Intel Core i7-8706G vs Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 and Intel Core i7-8706G are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, yet they target fundamentally different platforms. The Xeon is a desktop-class Broadwell-EP part with a 140 W TDP, while the Core i7 is a mobile Kaby Lake-G chip with a 65 W TDP and integrated Radeon graphics. Benchmark data shows the Xeon winning every single head-to-head comparison, but the margins are remarkably narrow, suggesting that architectural efficiency and platform context matter more than raw clock speeds.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon E5-1630 v4 sweeps all six Cinebench comparisons, but the victories are consistently slim. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 651 against the Core i7's 641, a 1.6% advantage. Single-core R15 results are even tighter: 91 versus 90, a 1.1% edge for the Xeon. This pattern holds across newer benchmarks. In R20 multi-core, the Xeon posts 2714 versus 2674 (1.5% ahead), while the single-core result is 383 versus 377 (1.6% ahead). The R23 suite shows the same story: 6464 versus 6368 in multi-core (1.5%) and 912 versus 899 in single-core (1.4%).

What is striking is the consistency of the delta. Every test lands between 1.1% and 1.6%, regardless of the workload's thread scaling. This suggests the performance gap is not tied to core count or cache capacity but rather to a small per-clock efficiency difference. The Xeon's base clock is 3.70 GHz versus 3.10 GHz for the Core i7, but the boost clocks nearly match at 4.00 GHz versus 4.10 GHz. The data implies that the Xeon's higher base frequency drives its sustained performance, while the Core i7's slightly higher boost clock is insufficient to close the gap in short bursts.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this picture. The Xeon's average is 1869, while the Core i7's is 1842, a difference of roughly 1.5%. Both processors sit at the 42nd percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in the broader market. The nearest rival data places the Xeon within 0.6% of the Intel Core i3-9350K and Intel Processor U300, while the Core i7 sits within 0.6% of the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U and Intel Core i5-8305G. Neither chip is a performance outlier; they are both mid-pack parts with nearly identical compute capabilities.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E5-1630 v4 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head, but the practical significance of those wins is minimal. The largest margin is 1.6% in R15 multi-core and R20 single-core, which falls within run-to-run variance for most workloads. The Xeon's advantage appears to stem from its higher base clock and quad-channel memory support, which provides 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. This could benefit memory-sensitive tasks, though no memory-specific benchmarks are in the data.

The Core i7-8706G's wins are not in raw compute but in platform attributes. It has a 65 W TDP versus 140 W for the Xeon, making it far more suitable for compact or thermally constrained systems. It also includes integrated Radeon RX Vega M GL graphics, which the Xeon entirely lacks. For systems requiring a GPU without a discrete card, the Core i7 is the only option. The Core i7 is also listed as "Active" in production, while the Xeon is "End-of-life," indicating availability for new designs favors the Core i7.

Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiator. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which is absent on the Core i7. The Xeon also offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), whereas the Core i7's PCIe configuration is not listed. For workstation tasks requiring ECC or many expansion cards, the Xeon is clearly superior. For mobile or embedded applications, the Core i7's power efficiency and integrated GPU are decisive.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 651, 2714, and 6464 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 respectively, versus 641, 2674, and 6368 for the Core i7-8706G. The margins are 1.6%, 1.5%, and 1.5%.

Q: Is the Core i7-8706G competitive in single-core performance?

A: Yes, nearly. The Xeon leads by only 1.1% in R15 single-core (91 versus 90), 1.6% in R20 (383 versus 377), and 1.4% in R23 (912 versus 899). The Core i7's higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus 4.00 GHz helps it stay close.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Only the Xeon E5-1630 v4 supports ECC memory. The Core i7-8706G does not list ECC support. This makes the Xeon the appropriate choice for error-correcting memory configurations.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Xeon has a 140 W TDP, while the Core i7 has a 65 W TDP. This means the Core i7 consumes less than half the thermal budget, making it suitable for thin laptops or small-form-factor systems.

Q: Which chip has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Core i7-8706G includes integrated graphics, specifically the Radeon RX Vega M GL. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How do these chips compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Xeon's average score of 1869 is 0.1% above the Intel Core i3-9350K and 0.6% above the Intel Processor U300. The Core i7's average of 1842 is 0.1% below the Intel Core i5-7600 and 0.6% above the AMD Ryzen 5 4600U.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 | Intel Core i7-8706G |

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

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | Intel BGA 2270 |

| L3 Cache | 10 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Not listed |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon RX Vega M GL |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2016-06-19 | 2018-01-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $406 | Not listed |

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they belong to different architectural families. The Xeon E5-1630 v4 uses the Broadwell architecture with the codename Broadwell-EP, while the Core i7-8706G uses Kaby Lake with the codename Kaby Lake G. The Xeon is part of the Xeon E5 generation, while the Core i7 is from the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) generation.

The Xeon has a larger L3 cache at 10 MB shared versus 8 MB shared for the Core i7. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The Xeon's transistor count is 3,400 million on a 246 mm² die, while the Core i7's transistor count and die size are not listed. The Xeon's memory support is DDR4 with a quad-channel bus and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the Core i7's memory bus and bandwidth are unspecified.

The Xeon's platform includes 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), ECC memory support, and a socket 2011-3. The Core i7 uses a BGA 2270 socket, has no ECC, and no listed PCIe lanes. The most significant architectural difference is the integrated GPU: the Core i7 includes Radeon RX Vega M GL, while the Xeon has none. This makes the Core i7 a system-on-chip of sorts, whereas the Xeon relies entirely on external components.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 wins every compute test, but the margins are so small that they are unlikely to be perceptible in real-world use. A 1.5% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core translates to roughly 100 points, which is noise-level for most applications. If the decision rests solely on CPU compute, the Xeon is the technically faster part, but the difference is negligible.

The Core i7-8706G wins in every non-CPU metric that matters for its intended mobile segment. Its 65 W TDP enables designs the 140 W Xeon cannot fit. Its integrated Radeon RX Vega M GL provides graphics capability the Xeon lacks entirely. Its active production status means it is available for new systems, while the Xeon is end-of-life. The Core i7 also launched later, in 2018 versus 2016, giving it a more modern platform foundation.

For a workstation or server requiring ECC memory, quad-channel bandwidth, and 40 PCIe lanes, the Xeon E5-1630 v4 is the only choice. For a mobile workstation, compact desktop, or any system where the GPU is integrated and power is limited, the Core i7-8706G is the clear pick. The data shows two processors that compute almost identically but serve completely different worlds. Pick the Xeon for its platform features; pick the Core i7 for its efficiency and integration. Neither choice is wrong based on the numbers, but the Core i7 is the more versatile and future-proof option given its active status and lower thermal footprint.