Intel Pentium Silver N6005 vs Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 and Intel Pentium Silver N6005 are both 4-core, 4-thread processors, but they target entirely different segments. The Xeon is a server/workstation part from 2015 with ECC support and a 25W TDP, while the Pentium Silver is a 10W mobile chip from the Jasper Lake family. Benchmark results show a surprisingly consistent edge for the newer Pentium Silver across every single Cinebench test, despite the Xeon’s higher-tier positioning.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the Pentium Silver N6005 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with margins ranging from 4% to 4.8%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the N6005 scores 447 against the Xeon’s 429, a 4% lead. The single-core gap is slightly larger at 4.8%, with scores of 63 versus 60. This pattern holds in every other test: R20 multicore shows 1866 versus 1789 (4.1% lead), and R20 single-core shows 263 versus 252 (4.2% lead). The R23 results repeat the same story, with the N6005 posting 4444 multicore and 627 single-core against the Xeon’s 4261 and 601, both representing a 4.1% advantage.

These are not massive victories, but they are consistent. The N6005’s higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz versus the Xeon’s 3.00 GHz likely contributes to the single-core wins, while the newer 10 nm Tremont architecture appears to compensate for any architectural disadvantages in multi-threaded workloads. The average benchmark scores reflect this parity: the Xeon E3-1235L v5 averages 1232, while the N6005 averages 1218. Both processors sit at the 34th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall performance tier despite the N6005’s sweep in these specific tests.

It is notably the Xeon’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-8109U and Pentium Gold G6600, both within 0.2% of its average score. The N6005’s nearest rivals are the Core i7-3632QM (0.1% behind) and Core i5-2500 (0.2% behind). Neither chip is breaking any performance records; they are both firmly in entry-level territory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Xeon E3-1235L v5 uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel with a die size of 122 mm² and 1,750 million transistors. The Pentium Silver N6005 uses the Tremont architecture on a 10 nm node, also from Intel, but with a much smaller die size of 63.8 mm². The N6005’s transistor count is not listed in the data, but the smaller die suggests a denser, more efficient design.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The N6005 also has 64 KB of L1 per core, but its L2 is 1.5 MB shared across all cores, and its L3 is 4 MB shared. This means the Xeon has twice the L3 cache, which could benefit certain workloads, but the N6005’s shared L2 layout is a different approach to cache hierarchy.

Memory support is another divergence. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in dual-channel mode, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The N6005 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4, also dual-channel, but with a higher memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon, which is a critical feature for server and workstation reliability. PCIe lanes also differ: the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the N6005 provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes.

Integrated graphics are present on both, but they are different tiers. The Xeon features HD Graphics P530, while the N6005 features UHD Graphics 32EU. The Xeon’s socket is Intel Socket 1151, whereas the N6005 uses Intel BGA 1338, meaning the N6005 is soldered to the board and not upgradeable. The Xeon is a server/workstation part, while the N6005 is a mobile part.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Pentium Silver N6005 boosts to 3.30 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 boosts to 3.00 GHz. Both have a base clock of 2000 MHz.

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1235L v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon supports ECC memory. The Pentium Silver N6005 does not support ECC.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The N6005 has a higher memory bandwidth at 46.9 GB/s, compared to the Xeon’s 34.1 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Xeon E3-1235L v5 provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the N6005 provides 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No, both are end-of-life products. The Xeon was released in October 2015 with a launch MSRP of $250; the N6005’s release date and launch MSRP are not listed.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon has an average benchmark score of 1232, and the N6005 has an average benchmark score of 1218. Both sit at the 34th percentile of all CPUs.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Boost Clock: 3.00 GHz (Xeon) vs 3.30 GHz (N6005)
• TDP: 25W (Xeon) vs 10W (N6005)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1151 (Xeon) vs Intel BGA 1338 (N6005)
• Architecture: Skylake (Xeon) vs Tremont (N6005)
• Codename: Skylake-DT (Xeon) vs Jasper Lake (N6005)
• Generation: Xeon E3 (Skylake-DT) vs Pentium Silver (Tremont)
• Process Node: 14 nm (Xeon) vs 10 nm (N6005)
• Transistors: 1,750 million (Xeon) vs null (N6005)
• Die Size: 122 mm² (Xeon) vs 63.8 mm² (N6005)
• L2 Cache: 256 KB per core (Xeon) vs 1.5 MB shared (N6005)
• L3 Cache: 8 MB shared (Xeon) vs 4 MB shared (N6005)
• Memory Support: DDR3, DDR4 (Xeon) vs DDR4, LPDDR4 (N6005)
• Memory Bandwidth: 34.1 GB/s (Xeon) vs 46.9 GB/s (N6005)
• ECC Memory: true (Xeon) vs false (N6005)
• PCIe Lanes: 16 (Xeon) vs 8 (N6005)
• Integrated Graphics: HD Graphics P530 (Xeon) vs UHD Graphics 32EU (N6005)
• Market Segment: Server/Workstation (Xeon) vs Mobile (N6005)
• Release Date: 2015-10-18 (Xeon) vs null (N6005)
• Launch MSRP: $250 (Xeon) vs null (N6005)
• Part Number: SR2LM (Xeon) vs SRKGU (N6005)

Where Each One Wins

The Pentium Silver N6005 wins every Cinebench benchmark in this comparison. It is faster in both single-core and multi-core tests across R15, R20, and R23. Its 10W TDP makes it far more power-efficient than the Xeon’s 25W TDP, which is a major advantage for fanless designs, small-form-factor builds, or any system where heat and power draw are primary concerns. The N6005 also has higher memory bandwidth and a smaller die size, indicating a more modern and efficient design.

The Xeon E3-1235L v5 has its own strengths, even if they do not show up in Cinebench scores. ECC memory support is a dealbreaker for many workstation and server users who need error correction for long-running computations or data integrity. The Xeon also has twice the L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB), which could help in cache-sensitive workloads that the benchmark suite does not capture. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are double the N6005’s 8 lanes, allowing for more expansion options. The Xeon’s Socket 1151 also means it can be paired with a wider range of motherboards, whereas the N6005 is soldered to its board via BGA 1338.

The Verdict

The data points to the Pentium Silver N6005 as the better performer in pure CPU benchmarks. It beats the Xeon in every Cinebench test, with a consistent 4% to 4.8% margin, while consuming less than half the power (10W vs 25W). For anyone building a low-power, compact system where raw threaded performance on modern benchmarks matters, the N6005 is the clear choice based on these numbers. Its higher memory bandwidth and newer 10 nm process further reinforce its position as the more modern part.

However, the Xeon E3-1235L v5 remains relevant for specific use cases. If your workload requires ECC memory, the Xeon is the only option here. If you need 16 PCIe lanes for multiple add-in cards or NVMe drives, the Xeon’s 16 lanes beat the N6005’s 8. The Xeon’s larger L3 cache might also prove beneficial in certain server-style workloads, even if the Cinebench results do not reflect it. The Xeon is also a Socket 1151 part, which offers upgrade flexibility that the soldered N6005 cannot match.

In summary, the N6005 wins on raw benchmark performance and efficiency, making it the better pick for general-purpose, low-power computing. The Xeon wins on platform features like ECC, PCIe lanes, and cache capacity, making it the better pick for reliability-focused server or workstation builds. Both are end-of-life, so availability and platform costs will ultimately drive the decision, but the benchmark data clearly favors the N6005 for speed.