Intel Xeon D-1541 vs Intel Xeon E5-2630 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a consistent, if narrow, advantage for the Intel Xeon E5-2630 v3 across every Cinebench generation tested. The E5-2630 v3 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with the Xeon D-1541 trailing by margins between 2.4% and 2.5% in each test.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E5-2630 v3 scores 873 against 852 for the D-1541, a 2.5% lead. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 123 versus 120, again a 2.5% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore scores are 3640 for the E5-2630 v3 and 3554 for the D-1541, a 2.4% difference. The R20 single-core test shows 513 against 501, also 2.4%. In Cinebench R23, the multicore result is 8668 versus 8463 (2.4% gap), and single-core is 1223 versus 1194 (2.4% gap).

The consistency of these margins is notable. Across six different workloads spanning three Cinebench versions, the delta never moves outside a narrow band of 2.4% to 2.5%. This suggests the performance relationship between the two processors is stable regardless of workload intensity or rendering complexity. Neither chip has a meaningful advantage in any specific test category; the E5-2630 v3 is simply a few percent quicker everywhere.

Looking at the broader context, the E5-2630 v3 has a percentile rank of 49 among all CPUs, while the D-1541 sits at 48. The average benchmark score for the E5-2630 v3 is 2507, compared to 2447 for the D-1541, a difference of 60 points. The E5-2630 v3's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2643 v3 at 2511 (a 0.2% gap in favor of the rival) and the Intel E-2144G at 2514 (0.3% gap). The Intel Core i5-1155G7 trails at 2496, which is 0.4% behind the E5-2630 v3, and the Intel Core i5-9500T is at 2493, 0.6% behind.

The D-1541's nearest rivals cluster around its score. The Intel Core i5-10500 matches it almost exactly at 2446, a 0% delta. The Intel Core i3-1125G4 scores 2451, 0.2% ahead, and the Intel Core i5-8600 scores 2454, 0.3% ahead. The Intel Xeon D-1540, a close relative, scores 2467, which is 0.8% ahead of the D-1541.

These rival placements clarify the positioning of both chips. The E5-2630 v3 sits in the middle of a tight cluster of desktop and server processors, while the D-1541 is slightly lower in the same neighborhood. Neither chip is an outlier in its performance class; both occupy the 48th to 49th percentile of all CPUs, which places them in the middle of the overall distribution.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2630 v3 scores 1223 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Xeon D-1541 scores 1194. The E5-2630 v3 leads by 2.4%.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap in Cinebench R20?

A: The E5-2630 v3 scores 3640 in Cinebench R20 multicore, and the D-1541 scores 3554. The gap is 2.4% in favor of the E5-2630 v3.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The E5-2630 v3 has an average benchmark score of 2507, and the D-1541 has an average of 2447. The E5-2630 v3 is ahead by 60 points.

Q: Which chip has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The E5-2630 v3 ranks in the 49th percentile, one point higher than the D-1541, which ranks in the 48th percentile.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the D-1541 wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the E5-2630 v3 winning all six tests, with the D-1541 trailing by 2.4% to 2.5% in each.

Q: How does each chip compare to its nearest rival?

A: The E5-2630 v3 trails its closest rival, the Xeon E5-2643 v3, by 0.2%, while the D-1541 matches the Intel Core i5-10500 exactly at a 0% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel architecture families and manufacturing nodes. The E5-2630 v3 is built on Haswell-EP, using a 22 nm process with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. The D-1541 uses Broadwell-DE, built on a 14 nm process with 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The D-1541 packs more transistors into a smaller die, reflecting the newer manufacturing node.

Both chips have 8 cores and 16 threads, so the core count is identical. The cache structures differ, however. The E5-2630 v3 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 20 MB L3 cache. The D-1541 also has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but its L3 is allocated as 1.5 MB per core rather than a shared pool. With 8 cores, that works out to a total of 12 MB of L3, which is smaller than the E5-2630 v3's 20 MB shared cache.

Memory support is another differentiator. The E5-2630 v3 supports DDR4 memory with a quad-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The D-1541 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, but uses a dual-channel memory bus, and the database does not list a memory bandwidth figure for it. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The E5-2630 v3 provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU, while the D-1541 provides Gen 3 with 24 lanes. The sockets are entirely different: the E5-2630 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3, a large server platform socket, while the D-1541 uses Intel BGA 1667, a soldered ball-grid array design typical of embedded or compact server boards.

Clock speeds favor the E5-2630 v3. It has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The D-1541 runs at 2.10 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. The E5-2630 v3 also has a higher TDP at 85 watts, compared to 45 watts for the D-1541. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Release timing also differs. The E5-2630 v3 was released in September 2014, while the D-1541 came later, in October 2015. The E5-2630 v3 is marked as end-of-life, while the D-1541 is still listed as active production.

The Verdict

The performance data points to a clear, though modest, winner. The E5-2630 v3 outperforms the D-1541 in every recorded benchmark, with margins ranging from 2.4% to 2.5%. Its average benchmark score of 2507 is 60 points higher than the D-1541's 2447, and its 49th percentile rank edges out the D-1541's 48th.

For workloads that depend on raw Cinebench rendering performance, the E5-2630 v3 is the stronger choice. It holds a consistent lead in both single-core and multicore tests across three versions of Cinebench. The higher boost clock of 3.20 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, the larger shared L3 cache of 20 MB versus 12 MB, and the quad-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth all contribute to its edge.

The D-1541 is not without merit, however. Its 45 watt TDP is substantially lower than the 85 watt TDP of the E5-2630 v3, making it attractive for power-constrained or compact deployments. The BGA 1667 socket suggests a soldered, space-efficient design suited to embedded applications. Its support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory adds flexibility in system design.

The choice between these two depends on whether performance or efficiency takes priority. The data shows the E5-2630 v3 as the faster processor by a small but consistent margin, while the D-1541 offers a lower power envelope and a more compact form factor. The E5-2630 v3 is also the older part, released in September 2014 and now end-of-life, whereas the D-1541, released in October 2015, remains active.

The launch MSRP of the E5-2630 v3 is $667, and the launch MSRP of the D-1541 is $581.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E5-2630 v3 | Intel Xeon D-1541 |

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

| Architecture | Haswell-EP | Broadwell-DE |

| Process node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | 3,200 million |

| Die size | 356 mm² | 246 mm² |

| Base clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| TDP | 85 W | 45 W |

| L3 cache | 20 MB (shared) | 1.5 MB per core |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 59.7 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 lanes | Gen 3, 24 lanes |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | Intel BGA 1667 |

| Release date | September 2014 | October 2015 |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Launch MSRP | $667 | $581 |

Where Each One Wins

The E5-2630 v3 wins in every performance category recorded in the database. Its six head-to-head victories span single-core and multicore tests in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The largest margin is 2.5% in both R15 tests, while the remaining four tests show a 2.4% advantage. The higher boost clock of 3.20 GHz gives it an edge in single-threaded workloads, and the larger shared L3 cache plus quad-channel memory bandwidth support its multicore results. The 20 MB shared L3 cache is particularly relevant for workloads that benefit from a large pool of shared cache across all cores.

The D-1541 wins in no recorded benchmark, but its specification profile points to a different set of strengths. Its 45 watt TDP is nearly half that of the E5-2630 v3, which makes it suited to dense, power-sensitive environments. The BGA 1667 socket indicates a soldered design that reduces board space and simplifies thermal management in compact chassis. The 14 nm process node with 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die demonstrates a more modern manufacturing approach, and the support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory gives system builders more options in memory selection. The dual-channel memory bus is narrower than the quad-channel design of the E5-2630 v3, but the lower power draw and active production status make the D-1541 a viable choice for long-term deployments where efficiency and availability matter more than peak performance.

The data does not show any scenario where the D-1541 overcomes the E5-2630 v3 in pure compute throughput. The performance gap is small enough that real-world differences may be minor in many applications, but for consistently faster Cinebench results, the E5-2630 v3 is the pick. For deployments where power consumption, board footprint, or memory flexibility are the primary concerns, the D-1541's specification sheet offers advantages the E5-2630 v3 cannot match.