Intel Core i7-8709G vs Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records six Cinebench comparisons between the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 and the Intel Core i7-8709G. The results are remarkably consistent: the Xeon wins all six tests, but by narrow margins that rarely exceed 1.3 percent. This is not a contest of dominance; it is a set of incremental edges that accumulate across workloads.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon E3-1245 v5 scores 687 against 679 for the Core i7-8709G, a delta of 1.2 percent. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern, 96 versus 95, with the Xeon ahead by 1.1 percent. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore gap widens slightly to 1.2 percent (2865 versus 2832), while the single-core delta reaches 1.3 percent (404 versus 399), the largest margin in the entire dataset. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 6822 versus 6743, again a 1.2 percent advantage for the Xeon. The R23 single-core test completes the sweep at 963 versus 952, a 1.2 percent lead.

The consistency is notable. Every single-core and multicore test lands within a 1.1 to 1.3 percent band. The Xeon's base clock is 3.50 GHz versus 3.10 GHz for the Core i7, yet the Core i7 boosts higher at 4.10 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. The benchmark data suggests that the higher base clock of the Xeon translates into a small but reproducible edge, while the Core i7's higher boost clock does not fully close the gap.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story. The Xeon E3-1245 v5 posts an average score of 1973, while the Core i7-8709G averages 1950. That 23-point difference places the Xeon 1.2 percent higher on average, matching the head-to-head deltas. Both processors sit at the 44th percentile among all CPUs in the database, so neither is a standout in the broader market, but within this pairing the Xeon is consistently the faster chip.

The nearest rival lists reinforce the context. The Xeon E3-1245 v5 sits between the Intel Core i5-7600K (average score 1976, delta -0.2 percent) and the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X (average score 1968, delta 0.2 percent). The Core i7-8709G, meanwhile, is bracketed by the Intel Core i5-1035G7 (average score 1948, delta 0.1 percent) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE (average score 1954, delta -0.2 percent). These are not distant competitors; they are near-neighbors in performance space. The Xeon's advantage over the Core i7 is real but small, comparable to the difference between adjacent chips in a crowded field.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear but nuanced conclusion. For any workload that relies on Cinebench-style rendering or compute, the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 is the faster processor. It wins all six head-to-head tests, and its average benchmark score is higher. The margins are small, between 1.1 and 1.3 percent, so the choice should hinge on factors beyond raw performance.

The Xeon E3-1245 v5 is a server and workstation part, built for the Intel Socket 1151 platform, with ECC memory support and an integrated HD Graphics P530. The Core i7-8709G is a mobile processor on Intel BGA 2270, with no ECC support and a Radeon RX Vega M GH integrated GPU. The Xeon's 80 W TDP is higher than the Core i7's 65 W TDP, reflecting its desktop-oriented design. The Xeon also has a higher base clock (3.50 GHz versus 3.10 GHz), though the Core i7 boosts higher (4.10 GHz versus 3.90 GHz).

The Core i7-8709G is an active production part, while the Xeon E3-1245 v5 is end-of-life. That distinction may matter for long-term availability and platform support. The Xeon was released in October 2015 with a launch MSRP of $294; the Core i7 arrived in January 2018. If the use case is a workstation that needs ECC memory and a stable server platform, the Xeon is the logical pick. If the use case is a compact mobile system where power draw and integrated graphics matter more, the Core i7 offers a lower TDP and a newer integrated GPU, at the cost of a small performance deficit.

The benchmark data does not indicate a dramatic performance gap, so the decision should be driven by platform requirements, not by raw Cinebench scores. The Xeon wins on compute, but the Core i7 wins on mobility and integrated graphics capability. Neither chip is a clear overall winner; they serve different segments.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures, both fabricated on a 14 nm process by Intel. The Xeon E3-1245 v5 uses the Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-DT codename, and belongs to the Xeon E3 generation. The Core i7-8709G uses the Kaby Lake architecture, with the Kaby Lake G codename, and belongs to the Core i7 generation. Both are 14 nm parts, and both use Intel as the foundry.

The Xeon E3-1245 v5 has 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. The Core i7-8709G does not have transistor or die size data recorded in the database. This asymmetry means the Xeon's physical implementation is well-documented, while the Core i7's is not.

Cache hierarchies are identical in structure: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Both chips have four cores and eight threads, so the per-core cache allocation is the same. The L3 cache size is also identical, which means the architectural difference does not extend to cache capacity.

The integrated graphics are a major differentiator. The Xeon uses HD Graphics P530, while the Core i7-8709G pairs with a Radeon RX Vega M GH. The Radeon part is a far more capable integrated GPU, though the database does not record benchmark scores for either graphics solution. The Xeon's graphics are typical of a server/workstation part, sufficient for display output but not intended for compute-heavy graphics workloads. The Core i7's Radeon solution is designed for more demanding visual tasks, reflecting its mobile and consumer positioning.

Memory support also diverges. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the Core i7 supports DDR4 only. The Xeon also has ECC memory support, which the Core i7 lacks. The Xeon's memory bus is dual-channel with a recorded bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s; the Core i7's memory bus and bandwidth are not recorded in the database. The Xeon also has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7's PCIe configuration is not listed.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ across several recorded specifications. The most obvious is the socket: the Xeon E3-1245 v5 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Core i7-8709G uses Intel BGA 2270. This alone dictates the platform: the Xeon is a socketed desktop/server part, the Core i7 is a soldered mobile part.

Base clocks differ by 0.40 GHz, with the Xeon at 3.50 GHz and the Core i7 at 3.10 GHz. Boost clocks invert the relationship, with the Core i7 at 4.10 GHz and the Xeon at 3.90 GHz. The Xeon has a higher idle-to-sustained clock, while the Core i7 has a higher maximum single-core burst.

TDP differs by 15 W, with the Xeon at 80 W and the Core i7 at 65 W. This reflects the Xeon's desktop orientation and the Core i7's mobile design. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory; the Core i7 supports only DDR4. The Xeon has ECC memory support; the Core i7 does not. The Xeon has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s; the Core i7 has no memory bandwidth figure.

The integrated graphics differ completely: HD Graphics P530 versus Radeon RX Vega M GH. The Xeon reports a PCIe configuration of Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only); the Core i7 has no PCIe data. The market segments differ, with the Xeon classified as Server/Workstation and the Core i7 as Mobile. Production status also differs: the Xeon is end-of-life, the Core i7 is active. The Xeon has a recorded launch MSRP of $294; the Core i7 has no launch MSRP. The Xeon has a part number (SR2LL); the Core i7 does not. Both processors have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 wins all three multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 it scores 687 versus 679, in R20 it scores 2865 versus 2832, and in R23 it scores 6822 versus 6743. The margin is 1.2 percent in each case.

Q: Does the Core i7-8709G win any benchmark comparison?

A: No. The recorded head-to-head data shows the Xeon winning all six Cinebench tests, with zero wins for the Core i7. The closest result is Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Xeon leads by 1.1 percent (96 versus 95).

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E3-1245 v5 has an average benchmark score of 1973, while the Core i7-8709G averages 1950. That is a 23-point difference, roughly 1.2 percent in favor of the Xeon.

Q: Do the two processors have the same cache configuration?

A: Yes. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The cache hierarchy is identical, and both have four cores and eight threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-8709G does not. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the Core i7 supports DDR4 only.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Xeon E3-1245 v5 has a TDP of 80 W, while the Core i7-8709G has a TDP of 65 W. The Core i7 is the lower-power part, consistent with its mobile market segment.