Intel Xeon D-1531 vs Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4 Comparison
Intel Xeon D-1531
Xeon E5-1630 v4
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon D-1531 vs Intel Xeon E5-1630 v4
The Verdict
The Intel Xeon D-1531 is the outright winner across every single benchmark in this comparison, taking all six head-to-head tests. The margin is narrow — between 0.8% and 1.1% depending on the workload — but it is consistent. For users choosing strictly on measured performance, the D-1531 is the pick. However, the E5-1630 v4 counters with a much higher base clock (3.70 GHz vs 2.20 GHz), quad-channel memory, and double the PCIe lanes, which matters for systems that need memory bandwidth or expansion capacity rather than raw Cinebench scores.
The D-1531 targets server/workstation deployments where its 35 W TDP and BGA 1667 socket fit dense, power-conscious designs. The E5-1630 v4 is a Desktop-market part on Socket 2011-3, now end-of-life, with a 140 W TDP that demands serious cooling. The benchmark data shows the D-1531 leading by 0.8% in R15 multicore (656 vs 651) and by 1.1% in R15 singlecore (92 vs 91), but those deltas are so small that real-world differences will be imperceptible. The deciding factors are platform-level: the D-1531's efficiency and active production status versus the E5-1630 v4's memory bandwidth and PCIe capability.
Architecture Differences
Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm Broadwell architecture, with the D-1531 using the Broadwell-DE variant and the E5-1630 v4 using Broadwell-EP. The transistor counts differ slightly: 3,200 million for the D-1531 versus 3,400 million for the E5-1630 v4, though the die size is identical at 246 mm².
The core configurations diverge significantly. The D-1531 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the E5-1630 v4 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache layouts also differ: the D-1531 provides 1.5 MB of L3 per core, while the E5-1630 v4 offers 10 MB shared L3. Per-core L1 and L2 are the same at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively.
Memory support is a major differentiator. The D-1531 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, while the E5-1630 v4 supports DDR4 only but over a quad-channel bus with a rated bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The E5-1630 v4 also has more PCIe lanes: 40 lanes of Gen 3 versus 24 lanes on the D-1531. Both support ECC memory, and neither has integrated graphics.
The sockets are incompatible: the D-1531 uses Intel BGA 1667 (soldered), while the E5-1630 v4 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The D-1531 remains in active production, whereas the E5-1630 v4 is end-of-life. Release dates are roughly eight months apart — the D-1531 launched in October 2015 and the E5-1630 v4 in June 2016.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The D-1531 wins every Cinebench test in the comparison, but the margins are tight. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the D-1531 scores 656 against the E5-1630 v4's 651, a 0.8% lead. The single-core R15 result is 92 versus 91, a 1.1% edge for the D-1531 — the largest delta in the entire set.
Moving to Cinebench R20, the D-1531 posts 2737 in multicore versus 2714 for the E5-1630 v4, again a 0.8% gap. Single-core R20 shows 386 against 383, another 0.8% lead. In Cinebench R23, the multicore scores are 6517 for the D-1531 and 6464 for the E5-1630 v4 (0.8% delta), while single-core is 920 versus 912 (0.9% delta).
The pattern is unmistakable: the D-1531 holds a steady 0.8–1.1% advantage across all tests, regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. This is remarkable given the E5-1630 v4's much higher clock speeds. The D-1531's extra 2 cores and 4 threads compensate for its lower frequencies, while its slightly better single-core scores suggest the per-core efficiency is comparable or better despite the clock disadvantage.
The overall average benchmark scores reflect the same story: 1885 for the D-1531 versus 1869 for the E5-1630 v4. The D-1531 sits at the 43rd percentile of all CPUs, while the E5-1630 v4 is at the 42nd percentile. Nearest rivals for the D-1531 include the Intel Core i7-4940MX (delta -0.1%) and the Intel Xeon E3-1270L v4 (delta 0.1%), while the E5-1630 v4's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-9350K (delta 0.1%) and the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 (delta -0.5%).
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. Core count: 6 versus 4. Threads: 12 versus 8. Base clock: 2.20 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. Boost clock: 2.70 GHz versus 4.00 GHz. TDP: 35 W versus 140 W — a fourfold difference that heavily favors the D-1531 for thermal-constrained environments.
Memory channels: dual-channel on the D-1531, quad-channel on the E5-1630 v4. Memory bandwidth: the E5-1630 v4 is rated at 76.8 GB/s, while the D-1531 has no listed bandwidth figure. Memory types: DDR3 and DDR4 for the D-1531, DDR4 only for the E5-1630 v4. PCIe lanes: 24 versus 40, both Gen 3.
L3 cache: 1.5 MB per core on the D-1531 versus 10 MB shared on the E5-1630 v4. Transistors: 3,200 million versus 3,400 million. Socket: BGA 1667 versus Socket 2011-3. Market segment: Server/Workstation versus Desktop. Production status: Active versus End-of-life. Release date: October 2015 versus June 2016. Launch MSRP: $348 for the D-1531, $406 for the E5-1630 v4. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Part numbers are SR2DG and SR2PF, respectively.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?
A: The Intel Xeon D-1531 wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore it scores 656 versus 651 (0.8% delta), in R20 multicore 2737 versus 2714 (0.8% delta), and in R23 multicore 6517 versus 6464 (0.8% delta).
Q: Does the E5-1630 v4 have any benchmark wins?
A: No. The head-to-head data shows the D-1531 winning all six tests, with zero wins for the E5-1630 v4. The closest margin is 0.8% in R15 multicore and R20 multicore, while the widest is 1.1% in R15 singlecore.
Q: How do the memory systems compare?
A: The E5-1630 v4 supports quad-channel DDR4 with a rated bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while the D-1531 supports dual-channel DDR3 and DDR4 with no listed bandwidth figure. The E5-1630 v4 also has more PCIe lanes: 40 versus 24, both Gen 3.
Q: What is the TDP difference?
A: The D-1531 has a TDP of 35 W, while the E5-1630 v4 has a TDP of 140 W. This is a fourfold difference, making the D-1531 far more suitable for power-constrained or densely packed server deployments.
Q: Which processor is still in production?
A: The D-1531 is listed as Active in production status, while the E5-1630 v4 is End-of-life. The D-1531 launched in October 2015, and the E5-1630 v4 launched in June 2016.
Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?
A: The D-1531 has an average benchmark score of 1885, placing it at the 43rd percentile of all CPUs. The E5-1630 v4 averages 1869, at the 42nd percentile. The D-1531's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-4940MX at a -0.1% delta, while the E5-1630 v4's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 at a -0.5% delta.
Where Each One Wins
The D-1531 wins everywhere the Cinebench suite measures. It takes all six head-to-head benchmarks, including both single-core and multi-core tests across R15, R20, and R23. For users whose workloads resemble Cinebench — rendering, simulation, or other multi-threaded compute tasks — the D-1531 is the better performer, albeit by a slim margin. Its 35 W TDP and active production status make it the obvious choice for new server builds where power efficiency and longevity are priorities. The dual-channel DDR3/DDR4 support adds flexibility for systems reusing existing memory.
The E5-1630 v4 wins on platform capabilities that the benchmarks do not capture. Its quad-channel memory bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth is a substantial advantage for memory-bound workloads like large database operations or high-performance computing tasks that stream data. The 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, compared to 24 on the D-1531, allow for more expansion cards, NVMe drives, or GPU accelerators. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.70 GHz and 4.00 GHz) may also provide lower latency in lightly threaded, clock-sensitive applications, even though the Cinebench single-core results do not show an advantage.
The socket difference dictates the platform choice. The D-1531's BGA 1667 is soldered, meaning it comes attached to a board — typical of dense, low-power server designs. The E5-1630 v4's Socket 2011-3 is a conventional LGA socket found in workstation motherboards, offering upgradeability and standard cooling solutions. The E5-1630 v4's Desktop market segment and end-of-life status suggest it is better suited to existing Socket 2011-3 systems being refreshed, where the quad-channel memory and PCIe capacity are already built in.
The data-driven verdict is clear: the D-1531 is the superior performer in every measured benchmark, and its efficiency and active status make it the forward-looking choice. The E5-1630 v4 is the better fit only for specific platform needs — quad-channel memory bandwidth, 40 PCIe lanes, and a socket that matches existing workstation infrastructure. For users starting fresh, the D-1531 wins on performance and practicality. For users upgrading an existing Socket 2011-3 system, the E5-1630 v4 offers platform continuity despite its benchmark deficit.