Intel Core i7-8706G vs Intel Xeon D-1531 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Xeon D-1531 across every recorded Cinebench test, though the margins are consistently narrow. In the multicore Cinebench R15 test, the Xeon D-1531 scores 656 against the Core i7-8706G's 641, a 2.3% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern, with the Xeon at 92 and the Core i7 at 90, a 2.2% lead.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon D-1531 posts 2737 in multicore versus 2674 for the Core i7-8706G, again a 2.4% gap. The single-core R20 scores are 386 and 377, respectively, with the same 2.4% delta. In the most recent Cinebench R23 tests, the Xeon D-1531 reaches 6517 in multicore while the Core i7-8706G manages 6368, a 2.3% difference. Single-core R23 shows 920 against 899, also a 2.3% margin.

The Xeon D-1531 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, but the victories are narrow, never exceeding 2.4%. This suggests the two processors deliver broadly similar computational throughput in Cinebench workloads, despite their architectural differences. The average benchmark score reflects this closeness: the Xeon D-1531 sits at 1885, while the Core i7-8706G trails slightly at 1842.

Looking at their positions in the broader database, the Xeon D-1531 lands in the 43rd percentile of all CPUs, while the Core i7-8706G sits one point lower at the 42nd percentile. Their nearest rivals reinforce the parity: the Xeon's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-4940MX with an average score of 1886, a delta of minus 0.1%, followed by the Intel Xeon E3-1270L v4 at 1883 with a 0.1% delta. The Core i7-8706G's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-7600 at 1844 with a minus 0.1% delta, then the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150G at 1836 with a 0.4% delta.

Architecture Differences

The underlying designs diverge substantially. The Intel Xeon D-1531 uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE generation, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 2.70 GHz. The silicon comprises 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. Its cache hierarchy is per-core: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 1.5 MB of L3 per core.

The Intel Core i7-8706G uses the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-G generation, also on a 14 nm process. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. Its cache layout is different: L1 remains 64 KB per core and L2 stays 256 KB per core, but L3 is 8 MB shared across all cores, rather than allocated per core. The transistor count and die size are not recorded for the Core i7-8706G.

The Xeon D-1531 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus, and it includes ECC memory support, a feature absent from the Core i7-8706G. The Core i7-8706G supports only DDR4, with no memory bus details recorded. The Xeon also carries PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7's PCIe configuration is not listed.

Integrated graphics mark another clear split. The Xeon D-1531 has no integrated graphics, reflecting its server/workstation focus. The Core i7-8706G includes Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, a notable addition for a mobile part. The socket types differ as well: the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1667, while the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 2270. The market segments are distinct, with the Xeon aimed at server/workstation use and the Core i7 at mobile platforms.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon D-1531 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head set, so its advantages are consistent across all recorded Cinebench versions. Its multicore wins of 2.3% to 2.4% align with its higher core count of 6 versus 4, though the modest margins suggest the Core i7-8706G's higher clocks help close the gap. The Xeon also wins single-core tests by 2.2% to 2.4%, a surprising result given the Core i7's much higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, but the recorded data shows the Xeon ahead in every case.

The Core i7-8706G does not win any head-to-head benchmark in the database. Its strengths lie elsewhere: it includes integrated Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, which the Xeon entirely lacks, so for any workload requiring on-die graphics output, the Core i7 is the only option of the two. The Core i7 also offers a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz and boost clock of 4.10 GHz, which could translate to better responsiveness in lightly threaded or latency-sensitive tasks, though the recorded Cinebench single-core scores do not reflect that advantage.

For server or workstation deployments where ECC memory is a requirement, the Xeon D-1531 is the clear choice, as the Core i7-8706G has no ECC support. The Xeon's support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory provides flexibility in system design, while the Core i7 is limited to DDR4. The Xeon's PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes also offers more direct expansion capability, whereas the Core i7's PCIe details are not recorded.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The Xeon D-1531 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Core i7-8706G has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.20 GHz for the Xeon and 3.10 GHz for the Core i7. Boost clocks are 2.70 GHz and 4.10 GHz, respectively. The Xeon has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Core i7 draws 65 watts, a significant difference in power envelope.

Socket types differ: Intel BGA 1667 for the Xeon versus Intel BGA 2270 for the Core i7. The process node is identical at 14 nm, and both use Intel as the foundry. Transistor count is recorded only for the Xeon at 3,200 million, and die size only for the Xeon at 246 mm². Cache differs in organization: the Xeon has 1.5 MB of L3 per core, while the Core i7 has 8 MB of shared L3.

Memory support shows the Xeon accepting DDR3 and DDR4, while the Core i7 accepts only DDR4. The Xeon has a dual-channel memory bus; the Core i7's memory bus is not recorded. ECC memory is supported by the Xeon and not by the Core i7. PCIe is recorded as Gen 3 with 24 lanes for the Xeon, while the Core i7 has no PCIe data. Integrated graphics are absent on the Xeon and present as Radeon RX Vega M GL on the Core i7. Market segments are server/workstation for the Xeon and mobile for the Core i7. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $348; the Core i7 has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1531 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-8706G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The Xeon D-1531 has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 2.70 GHz. The Core i7-8706G has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon D-1531 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-8706G does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G includes Radeon RX Vega M GL integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon D-1531 has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon D-1531 has an average benchmark score of 1885, placing it in the 43rd percentile of all CPUs. The Core i7-8706G has an average score of 1842, placing it in the 42nd percentile.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Xeon D-1531 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Core i7-8706G has a TDP of 65 watts.

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon D-1531 is the better choice for workloads that prioritize ECC memory support, lower power consumption, and a server/workstation form factor. Its 35 watt TDP stands well below the Core i7-8706G's 65 watts, and its support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory offers broader system compatibility. The Xeon also delivers a slight edge in every recorded Cinebench benchmark, with wins ranging from 2.2% to 2.4% across multicore and single-core tests. Its 6 cores and 12 threads provide more parallelism than the Core i7's 4 cores and 8 threads, and its PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes supports substantial expansion.

The Intel Core i7-8706G is the better choice when integrated graphics are required, as the Radeon RX Vega M GL is a significant feature that the Xeon completely lacks. For mobile or compact systems where discrete graphics are not an option, the Core i7's on-die GPU makes it the only viable pick of the two. Its higher base clock of 3.10 GHz and boost clock of 4.10 GHz provide a nominal speed advantage, though the recorded benchmark scores show the Xeon still winning single-core tests by about 2.2% to 2.4%. The Core i7 also targets the mobile segment, so it fits systems designed for portability rather than rack-mounted servers.

For a database-driven decision, the Xeon D-1531 wins on raw benchmark performance, power efficiency, ECC support, and memory flexibility. The Core i7-8706G wins on integrated graphics and higher clock speeds, but those advantages do not translate into benchmark victories in the recorded data. The Xeon's average score of 1885 versus 1842 for the Core i7, along with its 43rd versus 42nd percentile ranking, confirms the Xeon as the stronger overall processor in this comparison. Users needing graphics output from the CPU itself should choose the Core i7-8706G; all other considerations favor the Xeon D-1531.