Intel Core i7-8706G vs Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 and the Intel Core i7-8706G are both 4-core, 8-thread processors with 8 MB of shared L3 cache, but they target entirely different market segments: one is a server/workstation chip, the other a mobile part. The benchmark data reveals a surprisingly consistent, though narrow, advantage for the older Xeon across every single recorded test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unusual in their uniformity. The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 wins all six Cinebench comparisons, but by a very tight margin. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Xeon scores 655 against the Core i7-8706G's 641, a 2.2% lead. The single-core R15 result is closer in absolute terms, 92 versus 90, but the percentage advantage is identical at 2.2%. This pattern holds for the newer Cinebench R20 and R23 versions.

For Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Xeon records 2733 points, while the Core i7-8706G manages 2674, again a 2.2% difference. The single-core R20 scores are 385 and 377 respectively, a 2.1% gap. Moving to Cinebench R23, the multi-core result is 6508 for the Xeon and 6368 for the Core i7-8706G, maintaining the same 2.2% lead. The R23 single-core test shows 918 versus 899, another 2.1% difference.

What does this consistency imply? The Xeon's advantage is not workload-dependent; it does not stem from a specific cache or memory behavior that favors one test over another. Instead, the data suggests a fundamental, if small, performance edge across all rendering and CPU-intensive tasks. The Core i7-8706G has a higher base clock (3.10 GHz versus 1.90 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.30 GHz), yet it still loses. This indicates that the Xeon's architectural efficiency or power management allows it to outperform despite its lower clock speeds.

Looking at the broader database context, the two chips sit very close in overall performance. The Xeon E3-1558L v5 has an average benchmark score of 1882, placing it in the 43rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Processor U300 (1881, a 0.1% difference), the Intel Xeon E3-1270L v4 (1883, -0.1%), and the Intel Xeon D-1531 (1885, -0.1%). The Core i7-8706G, with an average score of 1842, sits in the 42nd percentile. Its closest competitors are the Intel Core i5-7600 (1844, -0.1%), the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150G (1836, 0.4%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U (1832, 0.6%). The 40-point gap in average scores is entirely consistent with the 2.2% margin seen in the head-to-head tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and are built for different purposes. The Xeon E3-1558L v5 uses the Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-H codename, and was released in 2016. The Core i7-8706G uses the Kaby Lake architecture, under the Kaby Lake G codename, and launched in 2018. Both are fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node, so the transistor size is identical. However, the Xeon is a server/workstation part, while the Core i7 is explicitly a mobile processor.

The socket is a key differentiator. The Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440, whereas the Core i7-8706G uses Intel BGA 2270. These are physically incompatible, meaning the two cannot be swapped in any system. The Xeon also has a lower thermal design power (TDP) of 45 watts compared to the Core i7's 65 watts, which is notable given the Xeon's higher benchmark scores. The Xeon's lower power envelope might explain why it can sustain its performance without the need for the higher clocks seen on the Core i7.

Memory support also differs. The Xeon E3-1558L v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server reliability. The Core i7-8706G supports only DDR4, and the database does not list its memory bus or bandwidth. The Core i7 does not support ECC memory. The integrated graphics are different as well: the Xeon includes Iris Pro Graphics P555, while the Core i7-8706G features a Radeon RX Vega M GL, which is a much more powerful GPU solution for mobile workloads.

The Xeon has a specified PCIe configuration of Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Core i7's PCIe details are not recorded in the database. The Xeon also has a known transistor count of 2,300 million on a 171 mm² die, while those figures are not listed for the Core i7-8706G. The Xeon is marked as end-of-life, whereas the Core i7 is listed as active production.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 is the faster processor. It wins every single benchmark comparison, and the margin is consistent at roughly 2.2% in multi-core and 2.1% in single-core tests. This is a small but definitive advantage. The data shows no scenario in the Cinebench suite where the Core i7-8706G overtakes the Xeon.

The choice between the two, however, is not about raw speed alone. The Xeon offers ECC memory support, a feature absent from the Core i7. It also consumes less power on paper, with a 45 W TDP versus 65 W. For a server or workstation environment where data integrity and power efficiency are paramount, the Xeon is the clear choice based on the data. Its performance lead, combined with ECC support, makes it a compelling option.

The Core i7-8706G, despite its lower benchmark scores, has its own advantages. It is a mobile processor with a higher base and boost clock, and it includes a Radeon RX Vega M GL integrated GPU. The database does not provide graphics benchmarks, so we cannot compare GPU performance. But for a mobile system where CPU performance is secondary to the overall package, the Core i7's feature set is different. The Xeon's 16-lane PCIe configuration and server market segment suggest it is not intended for the same use case.

The production status is also relevant. The Xeon is end-of-life, meaning it may be harder to source new units. The Core i7 is still active. If the choice is between a new system, the Core i7 has the advantage of being in production. If the choice is between existing platforms, the Xeon's performance edge is the deciding factor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 655, 2733, and 6508 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 respectively, compared to the Core i7-8706G's 641, 2674, and 6368. The Xeon's lead is 2.2% in each case.

Q: Does the Core i7-8706G win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head results show the Xeon E3-1558L v5 winning all six tests (three multi-core, three single-core). The Core i7-8706G records zero wins.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?

A: The Xeon leads by 2.2% in Cinebench R15 (92 versus 90) and 2.1% in both R20 (385 versus 377) and R23 (918 versus 899).

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-8706G does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher thermal design power?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G has a TDP of 65 watts. The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 has a lower TDP of 45 watts.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The Xeon E3-1558L v5 uses Intel BGA 1440, while the Core i7-8706G uses Intel BGA 2270. These sockets are different and not interchangeable.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Xeon E3-1558L v5 has an average score of 1882, placing it in the 43rd percentile. The Core i7-8706G has an average score of 1842, placing it in the 42nd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 wins in every CPU benchmark category recorded. It is the better choice for tasks that rely heavily on processor compute, such as 3D rendering, video encoding, and scientific calculations. The data shows a consistent 2.2% advantage in multi-core tests, which translates to a measurable improvement in any workload that can utilize all 8 threads. Its support for ECC memory is a separate category of win, as it provides error correction that the Core i7 cannot offer. This makes the Xeon more suitable for long-running server processes where a memory error could corrupt data.

The Intel Core i7-8706G does not win any CPU benchmark, but it has structural advantages outside the Cinebench tests. It is a mobile processor with a higher base clock (3.10 GHz versus 1.90 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.30 GHz). This suggests it may have better responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks that are not captured by the benchmark scores. Its integrated Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU is a significant feature, and while the database does not include graphics benchmarks, this GPU is clearly positioned for gaming or graphical workloads. The Core i7 also supports only DDR4 memory, which may be simpler to configure in a mobile system.

The production status is another differentiator. The Core i7-8706G is listed as active, meaning it is still in production. The Xeon is end-of-life. For a new system build, the Core i7 is the only one of the two that is currently available as a new part. For a replacement or upgrade on an existing platform, the Xeon's performance lead is the deciding factor.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 and the Intel Core i7-8706G:

• Base Clock: The Xeon runs at 1900.00 MHz, while the Core i7 runs at 3.10 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The Xeon boosts to 3.30 GHz, while the Core i7 boosts to 4.10 GHz.
• TDP: The Xeon has a 45 W TDP, the Core i7 has a 65 W TDP.
• Socket: The Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440, the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 2270.
• Architecture: The Xeon is Skylake (Skylake-H), the Core i7 is Kaby Lake (Kaby Lake G).
• Generation: The Xeon is from the Xeon E3 (Skylake-H) generation, the Core i7 is from the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) generation.
• Transistors: The Xeon has 2,300 million transistors on a 171 mm² die. The Core i7's transistor count and die size are not recorded.
• Memory Support: The Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4, the Core i7 supports only DDR4.
• Memory Bus: The Xeon is dual-channel, the Core i7's memory bus is not listed.
• Memory Bandwidth: The Xeon has 34.1 GB/s, the Core i7's bandwidth is not listed.
• ECC Memory: The Xeon supports ECC, the Core i7 does not.
• PCIe: The Xeon has Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only), the Core i7's PCIe configuration is not listed.
• Integrated Graphics: The Xeon has Iris Pro Graphics P555, the Core i7 has Radeon RX Vega M GL.
• Market Segment: The Xeon is Server/Workstation, the Core i7 is Mobile.
• Production Status: The Xeon is End-of-life, the Core i7 is Active.
• Release Date: The Xeon was released in 2016-05-30, the Core i7 in 2018-01-31.
• Launch MSRP: The Xeon had a launch MSRP of $396. The Core i7 has no recorded launch MSRP.