Intel Xeon D-1581 vs Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1581 and Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 are both 14 nm Broadwell server processors, but the recorded data shows they occupy different niches. The D-1581 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons in the database, while the E5-2650 v4 counters with a larger shared L3 cache, quad-channel memory, and more PCIe lanes. The D-1581 is the higher-core-count, lower-power part; the E5-2650 v4 is the platform-expandability part.

Where Each One Wins

The D-1581 wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core, the D-1581 leads by margins between 2.6% and 2.7%. The largest edge is 2.7% in R15 multi-core (1128 vs 1098), R20 multi-core (4702 vs 4579), R23 multi-core (11197 vs 10904), and R23 single-core (1580 vs 1539). The single-core R15 and R20 margins are 2.6% (159 vs 155 and 663 vs 646).

The E5-2650 v4 does not win any of the six recorded head-to-head tests. However, its strengths appear outside Cinebench. It offers quad-channel DDR4 memory with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, while the D-1581 is limited to dual-channel memory. It also provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 24 on the D-1581. For workloads that are memory-bandwidth-bound or require many expansion devices, the E5-2650 v4 platform has the structural advantage even though the Cinebench scores favor the D-1581.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process and share the same 246 mm² die size. The D-1581 uses the Broadwell-DE variant with 3,200 million transistors, while the E5-2650 v4 uses Broadwell-EP with 3,400 million transistors. The D-1581 packs 16 cores and 32 threads; the E5-2650 v4 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The D-1581's base clock is 1800 MHz with a 2.40 GHz boost, while the E5-2650 v4 runs at 2.20 GHz base and 2.90 GHz boost. Despite the lower clocks, the D-1581's additional cores push it ahead in multi-threaded tests.

Cache organization differs significantly. The D-1581 provides 1.5 MB of L3 per core. The E5-2650 v4 has 30 MB of shared L3. The E5's larger shared pool can benefit workloads with shared data access patterns. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Memory support is another split. The D-1581 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration. The E5-2650 v4 supports only DDR4 but in a quad-channel configuration, with a rated memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. The E5 also has more PCIe connectivity: 40 Gen 3 lanes versus 24 on the D-1581. The D-1581's memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database, so the comparison relies on the E5's rated figure.

The sockets differ: the D-1581 uses Intel BGA 1667 (soldered), while the E5-2650 v4 uses Intel Socket 2011-3. The D-1581 has a 65 W TDP, the E5-2650 v4 a 105 W TDP. Both support ECC memory, both lack integrated graphics, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The D-1581 is still in active production; the E5-2650 v4 is end-of-life. The D-1581 launched on 2016-02-23, the E5-2650 v4 on 2016-03-15.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1581 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The E5-2650 v4 has a 2.20 GHz base clock and 2.90 GHz boost, both higher than the D-1581's 1800 MHz base and 2.40 GHz boost.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels?

A: The E5-2650 v4 supports quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth. The D-1581 supports dual-channel DDR3 and DDR4.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The E5-2650 v4 has 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the D-1581 has 24.

Q: Which processor won the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The D-1581 won all six Cinebench comparisons, with margins of 2.6% to 2.7% over the E5-2650 v4.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The E5-2650 v4 has 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The D-1581 has 1.5 MB of L3 per core.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Xeon D-1581 | Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 |

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

| Cores | 16 | 12 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base clock | 1800 MHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 105 W |

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

| Codename | Broadwell-DE | Broadwell-EP |

| Transistors | 3,200 million | 3,400 million |

| L3 cache | 1.5 MB per core | 30 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

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

| Memory bandwidth | Not recorded | 68.3 GB/s |

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

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

| Release date | 2016-02-23 | 2016-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $1166 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The D-1581 wins all six recorded comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the D-1581 scores 1128 against 1098, a 2.7% lead. In R15 single-core, it scores 159 against 155, a 2.6% lead. In R20 multi-core, 4702 against 4579, a 2.7% lead. In R20 single-core, 663 against 646, a 2.6% lead. In R23 multi-core, 11197 against 10904, a 2.7% lead. In R23 single-core, 1580 against 1539, a 2.7% lead.

The consistency of the margin, between 2.6% and 2.7% across all tests, suggests the D-1581's advantage comes from its additional cores in multi-threaded workloads and a slight per-core efficiency edge in single-threaded tests, despite the E5-2650 v4's higher clocks. The E5's 2.90 GHz boost is higher than the D-1581's 2.40 GHz, yet the D-1581 still wins single-core tests. This indicates the D-1581's per-core performance at lower clocks is sufficient to overcome the clock deficit in these Cinebench workloads.

The average benchmark scores in the database reflect the same ordering: the D-1581 averages 3238, the E5-2650 v4 averages 3154. Both sit at the 53rd percentile of all CPUs. The D-1581's average score places it just below the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X at 3249, a gap of only 0.3%. Its other nearest rivals include the Ryzen 7 4800U at 3218 (+0.6%), the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350GE at 3218 (+0.6%), and the Intel Atom P5342 at 3217 (+0.7%). The E5-2650 v4's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U at 3159 (-0.2%), the Ryzen 3 5300GE at 3160 (-0.2%), the Ryzen 5 5560U at 3162 (-0.3%), and the Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 at 3163 (-0.3%).

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split. For compute density and power efficiency, the Intel Xeon D-1581 is the stronger choice. It delivers higher Cinebench scores across the board while drawing a 65 W TDP compared to the E5-2650 v4's 105 W. Its 16 cores and 32 threads give it a multi-threaded edge, and it wins every head-to-head test in the database.

The Intel Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the choice when platform I/O and memory bandwidth matter more than raw Cinebench throughput. Its quad-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache make it better suited to memory-intensive or expansion-heavy server roles. It also has a higher boost clock at 2.90 GHz, though that does not translate into a Cinebench win.

The D-1581 is in active production; the E5-2650 v4 is end-of-life. For new deployments where the D-1581's BGA socket is acceptable, the D-1581 offers better benchmark performance and lower power. For systems that need the E5's memory bandwidth and PCIe capacity, the E5-2650 v4 remains the structural pick despite losing every recorded benchmark comparison. The recorded data shows no scenario where the E5-2650 v4 outperforms the D-1581 in Cinebench, but the E5's platform features are real and measurable.