Intel Core i7-8700T vs Intel Xeon D-1577 Comparison

The benchmark data places the Intel Xeon D-1577 and Intel Core i7-8700T in the same performance tier, with average scores of 2715 and 2701 respectively, and both processors sitting at the 50th percentile among all CPUs. Despite this overall parity, the two chips are engineered for entirely different environments, and the benchmark results reflect those design goals. The Xeon D-1577, a server and workstation part, wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, while the Core i7-8700T, a desktop processor, counters with a faster boost clock and integrated graphics. The data shows that the Xeon D-1577 is the stronger compute engine in multi-threaded workloads, but the i7-8700T offers a different set of capabilities that matter in desktop contexts.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon D-1577 dominates the Cinebench suite, taking every single test in the head-to-head comparison. Its largest margin comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 133 against the i7-8700T’s 123, an 8.1% advantage. In multi-core workloads, the Xeon D-1577 consistently leads by approximately 8%, posting 946 vs 876 in R15, 3943 vs 3653 in R20, and 9389 vs 8698 in R23. These are not marginal differences; the Xeon D-1577’s 16 cores and 32 threads provide a substantial parallel processing advantage over the i7-8700T’s 6 cores and 12 threads. The data indicates that for any sustained, heavily threaded workload—rendering, compilation, virtualization—the Xeon D-1577 is the clear winner.

The Core i7-8700T, however, wins in areas not captured by the Cinebench tests. It carries Intel UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics, which the Xeon D-1577 lacks entirely. This makes the i7-8700T functional as a standalone desktop system without a discrete GPU, a capability the server-grade Xeon cannot offer. Additionally, the i7-8700T has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to the Xeon D-1577’s 1.30 GHz base and 2.10 GHz boost. Even though the Xeon D-1577 wins the single-core Cinebench tests, the i7-8700T’s much higher clock speeds suggest it is better suited for lightly threaded, latency-sensitive desktop tasks where raw clock speed matters more than core count. The i7-8700T also supports DDR4 memory with a specified bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Xeon D-1577’s memory bandwidth is not listed in the data.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split: choose the Intel Xeon D-1577 for server and workstation workloads where multi-threaded performance is paramount. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with an 8% lead in every Cinebench multi-core test and a 7.9% to 8.1% lead in single-core tests. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, and support for ECC memory make it a server-grade part, and its active production status indicates continued availability for that market. The Xeon D-1577’s launch MSRP is 1379, reflecting its enterprise positioning.

Choose the Intel Core i7-8700T for desktop applications where integrated graphics are needed and where higher boost clocks may benefit single-threaded responsiveness. While it loses every Cinebench comparison, the i7-8700T includes UHD Graphics 630, supports a 4.00 GHz boost clock, and has a lower 35W TDP compared to the Xeon D-1577’s 45W. The i7-8700T is end-of-life, but it remains a viable option for compact desktop builds that do not require a discrete GPU. The data does not support the i7-8700T for heavy multi-threaded workloads—it trails the Xeon by 8% in every multi-core test—but its feature set serves a different purpose.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the Xeon D-1577 scoring 946 against the i7-8700T’s 876, an 8% difference. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon D-1577 hits 3943 versus 3653, again 7.9% ahead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the scores are 9389 and 8698, a 7.9% margin. The consistency of these deltas—hovering around 8% across three generations of the Cinebench test—indicates that the Xeon D-1577’s core advantage translates directly to sustained multi-threaded performance.

The single-core results are more surprising given the clock speed disparity. The Xeon D-1577 scores 133 in Cinebench R15 single-core, edging out the i7-8700T’s 123 by 8.1%. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon D-1577 posts 556 against 515, an 8% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the scores are 1325 and 1228, a 7.9% difference. The i7-8700T has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, nearly double the Xeon D-1577’s 2.10 GHz, yet it still loses these single-threaded tests. This suggests the Xeon D-1577’s architecture delivers higher instructions per clock in these specific workloads, or that the i7-8700T’s power constraints limit its sustained performance. Either way, the benchmark data shows the Xeon D-1577 winning all six head-to-head tests, with a total wins tally of 6 to 0.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1577 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i7-8700T has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the Core i7-8700T have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Core i7-8700T includes Intel UHD Graphics 630. The Xeon D-1577 does not have integrated graphics listed in its specifications.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1577 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-8700T does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Xeon D-1577 scores 9389, while the i7-8700T scores 8698, making the Xeon D-1577 7.9% faster in this test.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for both processors?

A: The Xeon D-1577 has a TDP of 45W, and the i7-8700T has a TDP of 35W.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700T has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Xeon D-1577 has a boost clock of 2.10 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architecture families. The Xeon D-1577 is based on Broadwell, specifically the Broadwell-DE generation, and is built on a 14 nm process node at Intel’s foundry. It contains 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The i7-8700T uses the Coffee Lake architecture, part of the Core i7 (Coffee Lake) generation, also on a 14 nm process node. Its die size is 154 mm², and its transistor count is not listed in the data.

Cache organization differs significantly. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. However, the Xeon D-1577 has 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core, while the i7-8700T has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This structural difference reflects the server design of the Xeon, where each core gets dedicated L3 slices, versus the desktop design of the i7, which pools L3 across all cores.

Memory support also diverges. The Xeon D-1577 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, uses a dual-channel memory bus, and includes ECC memory support. The i7-8700T supports only DDR4, also with a dual-channel bus, and does not support ECC. The i7-8700T lists a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Xeon D-1577’s bandwidth is not specified in the data. PCIe lanes differ as well: the Xeon D-1577 provides Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-8700T provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ substantially: the Xeon D-1577 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the i7-8700T has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 1.30 GHz for the Xeon D-1577 and 2.40 GHz for the i7-8700T. Boost clocks are 2.10 GHz and 4.00 GHz respectively. The TDP is 45W for the Xeon D-1577 and 35W for the i7-8700T.

The socket types are entirely different: the Xeon D-1577 uses Intel BGA 1667, while the i7-8700T uses Intel Socket 1151. The Xeon D-1577 targets the server and workstation market segment, whereas the i7-8700T is a desktop part. Production status also differs: the Xeon D-1577 is active, while the i7-8700T is end-of-life. The release dates are 2016-02-23 for the Xeon D-1577 and 2018-04-01 for the i7-8700T. The launch MSRP for the Xeon D-1577 is 1379, while no launch MSRP is listed for the i7-8700T. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SR2M2 for the Xeon D-1577 and SR3WX for the i7-8700T.