Intel Xeon D-1521 vs Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 and the Intel Xeon D-1521 are two server-focused processors that, despite belonging to different architectural generations and physical packages, deliver nearly identical benchmark results. The data shows the E5-1410 v2 edges out a narrow victory across all six tested Cinebench workloads, yet the two chips are statistically inseparable, with an average benchmark score of 1368 versus 1367 respectively. This places both processors at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, and their nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6376 and the Intel Core i7-2600, each within a 0.2% delta of their average scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 holds a marginal lead with an average benchmark score of 1368, compared to 1367 for the Intel Xeon D-1521. This 1-point difference translates to a deltaPct of just 0.1% in favor of the E5-1410 v2.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where the Xeon D-1521 wins?

A: No. Across all six head-to-head Cinebench tests — R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core variants — the Xeon D-1521 either ties or loses. The E5-1410 v2 wins 6 tests, while the D-1521 wins 0, although most deltas are 0% or 0.1%.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare between the two CPUs?

A: Both processors are identical in this regard, featuring 4 cores and 8 threads. They also share the same per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and per-core L2 cache of 256 KB, along with ECC memory support and Gen 3 PCIe with 24 CPU lanes.

Q: What is the most significant architectural difference between the two?

A: The process node and cache layout differ substantially. The E5-1410 v2 uses Intel's 22 nm Ivy Bridge-EN architecture with a shared 10 MB L3 cache, while the D-1521 uses the 14 nm Broadwell-DE architecture with a per-core 1.5 MB L3 cache (totaling 6 MB across four cores).

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 boosts to 3.20 GHz, which is 0.50 GHz higher than the Xeon D-1521's 2.70 GHz boost. The base clocks also differ, at 2.80 GHz for the E5-1410 v2 versus 2.40 GHz for the D-1521.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Xeon E5-1410 v2 is marked as end-of-life, having been released on 2014-01-08, while the Xeon D-1521 is active, with a release date of 2015-10-31. The D-1521 also has a launch MSRP of $199.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a unique scenario: two processors from different eras and sockets that perform almost identically. The Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 wins all six head-to-head tests, but the margins are razor-thin — five of the six tests show a 0% delta, with the remaining three (R20 multi-core, R23 multi-core, R23 single-core) showing a 0.1% advantage for the E5-1410 v2. For any workload, the choice between these two should not be made on raw performance. Instead, the data points to other factors: the D-1521 is an active product with a stated launch MSRP of $199, while the E5-1410 v2 is end-of-life. If availability and ongoing support matter, the D-1521 is the logical pick. Conversely, the E5-1410 v2 offers a higher boost clock (3.20 GHz vs 2.70 GHz) and a larger shared L3 cache (10 MB vs 1.5 MB per core), which might appeal to buyers with existing Socket 1356 infrastructure. The D-1521's 45 W TDP is also notably lower than the E5-1410 v2's 80 W, making it the more power-efficient option for dense deployments. Ultimately, the data suggests users should prioritize platform compatibility and power constraints over benchmark scores, as the compute performance is effectively a tie.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six Cinebench tests reveal a consistent pattern of near-perfect parity. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, both processors score exactly 476, resulting in a 0% delta and a nominal win for the E5-1410 v2. The R15 single-core test is equally tied, with both chips scoring 67. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test shows the E5-1410 v2 at 1987 versus 1985 for the D-1521, a 0.1% edge. The R20 single-core test again produces identical scores of 280 for both. In the most demanding workload, Cinebench R23 multi-core, the E5-1410 v2 scores 4732 against 4728 for the D-1521, another 0.1% margin. Finally, the R23 single-core test sees the E5-1410 v2 post 668, just one point ahead of the D-1521's 667, for a 0.1% delta. The largest absolute difference across any test is just 4 points in the R23 multi-core benchmark. These results indicate that the higher clock speeds of the E5-1410 v2 do not translate into meaningful performance gains, likely because the D-1521's newer 14 nm architecture and per-core cache configuration compensate for its lower frequencies.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in physical and electrical specifications. The E5-1410 v2 uses the Intel Socket 1356, while the D-1521 is built for Intel BGA 1667, meaning they are not interchangeable in any system. The E5-1410 v2 has a TDP of 80 W, versus 45 W for the D-1521, a substantial difference for thermal design. Clock speeds differ, with the E5-1410 v2 running at 2.80 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost, while the D-1521 runs at 2.40 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. Memory support also differs: the E5-1410 v2 supports only DDR3 in a triple-channel configuration, offering 32.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth, whereas the D-1521 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, with no memory bandwidth figure listed in the data. The production status and release dates also differ, with the E5-1410 v2 being end-of-life from January 2014 and the D-1521 active from October 2015. The D-1521 has a launch MSRP of $199, while the E5-1410 v2 has no listed launch MSRP. Finally, the part numbers are distinct: SR1B0 for the E5-1410 v2 and SR2DF for the D-1521.

Architecture Differences

Architecturally, these chips represent two distinct design philosophies. The E5-1410 v2 is built on Intel's 22 nm Ivy Bridge-EN process, with a die size of 257 mm² and 1,860 million transistors. Its cache hierarchy uses a shared 10 MB L3 cache, which is a single pool accessible by all four cores. In contrast, the D-1521 is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm Broadwell-DE process, featuring a smaller die at 246 mm² but a higher transistor count of 3,200 million. Its L3 cache is organized per-core at 1.5 MB per core, which totals 6 MB across all cores but is not shared in the same way. The transistor density improvement from 22 nm to 14 nm is evident: the D-1521 packs 72% more transistors into a slightly smaller area. Both processors use the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache sizes, and both lack integrated graphics. The E5-1410 v2 belongs to the Xeon E5 generation (Ivy Bridge-EN), while the D-1521 is from the Xeon D generation (Broadwell-DE). Both have ECC memory support and Gen 3 PCIe with 24 CPU lanes, but the memory controllers differ: triple-channel for the E5-1410 v2 versus dual-channel for the D-1521.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on benchmark results, the Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 wins every single test, but the margins are so small that the "win" is symbolic rather than practical. The E5-1410 v2's advantages are its higher base and boost clocks (2.80/3.20 GHz vs 2.40/2.70 GHz), its larger shared L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB total), and its triple-channel memory bus with a specified 32.0 GB/s bandwidth. These traits could theoretically benefit workloads that are sensitive to memory bandwidth or that rely on a large, shared cache pool for frequently accessed data. However, the benchmark scores do not reflect any such advantage, with deltas of only 0.1% at most. The Xeon D-1521, on the other hand, wins in every non-benchmark category that matters for deployment. It is an active product, whereas the E5-1410 v2 is end-of-life. It draws 45 W versus 80 W, making it far more suitable for power-constrained environments. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering more flexibility in system design. Its 14 nm process with 3,200 million transistors suggests a more modern design that may have better power efficiency per operation, even if raw scores are identical. For new system builds, the D-1521 is the clear choice based on availability and power profile. For existing Socket 1356 platforms, the E5-1410 v2 is the only option that fits, and its benchmark parity means no performance penalty for staying with the older platform.