Intel Xeon D-1587 vs Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 Comparison
Intel Xeon D-1587
Xeon E5-1680 v3
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Xeon D-1587 vs Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark data for these two Intel Xeon processors is unusually one-sided. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon D-1587 wins every single matchup. That includes both multi-core and single-core workloads, across three different Cinebench versions (R15, R20, and R23). The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 records zero wins in the head-to-head comparison.
The margin of victory is remarkably consistent. In the multi-core tests, the D-1587 leads by 2.6% in every generation of Cinebench. In the single-core tests, the lead is 2.5% in R15 and R20, and 2.6% in R23. This uniformity suggests a stable performance advantage that does not scale with workload intensity or thread count. It is not a case where one chip pulls ahead only in heavily threaded tasks; the D-1587 is simply faster across the board.
Breaking it down by workload type, the D-1587's multi-core advantage is the headline. With 16 cores and 32 threads versus the E5-1680 v3's 8 cores and 16 threads, one might expect a much larger gap. Yet the actual delta is only 2.6%. This tells a specific story: the E5-1680 v3's higher clock speeds (3.20 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost versus 1.70 GHz base, 2.30 GHz boost) largely compensate for its halved core count. The D-1587 relies on its doubled thread count to edge ahead, but not by a commanding margin.
Single-core performance is closer still. The D-1587's 2.5% to 2.6% lead in single-threaded tests is notable because the E5-1680 v3 has a much higher boost clock. The database shows the D-1587 winning these tests anyway, which points to architectural efficiency in the Broadwell design despite the lower frequency. The single-core scores are 164 versus 160 in R15, 686 versus 669 in R20, and 1635 versus 1593 in R23.
The average benchmark score reinforces the same picture. The D-1587 averages 3350 across all recorded benchmarks, while the E5-1680 v3 averages 3265. The percentile rankings are close: 54th percentile for the D-1587 versus 53rd for the E5-1680 v3. In practical terms, both chips sit near the middle of the database's CPU population, but the D-1587 holds a consistent, if modest, edge.
One area where the E5-1680 v3 does not win a benchmark but still shows structural advantages is memory bandwidth. The E5-1680 v3 has a quad-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the D-1587 is dual-channel with no bandwidth figure recorded. This does not show up in the Cinebench scores, which are compute-bound rather than memory-bound, but it is relevant for workloads that stress memory throughput. The data cannot confirm a memory performance win because no memory benchmark is in the head-to-head, but the specification gap is clear.
The Verdict
The choice between these two processors depends entirely on the priorities of the buyer, but the recorded benchmarks point in one direction. The Intel Xeon D-1587 wins all six head-to-head tests and has the higher average benchmark score. For anyone selecting purely on measured Cinebench performance, the D-1587 is the better option.
The D-1587 is the pick for multi-threaded server workloads. Its 16 cores and 32 threads give it the raw thread count to handle parallel tasks, and its 2.6% multi-core lead across R15, R20, and R23 confirms it can sustain that advantage. It also has a lower TDP at 65 watts versus 140 watts, making it the more power-efficient choice for dense deployments. Its production status is Active, while the E5-1680 v3 is End-of-life, which matters for long-term availability.
The E5-1680 v3 still has a case for specific buyers. Its unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, something the D-1587 does not offer. Its quad-channel memory bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth is a structural advantage for memory-sensitive applications. And its higher base and boost clocks mean it can feel more responsive in lightly threaded scenarios, even though the recorded single-core benchmarks show the D-1587 slightly ahead. The E5-1680 v3 is also a socketed part (Intel Socket 2011-3), whereas the D-1587 is soldered as an Intel BGA 1667 package, meaning the E5-1680 v3 can be replaced or upgraded independently of the motherboard.
There is no price comparison to make here, as the E5-1680 v3 has no recorded launch MSRP, while the D-1587 lists a launch MSRP of 1549. The benchmark data, however, does not support choosing the E5-1680 v3 on performance grounds alone. It loses every recorded test.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The six head-to-head results are all wins for the Intel Xeon D-1587, and the margins are tight. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the D-1587 scores 1167 against 1137 for the E5-1680 v3, a 2.6% lead. In R15 single-core, the scores are 164 and 160, a 2.5% lead. These are the smallest absolute gaps in the set, but they set the pattern.
Cinebench R20 shows the same margins. Multi-core: 4865 for the D-1587 versus 4741 for the E5-1680 v3, again 2.6%. Single-core: 686 versus 669, again 2.5%. The R20 multi-core test is more demanding than R15, yet the percentage gap does not widen. This suggests the D-1587's advantage is not dependent on the specific workload intensity.
Cinebench R23, the most recent test in the database, repeats the pattern. Multi-core: 11585 versus 11289, a 2.6% lead. Single-core: 1635 versus 1593, a 2.6% lead. The R23 multi-core score difference is 296 points, which is the largest absolute gap in the dataset, but the percentage remains identical to the other multi-core tests.
The most striking observation is the consistency. Every multi-core test shows exactly 2.6% delta, and every single-core test shows 2.5% or 2.6%. This is not a chip that wins by a landslide in one test and barely scrapes by in another. The D-1587's performance advantage over the E5-1680 v3 is uniform across all recorded Cinebench versions.
The nearest rival data provides context for where these chips sit. The D-1587's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 5800U, with an average score of 3369 and a delta of -0.5%, meaning the D-1587 is about half a percent behind that chip. The Intel Core i7-7800X sits at 3333, just 0.5% behind the D-1587. The E5-1680 v3's closest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-1660 v4 at 3264, a 0% delta, followed by three chips at -0.4%. Both processors are clustered tightly among their peers, but the D-1587 sits slightly higher in the average score ranking.
FAQ
Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?
A: The Intel Xeon D-1587 wins all six recorded Cinebench tests. The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 records zero wins.
Q: How large is the performance gap between the two processors?
A: The D-1587 leads by 2.6% in all three multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23) and by 2.5% to 2.6% in the three single-core tests.
Q: Does the E5-1680 v3 have any advantages in the specifications?
A: Yes. The E5-1680 v3 has a quad-channel memory bus with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz, an unlocked multiplier, and a socketed Intel Socket 2011-3 package. The D-1587 is dual-channel, runs at 1.70 GHz base and 2.30 GHz boost, has a locked multiplier, and uses Intel BGA 1667.
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Xeon D-1587 has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 has 8 cores and 16 threads.
Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?
A: The D-1587 has an average benchmark score of 3350. The E5-1680 v3 has an average benchmark score of 3265.
Q: What is the production status of each processor?
A: The Intel Xeon D-1587 is listed as Active. The Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 is listed as End-of-life.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different Intel architectures and process nodes. The Intel Xeon D-1587 is built on Broadwell architecture using a 14 nm process, while the Intel Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process. The D-1587's transistor count is 3,200 million on a die size of 246 mm². The E5-1680 v3 has 2,600 million transistors on a larger die of 356 mm². The newer 14 nm node allows the D-1587 to pack more transistors into a smaller area, which helps explain its lower 65 watt TDP despite having twice the core count.
Cache layouts differ significantly. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache configuration is where they diverge: the D-1587 uses 1.5 MB per core, while the E5-1680 v3 uses a shared 20 MB L3 cache. With 16 cores, the D-1587's per-core L3 allocation totals more on paper, but the E5-1680 v3's shared pool is a single contiguous block that all 8 cores can access. The recorded data does not include a total L3 figure for either chip, so a direct aggregate comparison is not available.
The D-1587 is part of the Broadwell-DE generation and uses the Intel BGA 1667 socket, meaning it is soldered directly to the board. The E5-1680 v3 is from the Haswell-EP generation and uses the socketed Intel Socket 2011-3, which allows for processor replacement. The D-1587 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the E5-1680 v3 supports only DDR4. Both support ECC memory.
PCI Express capabilities also differ. The D-1587 provides Gen 3 with 24 lanes from the CPU, while the E5-1680 v3 provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU. The E5-1680 v3's additional PCIe lanes make it more suitable for systems with many expansion cards or high-bandwidth devices. The D-1587's BGA package and lower TDP position it more toward embedded or space-constrained server designs.
Neither processor includes integrated graphics. Both are marked as Server/Workstation market segments. The D-1587's release date is recorded as 2016-02-23, while the E5-1680 v3's is 2014-09-07, making the D-1587 the newer design by roughly a year and a half. The D-1587's production status is Active, while the E5-1680 v3 is End-of-life.
Specification Differences
The core and thread counts are the most obvious difference. The D-1587 has 16 cores and 32 threads, double the E5-1680 v3's 8 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds go the other direction: the E5-1680 v3 runs at 3.20 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, while the D-1587 runs at 1.70 GHz base and 2.30 GHz boost. The E5-1680 v3's clocks are substantially higher, which offsets much of the D-1587's core advantage in the benchmarks.
Thermal design power differs sharply. The D-1587 is rated at 65 watts TDP, while the E5-1680 v3 is rated at 140 watts. This makes the D-1587 far more power-efficient per core and per thread, and it reflects the 14 nm process advantage. The E5-1680 v3's 22 nm process and higher clocks demand significantly more power.
Memory support shows a split. The D-1587 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 with a dual-channel memory bus. The E5-1680 v3 supports only DDR4 but uses a quad-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. The D-1587 has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. The E5-1680 v3's quad-channel setup is a clear specification advantage for memory-heavy workloads.
The socket and package types are incompatible. The D-1587 uses Intel BGA 1667, a soldered ball-grid array, while the E5-1680 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3, a traditional socket. Both support ECC memory. The D-1587 has 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the E5-1680 v3 has 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.
The multiplier is unlocked on the E5-1680 v3, allowing overclocking, while the D-1587 has a locked multiplier. The D-1587 has a recorded launch MSRP of 1549; the E5-1680 v3 has no launch MSRP recorded. The part numbers differ: SR2M1 for the D-1587 and QFSSSR20H for the E5-1680 v3. The release dates are 2016-02-23 for the D-1587 and 2014-09-07 for the E5-1680 v3.