Intel Core i7-8705G vs Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 Comparison

The Verdict

The data settles this comparison with unusual clarity. Across every recorded benchmark, the Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 finishes ahead of the Intel Core i7-8705G. The head-to-head table shows six wins for the Xeon and zero for the Core i7, with deltas ranging from -7.9% to -8.1% in favor of the server chip. The Xeon leads by roughly 8% in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests, a consistent margin that suggests a structural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Xeon E3-1240 v5 achieves this with a lower average benchmark score of 2030 versus the i7-8705G's 2058, which is counterintuitive at first glance. The explanation lies in the benchmark mix: the Xeon's recorded data includes only Cinebench tests, where it excels, while the Core i7 also carries Geekbench scores that drag its average down. The percentile ranking reflects this too, with the Xeon at the 45th percentile of all CPUs and the Core i7 at the 46th, nearly identical overall standing despite the Xeon's clean sweep in the direct comparison.

Who should pick which? The Xeon E3-1240 v5 is the choice for anyone prioritizing raw compute throughput in Cinebench-style workloads, especially single-threaded responsiveness where it posts 991 points in Cinebench R23 single-core versus the i7-8705G's 912. The Core i7-8705G, however, is the only one of the pair with integrated graphics, making it viable for compact systems that skip a discrete GPU. The Xeon also brings ECC memory support, a feature absent from the Core i7, which matters for data-integrity-sensitive environments. The i7-8705G counters with a lower 65 W TDP against the Xeon's 80 W, so thermally constrained mobile chassis favor the Core part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 wins every multi-core test in the database. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 7020 versus the Core i7-8705G's 6464, a 7.9% advantage. The same margin appears in Cinebench R20 (2948 vs 2714) and Cinebench R15 (707 vs 651).

Q: Is the single-core performance gap similar to the multi-core gap?

A: Yes, the single-core deficit is nearly identical. The Xeon leads by 8.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core (99 vs 91) and by 8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (991 vs 912). The consistency across workloads indicates a clock-speed or architecture-driven edge rather than a scaling effect.

Q: Does the Core i7-8705G have any unique features?

A: Yes. The Core i7-8705G includes Intel HD Graphics 630 integrated graphics, while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 has no integrated graphics at all. The Core i7 also runs at a lower 65 W TDP compared to the Xeon's 80 W, making it more suitable for power-sensitive mobile designs.

Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1240 v5 supports ECC memory. The Core i7-8705G does not. This makes the Xeon the appropriate pick for error-correcting memory configurations, which are common in workstation or server environments.

Q: How do they compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Core i7-8705G has a slightly higher average benchmark score at 2058, versus 2030 for the Xeon. This reflects the Core i7's additional Geekbench results, which are not present in the Xeon's recorded data. The percentile rankings are close, with the Core i7 at 46% and the Xeon at 45%.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Core i7-8705G has a higher boost clock at 4.10 GHz, while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 boosts to 3.90 GHz. Despite the Core i7's higher boost frequency, the Xeon still wins every benchmark, indicating other architectural factors dominate.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different microarchitecture generations despite sharing the same 14 nm process node and Intel foundry. The Core i7-8705G is built on Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake G variant, while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 uses Skylake, designated Skylake-DT. Both are 14 nm parts, but the Kaby Lake core is a refinement of the Skylake design, and the data shows the older Skylake silicon still holds a performance edge in this comparison.

Cache hierarchies are identical on paper. Both chips feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The die sizes are nearly the same: 125 mm² for the Core i7-8705G and 122 mm² for the Xeon. The Xeon's transistor count is recorded at 1,750 million, while the Core i7's transistor count is not listed in the database.

The most significant architectural divergence is the integrated graphics. The Core i7-8705G carries Intel HD Graphics 630, making it a self-contained mobile processor. The Xeon E3-1240 v5 has no integrated graphics unit, which is typical for server and workstation parts that assume a discrete GPU. This difference defines their respective market segments: the Core i7 targets mobile systems, while the Xeon targets server and workstation platforms.

Memory controller differences also separate them. The Core i7-8705G supports DDR4 exclusively with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon E3-1240 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, but its bandwidth is capped at 34.1 GB/s. ECC memory is exclusive to the Xeon, a feature that aligns with its server positioning.

PCIe lane counts differ as well. The Core i7-8705G provides 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. This gives the Xeon more headroom for expansion cards, storage controllers, or multiple GPUs in a workstation context.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8705G | Intel Xeon E3-1240 v5 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 80 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2270 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Skylake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake G | Skylake-DT |

| Generation | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) | Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,750 million |

| Die Size | 125 mm² | 122 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 630 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2018-01-06 | 2015-10-18 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $282 |

| Part Number | SR3RK | SR2LD |

The base clock gap is substantial: the Xeon runs 3.50 GHz at base versus the Core i7's 3.10 GHz. The Core i7 reclaims the lead on boost, reaching 4.10 GHz against the Xeon's 3.90 GHz. Yet the benchmark results show the Xeon winning regardless, suggesting its higher base clock and Skylake efficiency matter more than the Core i7's boost headroom.

The socket difference is fundamental. The Core i7-8705G uses Intel BGA 2270, a ball-grid array soldered to the motherboard, while the Xeon E3-1240 v5 uses Intel Socket 1151, a LGA socket that allows CPU replacement. This makes the Xeon a serviceable component, whereas the Core i7 is permanently attached to its board.

Release dates reveal a generational gap. The Xeon launched on 2015-10-18, while the Core i7 arrived on 2018-01-06. Both are end-of-life products now, but the Xeon's earlier release means it was built on the original Skylake design that Kaby Lake later refined.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six direct comparisons, and the Xeon E3-1240 v5 wins all six. The margins are tightly clustered, which points to a consistent performance differential rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 707 against the Core i7's 651, a 7.9% lead. The single-core test shows 99 versus 91, an 8.1% gap. These are the largest deltas in the set, and they establish the pattern that carries through the newer Cinebench versions.

Cinebench R20 repeats the multi-core story: the Xeon posts 2948 versus 2714, again 7.9% ahead. Single-core results show 416 against 383, another 7.9% gap. The consistency between R15 and R20 suggests the architectural advantage is stable across rendering workloads of different scales.

Cinebench R23, the most demanding test in the set, shows the same outcome. The Xeon manages 7020 in multi-core against the Core i7's 6464, a 7.9% difference. In single-core, the Xeon scores 991 versus 912, an 8% gap. The slightly larger single-core delta of 8% in R23 versus 7.9% in R20 hints that the Xeon's advantage grows marginally as single-threaded workloads become more complex.

The Core i7-8705G does have additional Geekbench scores that the Xeon lacks: 3968 multi-core and 1277 single-core. These are not part of the head-to-head comparison, so they cannot be used to claim parity. The recorded head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Xeon E3-1240 v5 outperforms the Core i7-8705G in every shared benchmark, with deltas between 7.9% and 8.1%.

The average benchmark scores complicate the narrative slightly. The Core i7's 2058 average exceeds the Xeon's 2030, and its 46th percentile ranking edges the Xeon's 45th. But these figures include Geekbench results that are not in the Xeon's dataset, so they reflect different test suites rather than a genuine performance reversal. In the tests both chips actually share, the Xeon wins every time.