Intel Core i7-8706G vs Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8706G and Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread mobile processors, yet benchmark results show a clear, if narrow, overall victor. The i7-8706G wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with margins ranging from 1.1% to 1.4%. However, the Xeon E3-1505M v5 is not obsolete; it counters with a lower 45W TDP, official ECC memory support, and a workstation-class feature set that the Core i7 lacks. The choice hinges on whether the user prioritizes raw rendering performance and a newer architecture or power efficiency and data-integrity features.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8706G is the benchmark champion in every tested workload. Its advantages are consistent across the board, from single-core to multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23, it scores 6368 multi-core and 899 single-core, compared to the Xeon's 6284 and 887, respectively. The i7-8706G's lead is more pronounced in single-core tests, as seen in the 1.4% delta in Cinebench R23 single-core, suggesting a slight edge in lightly-threaded applications. For users running rendering tasks, video encoding, or any software that leverages multiple cores, the i7-8706G provides a measurable, albeit small, performance advantage.

The Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 wins in the areas of power consumption and platform capabilities. With a 45W TDP versus the i7-8706G's 65W, the Xeon is more power-efficient, making it a better fit for thinner, thermally-constrained mobile workstations. Its true advantage, however, lies in its support for ECC memory, a feature absent from the Core i7. This is critical for professional workloads like financial modeling, scientific simulations, or long-running server tasks where data corruption is unacceptable. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering more flexibility in system design, whereas the Core i7 is limited to DDR4.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on different Intel architectures and process nodes, though both use a 14 nm process. The i7-8706G is based on the Kaby Lake architecture (codename Kaby Lake G), released in 2018, while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 is a Skylake part (codename Skylake-H) released in 2015. This architectural generational gap explains the i7-8706G's higher clocks: it has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost of 4.10 GHz, compared to the Xeon's 2.80 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. Both CPUs share the same cache configuration: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

The integrated graphics are a major differentiator. The i7-8706G pairs its CPU with a discrete-class Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU, a powerful solution for gaming and graphics workloads. The Xeon E3-1505M v5, in contrast, integrates the much more modest HD Graphics P530, which is sufficient for basic display output but not for demanding 3D applications. Additionally, the Xeon includes a PCIe Gen 3 controller with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-8706G's PCIe configuration is not specified. The Xeon also has a defined memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s and a dual-channel memory bus, while these figures are absent for the i7-8706G. Feature-wise, the Xeon supports ECC memory and uses socket Intel BGA 1440, while the i7-8706G uses the newer Intel BGA 2270 socket.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G wins all multi-core benchmarks. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 6368 versus the Xeon E3-1505M v5's 6284, a 1.3% advantage. Its lead is consistent in Cinebench R20 (2674 vs 2639) and R15 (641 vs 633).

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1505M v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1505M v5 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-8706G does not support ECC memory. This makes the Xeon a more reliable choice for error-sensitive professional workloads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G has a higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz, compared to the Xeon E3-1505M v5's 3.70 GHz. It also has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz versus 2.80 GHz.

Q: What integrated graphics do these CPUs have?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G includes a Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU, which is a high-performance graphics solution. The Xeon E3-1505M v5 includes the HD Graphics P530, which is a basic integrated GPU.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Xeon E3-1505M v5 is more power-efficient, with a TDP of 45W compared to the Intel Core i7-8706G's 65W. This allows for better battery life and less heat generation in mobile systems.

Q: Which CPU has a newer architecture?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G is based on the newer Kaby Lake architecture (released 2018), while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses the older Skylake architecture (released 2015). Both are manufactured on a 14 nm process.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8706G | Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2270 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Skylake |

| Codename | Kaby Lake G | Skylake-H |

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

| Transistors | Not specified | 2,300 million |

| Die Size | Not specified | 122 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Not specified | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon RX Vega M GL | HD Graphics P530 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2018-01-31 | 2015-10-26 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $434 |

| Part Number | Not specified | SR2FM |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a uniform pattern: the Intel Core i7-8706G outperforms the Xeon E3-1505M v5 in every Cinebench test, though the margins are slim. The largest single-core win for the i7-8706G is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 899 against the Xeon's 887, a 1.4% difference. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-8706G scores 90 versus 89, a 1.1% lead.

Multi-core results are equally one-sided. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8706G scores 641 versus 633, a 1.3% advantage. The same 1.3% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core (2674 vs 2639) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (6368 vs 6284). The i7-8706G also wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 377 against 372, a 1.3% margin. Across all six tests, the i7-8706G's consistent lead indicates a fundamental clock-speed advantage rather than a workload-specific edge. The Xeon's higher power efficiency does not translate into a performance win in these rendering benchmarks.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-8706G is the faster processor for compute-bound tasks. Its wins in all six Cinebench tests, driven by higher base and boost clocks, make it the superior choice for users who prioritize rendering speed and single-threaded performance. The inclusion of the Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU further cements its position as a versatile mobile part for gaming and graphics work. For a user building a high-performance laptop where raw CPU speed is paramount, the i7-8706G is the clear pick.

However, the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 is not without merit. Its 45W TDP makes it more suitable for thermally-constrained ultrabooks or workstations where battery life and cooling are priorities. More importantly, its ECC memory support is a non-negotiable feature for specific professional and server workloads where data integrity is critical. The Xeon's status as a server/workstation part, despite being end-of-life, gives it a platform-level reliability that the Core i7 cannot replicate. Users who need ECC memory, lower power consumption, and are willing to sacrifice a small amount of performance should choose the Xeon E3-1505M v5. For everyone else, the Core i7-8706G's consistent benchmark superiority makes it the recommended processor.