Intel Xeon D-1531 vs Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 Comparison

Both the Intel Xeon D-1531 and the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 are 14 nm server/workstation processors aimed at compact, power-conscious systems, but they represent two very different design philosophies within Intel’s lineup. The D-1531 is a Broadwell-DE part built for dense, low-power networking and storage appliances, while the E3-1558L v5 is a Skylake-H part with integrated graphics aimed at embedded and edge platforms. Benchmark data shows these two chips are nearly inseparable in raw compute performance, with the D-1531 taking a razor-thin edge in every single Cinebench test. The real differentiators are not in speed but in platform features, socket compatibility, and lifecycle status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1531 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests, but by margins of only 0.1% to 0.2%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the D-1531 scores 6517 versus 6508 for the E3-1558L v5.

Q: Do these CPUs have the same single-threaded performance?

A: Yes, effectively. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both score exactly 92. In R20, the D-1531 scores 386 versus 385 for the E3-1558L v5, a 0.3% difference. In R23, the scores are 920 and 918, respectively.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1531 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 includes integrated graphics, specifically the Iris Pro Graphics P555. The Intel Xeon D-1531 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What sockets do these processors use?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1531 uses Intel BGA 1667, while the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 uses Intel BGA 1440. They are not socket-compatible.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Xeon D-1531 is listed as Active, while the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 is marked as End-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different architectural generations and are built for different purposes. The Intel Xeon D-1531 is based on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE variant, and uses a 14 nm process node. It integrates 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The cache layout is per-core: 64 KB L1, 256 KB L2, and 1.5 MB L3 per core, giving a total of 9 MB of L3 across the six cores.

The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5, by contrast, is a Skylake-H part, also on a 14 nm process, but with fewer transistors (2,300 million) and a smaller die size of 171 mm². Its cache structure is different: it still uses 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the L3 cache is 8 MB shared across all four cores. This is a notable architectural difference, as the D-1531’s per-core L3 allocation is higher per core (1.5 MB per core) but the E3-1558L v5 has a unified pool.

Another critical difference is the integrated graphics. The E3-1558L v5 includes Iris Pro Graphics P555, while the D-1531 has none. This makes the E3-1558L v5 a viable option for systems requiring display output or GPU-accelerated compute without a discrete card. The E3-1558L v5 also lists a memory bandwidth figure of 34.1 GB/s, while the D-1531 does not specify one in the data. Both support DDR3 and DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory.

The PCIe lanes also differ. The D-1531 offers Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the E3-1558L v5 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the D-1531 an advantage in systems that need more expansion or storage connectivity directly from the CPU.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1531 wins on paper in every benchmark test, but the margins are essentially negligible. It takes the multi-core tests by 0.1% to 0.2% and the single-core tests by 0% to 0.3%. This means that for pure CPU compute, neither chip has a meaningful advantage over the other. The data shows a virtual tie in compute performance.

Where the D-1531 wins is in platform capability. It has 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 16 on the E3-1558L v5, making it better suited for systems with multiple NVMe drives, high-speed network cards, or other expansion needs. It also has two more cores and four more threads, which may help in workloads that are sensitive to core count even if the overall benchmark scores are nearly identical.

The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 wins on integrated graphics. With Iris Pro Graphics P555, it is the only one of the two that can output video or run GPU-accelerated workloads without a discrete card. This makes it the better choice for embedded systems, digital signage, or compact industrial PCs where a discrete GPU is not an option. It also has a higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.70 GHz on the D-1531, which could help in lightly threaded tasks that rely on frequency.

The E3-1558L v5 also has a more recent release date, coming out in May 2016 versus October 2015 for the D-1531. However, the E3-1558L v5 is end-of-life, while the D-1531 is still active. For long-term availability and supply chain security, the D-1531 is the safer bet.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Xeon D-1531 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The base clock is 2.20 GHz for the D-1531, while the E3-1558L v5 lists a base clock of 1900.00 MHz. The boost clock is 2.70 GHz for the D-1531 and 3.30 GHz for the E3-1558L v5.

Thermal design power differs as well: the D-1531 is rated at 35 W, while the E3-1558L v5 is rated at 45 W. The sockets are different, with the D-1531 using Intel BGA 1667 and the E3-1558L v5 using Intel BGA 1440. The D-1531 has 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the E3-1558L v5 has 16.

The cache configurations are different, as noted above: the D-1531 has 1.5 MB L3 per core, while the E3-1558L v5 has 8 MB shared L3. The die size and transistor count also differ, with the D-1531 at 246 mm² and 3,200 million transistors, and the E3-1558L v5 at 171 mm² and 2,300 million transistors.

The integrated graphics are exclusive to the E3-1558L v5. The memory bandwidth is listed only for the E3-1558L v5 at 34.1 GB/s. The production status is Active for the D-1531 and End-of-life for the E3-1558L v5. The D-1531 has a launch MSRP of $348, while the E3-1558L v5 has a launch MSRP of $396.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head Cinebench results are remarkably consistent: the Intel Xeon D-1531 wins every single test, but by margins that are statistically insignificant. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the D-1531 scores 656 versus 655 for the E3-1558L v5, a 0.2% difference. In R15 single-core, both tie at 92, with the D-1531 declared the winner by 0% delta.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the D-1531 scores 2737 in multi-core against 2733 for the E3-1558L v5, a 0.1% margin. In single-core, the D-1531 scores 386 versus 385, a 0.3% margin. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core scores are 6517 for the D-1531 and 6508 for the E3-1558L v5, again a 0.1% difference. In single-core R23, the D-1531 scores 920 versus 918, a 0.2% margin.

The data shows that the D-1531 wins all six head-to-head tests, but the largest margin is just 0.3%. In practical terms, these two chips are identical in compute performance. The D-1531’s extra two cores and four threads do not translate into any meaningful benchmark advantage. This suggests that the workloads used in these tests are not heavily core-bound, or that the E3-1558L v5’s higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz compensates for its lower core count.

The average benchmark score for the D-1531 is 1885, while the E3-1558L v5 scores 1882. Both have the same 43rd percentile ranking among all CPUs. The nearest rivals for the D-1531 include the Intel Core i7-4940MX (1886, -0.1% delta) and the Intel Xeon E3-1270L v4 (1883, 0.1% delta). The nearest rivals for the E3-1558L v5 include the Intel Processor U300 (1881, 0.1% delta) and the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 (1879, 0.2% delta). Both chips sit in a very tight cluster of CPUs scoring around 1880-1886, confirming that they are direct competitors in performance.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows that the Intel Xeon D-1531 and the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 are effectively tied in raw compute performance. The D-1531 wins all six Cinebench tests, but by margins of 0.1% to 0.3%, which is within run-to-run variance. Neither chip offers a meaningful performance advantage over the other.

The decision comes down to platform features and lifecycle. Choose the Intel Xeon D-1531 if you need more PCIe lanes (24 vs. 16), a lower TDP (35 W vs. 45 W), and an active production status. Its six cores and twelve threads provide a theoretical advantage in heavily threaded workloads, even if the benchmarks do not show it. It is also the better choice for systems that require many expansion cards or NVMe drives.

Choose the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 if you need integrated graphics. The Iris Pro Graphics P555 is a significant feature for embedded systems, digital signage, or industrial PCs where a discrete GPU is impractical. Its higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz may also provide a slight edge in single-threaded tasks that scale with frequency, even though the benchmarks do not reflect this. The E3-1558L v5 also has a more recent release date, but its end-of-life status is a concern for long-term deployments.

In summary, the data does not favor either chip on performance. The D-1531 is the safer, more expandable choice for active projects, while the E3-1558L v5 is the only option with integrated graphics. Pick based on your platform needs, not on benchmark scores, because the benchmark scores are effectively identical.