Intel Xeon D-1518 vs Intel Xeon E5630 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon D-1518 wins every recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Xeon E5630. In five Cinebench tests spanning R15, R20, and R23, the D-1518 takes all five, with the E5630 failing to secure a single victory. The margins are strikingly consistent, hovering near the 20% mark across both multi-core and single-core workloads.

Starting with multi-core performance, the D-1518 scores 390 in Cinebench R15 multicore, which is 20.4% ahead of the E5630's 324. Moving to Cinebench R20 multicore, the gap narrows slightly to 20.2%, with the D-1518 posting 1628 against the E5630's 1354. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the D-1518 again leads by 20.2%, recording 3877 versus 3226. These multi-core results show a consistent pattern: the D-1518 maintains roughly a one-fifth advantage regardless of the Cinebench version.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the D-1518 scores 229, a 19.9% improvement over the E5630's 191. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the D-1518 reaches 547, while the E5630 manages 455, a 20.2% delta. The consistency of these margins across different workload types and Cinebench generations is notable. It suggests that the D-1518's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental architectural edge that persists across both lightly threaded and fully threaded scenarios.

The average benchmark scores corroborate this picture. The D-1518 holds an average benchmark score of 1121, placing it in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs. The E5630, by contrast, averages 1110, sitting in the 31st percentile. The difference in average score is small, only about 1%, but the percentile ranking confirms that both processors occupy similar overall positions in the broader CPU landscape. Their nearest rivals reflect this proximity: the D-1518 is flanked by the AMD Athlon 240GE at 1121 (0% delta), the Intel Core i7-2860QM at 1120 (0.1% delta), the Intel Core i3-4150 at 1119 (0.2% delta), and the Intel Core i5-3550S at 1118 (0.3% delta). The E5630's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-5557U at 1110 (0% delta), the Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 at 1109 (0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-4570T at 1108 (0.2% delta), and the AMD PRO A12-8870 at 1107 (0.2% delta).

These rival placements show that the D-1518 sits at the upper edge of a tight cluster, while the E5630 sits at the lower edge of an equally tight cluster. The 20% head-to-head margins are therefore more meaningful than the average scores alone might suggest, because they measure direct performance under identical test conditions rather than aggregate positions among different competitor sets.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and manufacturing nodes, which explains much of the performance gap. The Intel Xeon D-1518 is built on Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE variant, using a 14 nm process. The Intel Xeon E5630 uses Westmere architecture, specifically Westmere-EP, on a 32 nm process. The node shrink from 32 nm to 14 nm is substantial and contributes to the D-1518's efficiency and performance advantages.

Transistor counts differ dramatically. The D-1518 packs 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die, while the E5630 contains only 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. The D-1518 therefore crams nearly three times as many transistors into a slightly larger die area, a reflection of the denser 14 nm manufacturing process. This density allows for more complex logic and improved performance per watt.

Cache layouts also differ. Both processors feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is organized differently. The D-1518 provides 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core, while the E5630 offers 12 MB of shared L3 cache. With four cores each, the D-1518's per-core allocation totals 6 MB, but the E5630's shared pool is larger overall. The shared versus per-core distinction matters for access patterns: the E5630's unified 12 MB pool can be flexibly allocated across cores, whereas the D-1518's per-core slices may be more predictable but less adaptable under uneven load.

Memory support adds another layer of divergence. The D-1518 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory through a dual-channel bus, while the E5630 supports only DDR3 through a triple-channel bus. The triple-channel configuration on the E5630 could provide higher memory bandwidth in theory, but the D-1518's newer memory controller and DDR4 compatibility offer a more modern foundation. Both processors support ECC memory, which suits their server and workstation positioning.

PCI Express capabilities differ as well. The D-1518 features PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the E5630 uses PCIe Gen 2. The newer generation and higher lane count on the D-1518 enable faster peripheral communication, which can benefit storage and networking workloads. The socket types are incompatible: the D-1518 uses Intel BGA 1667, a soldered design, while the E5630 uses Intel Socket 1366, a traditional LGA socket.

The D-1518's TDP is 35 watts, significantly lower than the E5630's 80 watts. This efficiency gap stems from the newer process node and architectural improvements. The D-1518 also carries a boost clock of 2.20 GHz base with no listed boost, while the E5630 runs at 2.53 GHz base and boosts to 2.80 GHz. Despite the E5630's higher clock speeds, the D-1518 still outperforms it in every benchmark, underscoring the per-clock efficiency gains of the newer architecture.

Release dates reflect the generational gap. The D-1518 launched on March 8, 2015, while the E5630 launched on March 15, 2010, a five-year separation. The D-1518 remains in active production, while the E5630 is end-of-life. The D-1518 carries a launch MSRP of $193, while the E5630 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Xeon D-1518 is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. It wins all five head-to-head tests, with margins between 19.9% and 20.4%. For workloads that depend on raw computational throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the D-1518 delivers consistently higher scores.

The D-1518's advantages extend beyond benchmark scores. It consumes less power, with a 35 watt TDP versus 80 watts for the E5630, making it a more efficient choice for dense server deployments where thermal and power budgets are constrained. It supports newer memory standards, including DDR4, and features PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes. It remains in active production, whereas the E5630 is end-of-life, which has implications for long-term availability and support.

The E5630, however, retains one notable asset: its 12 MB shared L3 cache, which is larger than the D-1518's per-core allocation. For workloads that benefit from a large shared cache pool, such as certain database or virtualization scenarios, the E5630's cache structure could be advantageous. Its higher base and boost clocks, 2.53 GHz and 2.80 GHz respectively, also indicate that it was designed for higher-frequency operation, even if that does not translate into superior benchmark performance against the newer architecture.

Users building a new server or workstation should favor the D-1518 based on the recorded data. Its benchmark wins are decisive, its power efficiency is superior, and its production status ensures ongoing availability. Users maintaining legacy systems with Socket 1366 infrastructure might consider the E5630 for drop-in compatibility, but they should expect lower performance and higher power consumption. The D-1518's soldered BGA package means it is not a replacement option for existing Socket 1366 motherboards, so platform-level decisions are required either way.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-1518 | Intel Xeon E5630 |

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

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 2.53 GHz |

| Boost Clock | Not listed | 2.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 80 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1667 | Intel Socket 1366 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Westmere |

| Codename | Broadwell | Westmere-EP |

| Generation | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) | Xeon (Westmere-EP) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 3,200 million | 1,170 million |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 239 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 1.5 MB (per core) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Triple-channel |

| ECC Memory | Yes | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

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

| Release Date | 2015-03-08 | 2010-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $193 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SR2DN | SLBVB |

Both processors share identical core counts (4), thread counts (8), L1 cache (64 KB per core), and L2 cache (256 KB per core). Both lack integrated graphics and both have locked multipliers. The D-1518 and E5630 are both positioned in the server and workstation market segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1518 leads in all multi-core tests. It scores 390 versus 324 in Cinebench R15, 1628 versus 1354 in Cinebench R20, and 3877 versus 3226 in Cinebench R23. Each margin is approximately 20%.

Q: Does the older Intel Xeon E5630 outperform the D-1518 in single-core tests?

A: No. The D-1518 wins single-core tests as well, scoring 229 versus 191 in Cinebench R20 singlecore and 547 versus 455 in Cinebench R23 singlecore, representing deltas of 19.9% and 20.2% respectively.

Q: How do their power consumptions compare?

A: The D-1518 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the E5630 has a TDP of 80 watts. The D-1518 consumes less than half the power budget of the E5630 while delivering higher performance.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon D-1518 supports DDR4 memory, in addition to DDR3. The Intel Xeon E5630 supports DDR3 only. The D-1518 uses a dual-channel memory bus, while the E5630 uses a triple-channel bus.

Q: Are these processors interchangeable in the same motherboard?

A: No. The D-1518 uses Intel BGA 1667, a soldered package, while the E5630 uses Intel Socket 1366. These are physically incompatible platforms.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1518 is listed as active in production, while the Intel Xeon E5630 is end-of-life. The D-1518 also has a recorded launch MSRP of $193, while no launch MSRP is listed for the E5630.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1518 wins every benchmark category recorded in the database. For multi-threaded workloads such as video rendering, software compilation, and scientific computing, the D-1518's consistent 20% advantage across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests makes it the clear choice. Its 14 nm process and 35 watt TDP also make it suitable for power-constrained environments, such as dense blade servers or edge computing deployments where cooling and electricity costs are primary concerns. The D-1518's support for DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes positions it for modern storage and networking hardware, making it a better fit for current-generation infrastructure.

For single-threaded workloads, the D-1518 again takes the lead. Its 19.9% and 20.2% advantages in Cinebench R20 and R23 singlecore tests indicate superior per-core performance despite the E5630's higher clock speeds. Applications that rely on a single fast core, such as certain database queries or legacy software that is not well parallelized, will benefit more from the D-1518's architecture.

The Intel Xeon E5630, while losing all head-to-head benchmarks, still has niches where its specifications could prove useful. Its 12 MB shared L3 cache is larger than the D-1518's per-core L3 allocation. Workloads that heavily reuse a large working set across multiple cores, such as in-memory databases or certain virtualization workloads, might leverage this shared cache more effectively. The E5630's triple-channel memory bus could also provide higher peak memory bandwidth for DDR3-based systems, though the D-1518's DDR4 support may offset this in practice.

The E5630's higher base clock of 2.53 GHz and boost clock of 2.80 GHz indicate it was designed for frequency-oriented tasks, but the benchmark data shows that the D-1518's architectural efficiency overcomes this frequency disadvantage. For legacy Socket 1366 platforms where the E5630 is a drop-in replacement, the E5630 remains a functional option, particularly for extending the life of existing servers. However, for any new deployment, the D-1518's benchmark dominance, lower power consumption, and active production status make it the data-driven recommendation.