on the Xeon versus only 12 MB on the Core i7. The Xeon's larger cache may contribute to its performance in cache-sensitive tests. Memory support also diverges: the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with a quad-channel memory bus and 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core i7 supports only DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the Core i7 does not.

PCIe lane counts reflect their different roles. The Xeon provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i7 offers 16 lanes. The Core i7 includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, whereas the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all. The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2011-3, and the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1440. The Xeon carries part number SR1Y5, and the Core i7 is SRCX2. Both are end-of-life products, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 1102 in R15, 4592 in R20, and 10935 in R23, versus the Core i7-8700B's 1005, 4190, and 9977 respectively. The advantage is consistently 9.6% to 9.7%.

Q: Does the Core i7-8700B win any benchmark in this comparison?

A: No. The recorded data shows 6 wins for the Xeon and 0 wins for the Core i7 across all head-to-head tests, including single-core tests where the Core i7's higher clock speed might be expected to help.

Q: Why does the Xeon win single-core tests despite a lower boost clock?

A: The Xeon's boost clock is 3.00 GHz versus the Core i7's 4.60 GHz, yet the Xeon scores 155, 648, and 1543 in R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests, ahead by 9.6% to 9.9%. The benchmark data does not explain the cause, but the results are consistent across all three Cinebench versions.

Q: What are the memory capabilities of each processor?

A: The Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4 with a quad-channel memory bus and 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC memory. The Core i7 supports only DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, without ECC.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: The Core i7-8700B includes UHD Graphics 630. The Xeon E5-2676 v3 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for its server and workstation market segment.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals in the database?

A: The Xeon's average score of 3163 is essentially tied with the AMD Ryzen 5 5560U (3162, 0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 3 5300GE (3160, 0.1% delta). The Core i7's average of 3086 is tied with the Intel Xeon W-2133 (3087, 0% delta) and within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 | Intel Core i7-8700B |

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

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 24 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 154 mm² |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | Not specified |

| L3 Cache | 30 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Part Number | SR1Y5 | SRCX2 |

The Verdict

The data is decisive: the Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 outperforms the Intel Core i7-8700B in every benchmark recorded in the database. The Xeon's 9.6% to 9.9% lead across all six Cinebench tests, including single-core, leaves no ambiguity about which processor is faster in these workloads. The Xeon's 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with its 30 MB L3 cache and quad-channel memory, deliver a consistent advantage that the Core i7's higher clocks cannot overcome. The Core i7 does have meaningful advantages in other dimensions: a much lower 65 W TDP versus 120 W, integrated graphics, a smaller footprint with a BGA socket, and a newer 14 nm process. But for raw compute performance, the Xeon is the clear winner based on the recorded measurements.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 wins in every benchmark category recorded: multi-core Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, plus single-core versions of all three. Its wins are uniform at roughly 9.6% to 9.9%. The Xeon also holds advantages in structural specifications that matter for certain workloads: 30 MB of shared L3 cache versus 12 MB, quad-channel memory with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth versus 42.7 GB/s, ECC memory support, and 40 PCIe lanes versus 16. These features make it suited for memory-intensive, multi-threaded server or workstation tasks where data integrity and bandwidth are priorities.

The Intel Core i7-8700B, despite losing all benchmark comparisons, wins on operational characteristics. Its 65 W TDP is nearly half the Xeon's 120 W, which matters for thermals and power-constrained environments. It includes UHD Graphics 630, so it can drive a display without a discrete GPU. Its 14 nm process node is more modern, and its BGA 1440 socket is designed for compact, soldered applications. The Core i7 also has a higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 2.40 GHz) and boost clock (4.60 GHz versus 3.00 GHz), which could be relevant in workloads not captured by the Cinebench suite, though the recorded data does not show any benefit in these specific tests. For users prioritizing power efficiency, integrated graphics, and a smaller physical footprint, the Core i7 is the practical choice; for pure compute throughput, the Xeon is the one the benchmark results recommend.