Intel Core i7-9850HE vs Intel Xeon D-1540 Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1540 and Intel Core i7-9850HE are both 14 nm Intel processors with a 45 W TDP, but they target different market segments. The Xeon D-1540 is a server/workstation part with 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-9850HE is a mobile processor with 6 cores and 12 threads. In the recorded Cinebench benchmarks, the Xeon D-1540 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 1.7% to 1.9%. The following analysis walks through the exact scores, the use cases each processor suits, and the architectural and specification differences that separate them.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, spanning R15, R20, and R23, each with multi-core and single-core variants. In every test, the Intel Xeon D-1540 posts a higher score than the Intel Core i7-9850HE. The margins are consistent, hovering near 1.9% for most tests.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon D-1540 scores 859 against 843 for the i7-9850HE, a 1.9% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a narrower gap: 121 versus 119, a 1.7% advantage for the Xeon. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 3583 for the Xeon and 3515 for the i7, again a 1.9% difference. The R20 single-core test gives 505 versus 496, a 1.8% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 8531 against 8370, a 1.9% margin, and the R23 single-core test records 1204 versus 1181, also 1.9%. Across all six tests, the Xeon D-1540 wins by a small but consistent margin.

The average benchmark score reinforces this pattern. The Xeon D-1540 has an average score of 2467, while the i7-9850HE sits at 2421. That is a difference of 46 points, roughly 1.9% of the i7's average. Both processors land at the 48th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are statistically similar in overall standing, but the Xeon holds a slight edge in every measured workload.

The deltas are small, but they are uniform. No test shows the i7-9850HE ahead. The Xeon's advantage is not driven by a single outlier; it appears across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, suggesting a consistent performance lead in the Cinebench suite.

Where Each One Wins

Given the head-to-head results, the Xeon D-1540 wins every benchmark comparison. The i7-9850HE does not win any of the six recorded tests. However, the two processors are built for different environments, and the data does not capture every possible workload.

The Xeon D-1540 is classified as a server/workstation processor. It offers 8 cores and 16 threads, which is two more cores and four more threads than the i7-9850HE. It also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i7. The Xeon provides 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the i7 lists only "Gen 3" without a lane count. For server or workstation deployments that require ECC reliability and more PCIe connectivity, the Xeon D-1540 is the appropriate part, and its benchmark scores confirm it is also the faster of the two in Cinebench.

The i7-9850HE, on the other hand, is a mobile processor. It includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, which the Xeon lacks entirely. It also has a higher base clock (2.70 GHz versus 2.00 GHz) and a much higher boost clock (4.40 GHz versus 2.60 GHz). Despite these clock advantages, the i7 still trails in every Cinebench test. The i7 also has a specified memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Xeon does not have a listed memory bandwidth value. For systems that need integrated graphics and a compact mobile form factor, the i7-9850HE offers those features, but the recorded data shows it behind the Xeon in raw render performance.

In summary, the Xeon D-1540 wins all measured benchmarks. The i7-9850HE wins on feature availability: integrated graphics, a higher boost clock, and a defined memory bandwidth. But when the question is purely about Cinebench scores, the Xeon is the clear winner.

The Verdict

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Xeon D-1540 is the stronger performer in every Cinebench test. It leads the i7-9850HE by 1.7% to 1.9% across six benchmarks, and its average benchmark score is 2467 versus 2421. For workloads that rely on multi-threaded rendering or single-threaded responsiveness as measured by Cinebench, the Xeon D-1540 is the better choice.

The i7-9850HE, however, is not without merit. It has a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz, integrated UHD Graphics 630, and a defined memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. These features may be relevant for mobile systems where a discrete GPU is not available and where the higher clock speeds could benefit certain tasks. Yet the benchmark results do not reflect any advantage for the i7 in the Cinebench suite. The i7 also has a smaller die size (149 mm² versus 246 mm²) and is marked as end-of-life, while the Xeon remains active.

For users who prioritize the measured performance in Cinebench, the Xeon D-1540 is the definitive pick. For those who need integrated graphics and a mobile-oriented package, the i7-9850HE offers those capabilities, but it will not outperform the Xeon in the tests recorded here. The data is unambiguous: the Xeon wins all six head-to-head comparisons.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1540 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-9850HE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850HE has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, compared to 2.60 GHz for the Xeon D-1540.

Q: Does the Xeon D-1540 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon D-1540 supports ECC memory, while the i7-9850HE does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850HE includes UHD Graphics 630, while the Xeon D-1540 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The Xeon D-1540 has an average benchmark score of 2467, and the i7-9850HE has 2421.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Xeon D-1540 scores 8531, while the i7-9850HE scores 8370, a 1.9% lead for the Xeon.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 14 nm process node, but they use different microarchitectures. The Xeon D-1540 is based on Broadwell, specifically the Broadwell-DE generation, while the i7-9850HE uses Coffee Lake, specifically Coffee Lake-HR. This architectural split explains several differences in cache, memory support, and feature sets.

The Xeon D-1540 has a die size of 246 mm² and contains 3,200 million transistors. The i7-9850HE has a smaller die size of 149 mm², but its transistor count is not listed in the database. Cache organization differs as well. The Xeon provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, and its L3 cache is 1.5 MB per core. The i7 also has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but its L3 cache is 9 MB shared across all cores. This means the Xeon's L3 is distributed per core, while the i7 uses a shared pool.

Memory support is another key difference. The Xeon D-1540 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i7-9850HE supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the i7 has a specified memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, whereas the Xeon does not have a listed bandwidth value. ECC memory is supported on the Xeon but not on the i7.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Xeon D-1540 provides 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-9850HE lists simply "Gen 3" without a lane count. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, while the i7 includes UHD Graphics 630. The sockets are different as well: the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1667, and the i7 uses Intel BGA 1440.

The market segments and production statuses are distinct. The Xeon D-1540 is a server/workstation processor and is marked as active. The i7-9850HE is a mobile processor and is marked as end-of-life. The Xeon has a release date of 2015-03-08, while the i7's release date is not listed. The Xeon also has a launch MSRP of $581, while the i7 has no launch MSRP recorded.

Specification Differences

The following table lists the fields where the two processors differ, based on the database records.

| Field | Intel Xeon D-1540 | Intel Core i7-9850HE |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.60 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1667 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Broadwell | Coffee Lake-HR |

| Generation | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) | Core i7 (Coffee Lake-HR) |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 149 mm² |

| Transistors | 3,200 million | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 1.5 MB (per core) | 9 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2015-03-08 | Not listed |

| Launch MSRP | $581 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SR29A | SRFED |

These differences highlight the distinct design goals of each processor. The Xeon D-1540 emphasizes core count, ECC support, and PCIe lane availability for server workloads. The i7-9850HE focuses on higher clock speeds, integrated graphics, and a smaller die for mobile systems. The benchmark data, however, shows that the Xeon D-1540 outperforms the i7-9850HE in every Cinebench test, despite the i7's higher clock rates.