Intel Core i7-8709G vs Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8709G and Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors from Intel, but they target entirely different market segments. The i7-8709G is a mobile part with integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics, while the Xeon E3-1230 v5 is a server/workstation chip with ECC memory support. Despite their architectural differences, the benchmark data shows they are remarkably close in raw CPU compute performance, with average benchmark scores of 1950 for the i7-8709G and 1947 for the Xeon E3-1230 v5. Both sit at the 44th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier. The i7-8709G wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, but by margins of only 0.1% to 0.2%, making these differences effectively negligible in real-world workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8709G has an average benchmark score of 1950, which is 0.2% higher than the Xeon E3-1230 v5's average of 1947.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The i7-8709G scores 6743 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Xeon E3-1230 v5 scores 6733. This gives the i7-8709G a 0.1% lead.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon E3-1230 v5 supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-8709G does not.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The Core i7-8709G uses the Intel BGA 2270 socket, which is a mobile platform, while the Xeon E3-1230 v5 uses the Intel Socket 1151.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Core i7-8709G includes Radeon RX Vega M GH integrated graphics, whereas the Xeon E3-1230 v5 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Core i7-8709G is listed as Active in production, while the Xeon E3-1230 v5 is End-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a picture of near-identical CPU performance, but the use-case split is defined by platform features rather than compute scores. The Core i7-8709G wins every single head-to-head Cinebench test, from the R15 multi-core score of 679 versus 678 to the R23 single-core score of 952 versus 950. The largest margin is a 0.2% lead in R20 multi-core (2832 versus 2827) and R23 single-core (952 versus 950). These margins are so small that they fall within run-to-run variance, meaning the i7-8709G's wins are statistically insignificant in isolation.

The Xeon E3-1230 v5 wins on platform versatility for server and workstation environments. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for data integrity in compute-heavy workloads, and it offers DDR3 and DDR4 memory support with dual-channel configuration and 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth. Its 80W TDP in a Socket 1151 form factor makes it suitable for traditional desktop or server motherboards. The i7-8709G, with its 65W TDP and BGA 2270 socket, is designed for mobile systems where its integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU. The Xeon also has a known part number (SR2LE) and a launch MSRP of $261, while the i7-8709G has no listed launch MSRP.

For users needing a compact, all-in-one mobile solution with capable graphics, the i7-8709G is the clear choice. For those building a server or workstation with a standard Socket 1151 motherboard and requiring ECC memory, the Xeon E3-1230 v5 is the only option of the two, despite its slight performance deficit. The data shows no meaningful CPU compute advantage for either part; the decision rests entirely on platform requirements.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architectural generations. The Core i7-8709G is based on Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake G codename, and belongs to the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-G) generation. The Xeon E3-1230 v5 uses Skylake architecture with the Skylake-DT codename, belonging to the Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) generation. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, so the underlying transistor technology is the same, but the designs differ.

The i7-8709G features integrated Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics, which is a significant architectural addition not present on the Xeon. This makes the i7-8709G a heterogeneous processor combining Intel CPU cores with AMD GPU silicon. The Xeon E3-1230 v5 has no integrated graphics at all, which is typical for server parts that rely on discrete GPUs or headless operation. The Xeon does have documented transistor count of 1,750 million and a die size of 122 mm², while those figures are not listed for the i7-8709G.

Memory architecture differs notably. The Xeon E3-1230 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, plus ECC memory support. The i7-8709G only supports DDR4 without ECC, and its memory bus and bandwidth are not specified. The Xeon also has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-8709G's PCIe configuration is not listed. The i7-8709G's market segment is Mobile, while the Xeon is Server/Workstation, which explains these architectural priorities.

Specification Differences

The core count and thread count are identical: both have 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache hierarchy is also the same, with 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3 cache. The key specification differences are as follows:

• Base Clock: The Xeon E3-1230 v5 has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 3.10 GHz on the i7-8709G.
• Boost Clock: The i7-8709G has a higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus 3.80 GHz on the Xeon.
• TDP: The i7-8709G is rated at 65W, while the Xeon is rated at 80W.
• Socket: The i7-8709G uses Intel BGA 2270 (mobile), while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151 (desktop/server).
• Memory Support: The i7-8709G supports DDR4 only; the Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4.
• Memory Bus: The Xeon has a dual-channel memory bus; the i7-8709G's memory bus is not specified.
• Memory Bandwidth: The Xeon has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s; the i7-8709G's is not specified.
• ECC Memory: The Xeon supports ECC; the i7-8709G does not.
• Integrated Graphics: The i7-8709G has Radeon RX Vega M GH; the Xeon has none.
• Market Segment: The i7-8709G is Mobile; the Xeon is Server/Workstation.
• Production Status: The i7-8709G is Active; the Xeon is End-of-life.
• Release Date: The i7-8709G was released on 2018-01-31, while the Xeon was released on 2015-10-18.
• Transistors: The Xeon has 1,750 million transistors; the i7-8709G's count is not listed.
• Die Size: The Xeon has a die size of 122 mm²; the i7-8709G's is not listed.
• Part Number: The Xeon has part number SR2LE; the i7-8709G's is not listed.

The launch MSRP for the Xeon E3-1230 v5 is $261; the i7-8709G has no launch MSRP listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results show a consistent, though tiny, advantage for the Core i7-8709G across all six Cinebench tests. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8709G scores 679 against the Xeon's 678, a 0.1% delta. The R15 single-core test is a dead heat at 95 points for both, with a 0% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-8709G scores 2832 in multi-core versus 2827 for the Xeon, a 0.2% lead, while single-core is again tied at 399 points. In the latest Cinebench R23, the i7-8709G takes multi-core at 6743 versus 6733 (0.1% delta) and single-core at 952 versus 950 (0.2% delta).

The biggest win for the i7-8709G is a 0.2% advantage in both R20 multi-core and R23 single-core. The largest margin for the Xeon is effectively a tie, with the R15 single-core and R20 single-core tests showing exactly equal scores. What these numbers indicate is that the two CPUs have nearly identical per-thread and multi-threaded performance in Cinebench workloads. The i7-8709G's higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz likely contributes to its slight edge in single-core tests, while the Xeon's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz does not translate into a sustained advantage.

In the context of their nearest rivals, both CPUs sit in a tight cluster. The i7-8709G's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-1035G7 with an average score of 1948 and a delta of 0.1%, followed by the Xeon E3-1230 v5 at 1947 (0.2% delta). The Xeon's nearest rivals include the i5-1035G7 at 1948 (-0.1% delta) and the Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 at 1945 (0.1% delta). These sub-0.3% deltas across four processors confirm that the i7-8709G and Xeon E3-1230 v5 are functionally equivalent in CPU compute terms, and their benchmark differences are within measurement noise. The data supports a conclusion that these two processors deliver the same Cinebench performance, with the i7-8709G's six wins being a statistical artifact of its slightly higher boost clock rather than a meaningful performance advantage.