CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1587 and Intel Xeon E-2236 are both server/workstation processors, but they represent two very different design philosophies from Intel. The D-1587 is a 16-core, 32-thread Broadwell-DE part built for high-density, low-power systems, while the E-2236 is a 6-core, 12-thread Coffee Lake-S WS chip aimed at mainstream single-socket workstations. Benchmark data shows a surprisingly close contest: across six Cinebench tests, the E-2236 wins all of them, but by a razor-thin margin of only 1.7% to 1.8%. This makes the choice between them less about raw performance and more about platform, power, and feature trade-offs.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1587 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2236 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer than half the cores, the E-2236 still manages to win every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: How do their clock speeds compare?

A: The Xeon D-1587 has a base clock of 1700.00 MHz and a boost clock of 2.30 GHz. The Xeon E-2236 operates at a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boosts up to 4.80 GHz. The E-2236's significantly higher clocks explain how it keeps pace with a chip that has 10 more cores.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) difference?

A: The Xeon D-1587 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Xeon E-2236 has a TDP of 80 watts. This makes the D-1587 more power-efficient per watt, though the E-2236 delivers more performance per core in the benchmarks.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both the Intel Xeon D-1587 and the Intel Xeon E-2236 support ECC memory, making them suitable for reliability-focused server and workstation tasks. The D-1587 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the E-2236 supports DDR4 only.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each CPU?

A: The Xeon D-1587 uses Intel BGA 1667, which means it is soldered to the motherboard. The Xeon E-2236 uses Intel Socket 1151, a standard LGA socket that allows for easy CPU replacement or upgrades.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Xeon E-2236 has an average benchmark score of 3410, placing it at the 54th percentile of all CPUs. The Xeon D-1587 has an average score of 3350, also at the 54th percentile. The E-2236 holds a slim lead of about 1.8% in average score.

Architecture Differences

The two processors stem from different Intel microarchitectures and manufacturing eras, though both are built on the same 14 nm process node. The Xeon D-1587 is based on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE generation, which was designed for dense, low-power networking and storage appliances. Its die size is 246 mm² and it packs 3,200 million transistors. In contrast, the Xeon E-2236 uses the Coffee Lake architecture, from the Xeon E-2200 series, with a smaller die size of 154 mm² and no listed transistor count. Coffee Lake-S WS is a workstation variant of the mainstream desktop architecture.

Cache layouts differ significantly between the two. The Xeon D-1587 allocates 1.5 MB of L3 cache per core, which for its 16 cores totals a large distributed pool, though the exact total is not specified. The Xeon E-2236 has a shared 12 MB L3 cache across all six cores, which is a more conventional desktop-style arrangement. Both share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache sizes.

Memory support is another key divergence. The Xeon D-1587 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, offering flexibility for older or newer server platforms. The Xeon E-2236 supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, but it lists a specific memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, a figure not provided for the D-1587. PCIe capabilities also differ: the D-1587 has 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the E-2236 has only 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

The Xeon E-2236 includes integrated UHD Graphics P630, while the Xeon D-1587 has no integrated graphics. This makes the E-2236 a more self-contained option for workstations that do not need a discrete GPU. The D-1587 is marked as Active in production status, while the E-2236 is End-of-life, which is a consideration for long-term availability.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Xeon E-2236 as the better performer in every benchmark test, making it the clear choice for workloads that prioritize speed per thread and overall Cinebench scores. Its wins range from 1.7% to 1.8% across all six tests, which is a consistent, if modest, margin. With a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost of 4.80 GHz, it offers much higher clock speeds than the D-1587's 1700.00 MHz base and 2.30 GHz boost, which translates directly into better single-core and multi-core results despite having only 6 cores versus 16.

However, the Xeon D-1587 is not without its merits. It has a lower TDP of 65 watts versus 80 watts, supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, and offers more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16). Its higher core count of 16 may appeal to workloads that scale with thread count, though the benchmark results show the E-2236 still wins in multi-core Cinebench tests. The D-1587 also remains in Active production status, whereas the E-2236 is End-of-life.

For a builder selecting between these two today, the E-2236 offers superior benchmark performance, integrated graphics, and a standard socket for easier servicing. The D-1587 makes sense only if the specific platform requirements, BGA 1667, lower power envelope, or DDR3 support, are non-negotiable. Given the benchmark sweep, the E-2236 is the practical recommendation for most server and workstation applications.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon D-1587 | Intel Xeon E-2236 |

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

| Cores | 16 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1700.00 MHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.30 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 80 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1667 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Broadwell | Coffee Lake-S WS |

| Generation | Xeon D (Broadwell-DE) | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 246 mm² | 154 mm² |

| Transistors | 3,200 million | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 1.5 MB (per core) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 42.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 24 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics P630 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Launch MSRP | 1549 | $284 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent: the Intel Xeon E-2236 wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins that barely move between 1.7% and 1.8%. In the multi-core tests, the E-2236 scores 1188 in Cinebench R15 versus the D-1587's 1167, a 1.8% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the E-2236 scores 4952 against 4865, again a 1.8% difference. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows 11792 for the E-2236 and 11585 for the D-1587, maintaining the same 1.8% gap.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the E-2236 scores 167 versus 164 for the D-1587, a 1.8% win. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 698 against 686, a 1.7% margin. The Cinebench R23 single-core test has the E-2236 at 1664 and the D-1587 at 1635, again a 1.7% difference.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this narrative: the E-2236 averages 3410, while the D-1587 averages 3350. In the nearest rivals comparison, the D-1587 sits within 1.3% of chips like the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7530U and the Intel Core i5-11400T. The E-2236 is exactly matched by the Intel Xeon E-2146G (0% delta) and is just 0.5% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 7530U.

These numbers tell a clear story: the E-2236's high clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 4.80 GHz boost) compensate entirely for its lower core count, allowing it to beat a 16-core processor in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The D-1587's 16 cores and 32 threads do not translate into a multi-core advantage in Cinebench, likely due to the much lower 1700.00 MHz base clock and older Broadwell architecture.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Xeon E-2236 Wins: The E-2236 is the benchmark champion, winning every single test in the head-to-head comparison. This makes it the preferred choice for any workload that depends on Cinebench scores, which typically correlate with general CPU rendering, video encoding, and 3D modeling tasks. Its higher clock speeds also give it an edge in single-threaded applications, where it leads by 1.7% to 1.8% across R15, R20, and R23. The integrated UHD Graphics P630 means it can run a display output without a discrete GPU, a practical advantage for basic workstation setups. Its standard Socket 1151 makes it easier to install and upgrade compared to the BGA 1667 soldered D-1587.

Intel Xeon D-1587 Wins: The D-1587 does not win any benchmark tests, but it has platform-level advantages that matter in specific contexts. Its 65-watt TDP is 15 watts lower than the E-2236's 80-watt TDP, making it more suitable for power-constrained or passively cooled systems. It supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering flexibility when reusing older memory modules. Its 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more expansion bandwidth than the E-2236's 16 lanes, which could benefit systems with multiple NVMe drives or network cards. The D-1587 is also listed as Active in production, while the E-2236 is End-of-life, potentially affecting long-term supply and support. For a dense, low-power server appliance where benchmark margins of less than 2% are irrelevant, the D-1587's feature set makes it the logical pick.