CPU Comparison
Intel Xeon D-1540
Xeon D-1541
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon D-1540 vs Intel Xeon D-1541
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The benchmark data paints a consistent picture: the Intel Xeon D-1540 edges out the Intel Xeon D-1541 across every single Cinebench workload tested. The margin is uniform, with the D-1540 leading by 0.8% in all six head-to-head comparisons. While that might sound negligible on paper, the consistency is notable, there is not a single test where the D-1541 manages to pull ahead.
In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the D-1540 scores 859 against the D-1541’s 852. The single-core test tells the same story: 121 versus 120. Moving to Cinebench R20, the D-1540 posts 3583 in multi-core and 505 in single-core, while the D-1541 trails at 3554 and 501, respectively. The most demanding workload, Cinebench R23, shows the D-1540 at 8531 multi-core and 1204 single-core, compared to 8463 and 1194 for the D-1541.
The broader context reinforces how close these two processors are. The D-1540’s average benchmark score sits at 2467, while the D-1541’s is 2447, a difference of about 0.8%, which matches the per-test deltas exactly. Both land in the 48th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy essentially the same performance tier. For perspective, the D-1540’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-12100TE (average score 2475, -0.3% delta) and the Intel Core i5-8600 (2454, +0.5% delta). The D-1541, meanwhile, sits directly against the Intel Core i5-10500 (2446, 0% delta) and the Intel Core i3-1125G4 (2451, -0.2% delta).
The takeaway is straightforward: these are near-identical performers. The D-1540 wins every benchmark, but the margins are so slim that they fall well within run-to-run variance. If you are choosing purely on benchmark scores, the D-1540 has the edge, but it is a razor-thin advantage.
Where Each One Wins
The D-1540 wins in every measured category, but the practical significance depends on the workload. In multi-threaded applications, the kind of heavy, parallel workloads these server-class chips are designed for, the D-1540’s Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 8531 versus 8463 gives it a 0.8% lead. That advantage carries over to Cinebench R20 multi-core (3583 vs 3554) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (859 vs 852). For rendering, compilation, or other fully-threaded tasks, the D-1540 is technically faster, though the difference is unlikely to be perceptible in real-world use.
In single-threaded workloads, the story is identical. The D-1540 scores 1204 in Cinebench R23 single-core, 505 in R20, and 121 in R15. The D-1541 counters with 1194, 501, and 120. Again, the D-1540 leads by 0.8% across the board. For lightly-threaded tasks like database queries or web serving, the edge is essentially academic.
Where the D-1541 could be said to “win” is in clock speed on paper, its base clock is 2.10 GHz and boost clock is 2.70 GHz, compared to the D-1540’s 2.00 GHz base and 2.60 GHz boost. Yet the benchmark results do not reflect this theoretical advantage. The D-1540’s slightly higher scores suggest other factors, such as binning or power management behavior, offset the D-1541’s clock advantage. In practice, neither chip holds a meaningful edge in any workload category; the data shows the D-1540 as the nominal winner, but the margin is within noise.
Architecture Differences
Both processors are built on the same fundamental architecture. They are part of Intel’s Xeon D family, using the Broadwell-DE generation on a 14 nm process node. Both pack 8 cores and 16 threads, and both are manufactured by Intel with 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The socket is identical, Intel BGA 1667, and both carry a 45 W TDP.
The cache hierarchy is also identical. Each core gets 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache, with 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core. Memory support matches: both handle DDR3 and DDR4, run on a dual-channel memory bus, and support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is the same as well, with Gen 3 and 24 lanes available from the CPU.
The differences are limited to clock speeds and release timing. The D-1541 has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 2.70 GHz, while the D-1540 runs at 2.00 GHz base and 2.60 GHz boost. That 100 MHz advantage on both ends belongs to the D-1541, which was released later, on 2015-10-31 compared to the D-1540’s 2015-03-08. Despite the later release and higher clocks, the D-1541 does not translate that into superior benchmark results. Both parts share the same part-number family (SR29A for the D-1540, SR2DE for the D-1541), are actively in production, and target the server/workstation segment. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither includes integrated graphics.
The launch MSRP for both is $581. Given the near-identical specifications, the architectural comparison comes down to clock speed versus benchmark outcome, and the data favors the lower-clocked D-1540.
FAQ
Q: Which CPU has a higher benchmark score overall?
A: The Intel Xeon D-1540 has an average benchmark score of 2467, while the Intel Xeon D-1541 scores 2447. The D-1540 leads by 0.8% in every Cinebench test measured.
Q: Do the two CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?
A: Yes. Both the Intel Xeon D-1540 and Intel Xeon D-1541 feature 8 cores and 16 threads.
Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?
A: The Intel Xeon D-1541 has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 2.70 GHz. The Intel Xeon D-1540 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 2.60 GHz.
Q: Is there any difference in memory support or ECC capability?
A: No. Both processors support DDR3 and DDR4 memory, use a dual-channel memory bus, and support ECC memory.
Q: Which CPU was released more recently?
A: The Intel Xeon D-1541 was released on 2015-10-31, while the Intel Xeon D-1540 was released on 2015-03-08. The D-1541 is the later part.
Q: How do these CPUs compare to non-Xeon rivals in their benchmark range?
A: The D-1540’s average score sits within 0.7% of the Intel Core i3-1125G4 (2451) and 0.5% above the Intel Core i5-8600 (2454). The D-1541’s average score matches the Intel Core i5-10500 (2446) exactly.
The Verdict
The data leaves little room for ambiguity: the Intel Xeon D-1540 is the faster processor in every measured benchmark. It wins all six Cinebench comparisons by 0.8%, matching its overall average score advantage of 2467 versus 2447. If the decision rests purely on benchmark results, the D-1540 is the pick.
However, the margins are exceptionally thin. A 0.8% difference in multi-core and single-core workloads is unlikely to translate into noticeable real-world performance gains for most server or workstation tasks. The D-1541 does offer higher base and boost clocks, 2.10 GHz and 2.70 GHz versus 2.00 GHz and 2.60 GHz, but those clocks do not yield superior scores in the available data.
Both CPUs share identical architecture, core counts, cache configurations, memory support, TDP, and launch MSRP of $581. They occupy the same 48th percentile among all CPUs and are active production parts. The D-1541’s later release date might suggest a refinement, but the benchmarks do not support that.
For buyers optimizing strictly for Cinebench performance, the D-1540 is the clear choice. For those who value the slightly higher clock speeds of the D-1541, the data shows no measurable benefit. Given that the D-1540 wins every head-to-head test and holds a higher average score, the verdict is straightforward: the Intel Xeon D-1540 is the better-performing processor, and the D-1541 should only be selected if clock speed matters more than demonstrated benchmark results.