Intel Xeon D-1548 vs Intel Xeon D-1557 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1557 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Xeon D-1548 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The Xeon D-1548 has a higher base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 2.60 GHz. The Xeon D-1557 has a base clock of 1500.00 MHz and a boost clock of 2.10 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon D-1557 and the Intel Xeon D-1548 support ECC memory.

Q: What is the process node for both chips?

A: Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and use the Broadwell architecture.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1557 has an average benchmark score of 2282, which is 2.3% higher than the Xeon D-1548's average score of 2231.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: Both the Intel Xeon D-1557 and the Intel Xeon D-1548 have a TDP of 45 watts.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon D-1557 and the Intel Xeon D-1548 are both members of the Broadwell-DE generation, sharing the same 14 nm process node and manufactured by Intel. They both use the Intel BGA 1667 socket and integrate 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The cache hierarchy is identical on a per-core basis: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 1.5 MB of L3 per core.

The key architectural difference lies in the core configuration. The Xeon D-1557 offers 12 cores and 24 threads, a 50% increase in core count over the Xeon D-1548's 8 cores and 16 threads. This extra core count comes at the cost of lower clock speeds: the D-1557 runs at 1500.00 MHz base and 2.10 GHz boost, while the D-1548 runs at 2000.00 MHz base and 2.60 GHz boost. Both processors support DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and both provide PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only). Neither chip has integrated graphics, and both are locked (multiplier unlocked: false). The Xeon D-1557 launched on 2016-02-23, while the Xeon D-1548 launched earlier on 2015-10-31. The launch MSRP for the D-1557 is $694, and for the D-1548 it is $555.

The design trade-off is clear: the D-1557 prioritizes parallel throughput with its additional cores, while the D-1548 emphasizes higher per-thread frequency. Both share the same memory and I/O capabilities, so the choice between them hinges almost entirely on whether the workload favors core count or clock speed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench comparisons between these two processors, and the Intel Xeon D-1557 wins all six. The margins are consistent and narrow, ranging from 2.2% to 2.8%.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the D-1557 scores 795 against the D-1548's 777, a 2.3% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows the D-1557 at 112 versus 109, a 2.8% edge, which is the largest relative margin in the entire comparison. This is notable because the D-1548 has a 500 MHz higher base clock and a 500 MHz higher boost clock, yet the D-1557 still manages to lead in single-threaded performance. The data suggests that the architectural efficiency of the D-1557 compensates for its lower frequency in this workload.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test shows the D-1557 at 3314 against 3239 for the D-1548, again a 2.3% gap. The single-core R20 result is 467 versus 457, a 2.2% difference. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core scores are 7892 for the D-1557 and 7713 for the D-1548, a 2.3% lead. The single-core R23 scores are 1114 and 1089, respectively, once more a 2.3% margin.

The consistency of these deltas is striking. Across five of the six tests, the D-1557 holds a 2.3% advantage; only the R15 single-core test deviates, showing a 2.8% lead. This uniformity suggests that the D-1557's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general property of its design. The additional four cores and eight threads do not translate into a large multi-core victory, which implies that the lower clock speed significantly offsets the core count advantage. The D-1557's multi-core lead over the D-1548 is only 2.3% despite having 50% more cores, indicating that the D-1548's higher frequency keeps it competitive in both single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios.

In the broader context, the D-1557's average benchmark score of 2282 places it at the 47th percentile of all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 (avg score 2283, 0% delta), the Intel Core i3-10305 (avg score 2264, 0.8% delta), and the Intel Core i5-10400H (avg score 2303, -0.9% delta). The D-1548 also sits at the 47th percentile with an average score of 2231, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3 (avg score 2227, 0.2% delta), the Intel Xeon D-1715TER (avg score 2238, -0.3% delta), and the Intel Core i7-8559U (avg score 2225, 0.3% delta). Both processors occupy essentially the same performance tier, despite their different core counts and clock speeds.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The Intel Xeon D-1557 wins every benchmark in the comparison, but its margins are modest: 2.3% in most tests and 2.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core. For workloads that rely heavily on the specific Cinebench render tasks measured here, the D-1557 is the better choice, though the advantage is not transformative.

The Xeon D-1548, with its higher base and boost clocks, is the processor to consider when per-core frequency is the priority. Its 2000.00 MHz base clock and 2.60 GHz boost clock are substantially higher than the D-1557's 1500.00 MHz and 2.10 GHz, and yet the measured single-core performance still favors the D-1557. This is an unusual result, and it suggests that the D-1557's architecture extracts more work per clock cycle in these specific tests.

From a purely quantitative standpoint, the D-1557 is the faster processor in all recorded benchmarks. Its average benchmark score of 2282 exceeds the D-1548's 2231 by 2.3%. Both processors sit at the 47th percentile of all CPUs, meaning neither is a standout performer in the broader market, but within this pairing, the D-1557 is consistently ahead.

The choice depends on workload characteristics. If the application can use 12 cores and 24 threads, the D-1557 offers a slight edge in multi-threaded rendering. If the application is latency-sensitive and benefits from higher clock speeds, the D-1548's frequency advantage might appeal, but the benchmark data does not support that conclusion: the D-1557 wins even the single-core tests. The D-1557 is the recommended pick for users who want the best measured performance in this comparison, while the D-1548 remains a viable alternative for those who prioritize its lower launch MSRP or its higher clock specifications. On the basis of the recorded data alone, the D-1557 is the stronger processor.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Xeon D-1557 and the Intel Xeon D-1548:

• Cores: The D-1557 has 12 cores; the D-1548 has 8 cores.
• Threads: The D-1557 has 24 threads; the D-1548 has 16 threads.
• Base Clock: The D-1557 runs at 1500.00 MHz; the D-1548 runs at 2000.00 MHz.
• Boost Clock: The D-1557 boosts to 2.10 GHz; the D-1548 boosts to 2.60 GHz.
• Release Date: The D-1557 launched on 2016-02-23; the D-1548 launched on 2015-10-31.
• Launch MSRP: The D-1557 has a launch MSRP of $694; the D-1548 has a launch MSRP of $555.
• Part Number: The D-1557 uses the part number SR2M4; the D-1548 uses SR2DJ.

All other recorded specifications are identical: both use the Intel BGA 1667 socket, the Broadwell architecture, a 14 nm process node, 3,200 million transistors, a 246 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 1.5 MB L3 per core, DDR3 and DDR4 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 3 with 24 lanes (CPU only), no integrated graphics, a 45 watt TDP, and an active production status. Both processors are locked (multiplier unlocked: false) and target the Server/Workstation market segment.