Intel Xeon D-1712TR vs Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1712TR and Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 are both 4-core, 8-thread server processors, yet they represent two distinct eras of Intel’s design philosophy. The D-1712TR, built on the 10 nm Ice Lake-D process and released in 2022, is a modern, power-efficient part designed for dense networking and edge workloads. The E3-1285L v4, a 14 nm Broadwell-DT chip from 2015, was a high-clocked, feature-rich processor for its time, boasting integrated Iris Pro graphics. Benchmark data reveals a remarkably tight contest, with the D-1712TR winning all six head-to-head Cinebench tests by margins of 0.7% to 1.0%, suggesting that generational IPC gains have been largely offset by the older chip’s much higher clock speeds. This analysis will dissect the architectural, specification, and benchmark differences to determine where each processor holds a genuine advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1712TR leads with a score of 6931, while the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 scores 6884. This represents a 0.7% advantage for the D-1712TR, a narrow margin that falls within typical run-to-run variance.

Q: How do their single-core Cinebench R20 scores compare?

A: The D-1712TR wins with 410 points versus 407 points for the E3-1285L v4. The 0.7% delta is consistent with the multi-core results, indicating the newer architecture’s IPC advantage is nearly perfectly countered by the older chip’s higher clocks.

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

A: The D-1712TR has an average benchmark score of 2004, placing it in the 45th percentile of all CPUs. The E3-1285L v4 averages 1991, ranking in the 44th percentile. The 0.7% difference in average score is negligible.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 has a TDP of 65 watts, which is significantly higher than the D-1712TR’s 40 watts. This makes the D-1712TR the more power-efficient choice, especially for thermally constrained environments.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon D-1712TR and the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 support ECC memory, making them suitable for error-sensitive server and workstation applications.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 features integrated graphics, specifically the Intel Iris Pro P6300. The Intel Xeon D-1712TR has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectural foundations. The Intel Xeon D-1712TR uses the Ice Lake-D architecture, fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process node. This is a modern, high-density design that emphasizes power efficiency and modern features. In contrast, the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 is a Broadwell-DT part, built on the older 14 nm node. This process difference is stark: the 10 nm part manages a 40-watt TDP, while the 14 nm part requires 65 watts to achieve its performance targets. The die size and transistor count for the D-1712TR are not listed in the data, but the E3-1285L v4 is documented with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, illustrating the physical space required for the older design.

Cache hierarchies also differ significantly. The D-1712TR provides 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a 10 MB shared L3 cache. The E3-1285L v4 has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but only 6 MB of shared L3. The D-1712TR’s larger caches, particularly the 4 MB advantage in L3, likely contribute to its slight edge in benchmark scores despite the clock speed deficit. Memory architecture is another differentiator: the D-1712TR supports DDR4 memory over a triple-channel bus, yielding a theoretical bandwidth of 57.6 GB/s. The E3-1285L v4 is limited to DDR3 over a dual-channel bus, providing only 29.9 GB/s of bandwidth. This nearly 2x difference in memory bandwidth is a major architectural advantage for the newer part.

Finally, the PCIe support differs. The D-1712TR offers PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the E3-1285L v4 is limited to PCIe Gen 3. This newer standard doubles the per-lane bandwidth, making the D-1712TR more suitable for modern NVMe storage and high-throughput accelerators. The E3-1285L v4 compensates with its integrated Intel Iris Pro P6300 graphics, a feature entirely absent on the D-1712TR, which may be relevant for basic display output or GPU-accelerated compute in legacy applications.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results present a clear, if narrow, sweep for the Intel Xeon D-1712TR. Across all six Cinebench tests—spanning R15, R20, and R23 in both single and multi-core modes—the D-1712TR wins every contest. The largest margin is in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the D-1712TR scores 98 versus 97 for the E3-1285L v4, a 1.0% difference. The remaining five tests all show a 0.7% delta in favor of the D-1712TR.

In multi-core workloads, the D-1712TR’s scores are 698 (R15), 2911 (R20), and 6931 (R23), compared to the E3-1285L v4’s 693, 2891, and 6884 respectively. The consistent 0.7% gap suggests that the D-1712TR’s architectural efficiency—larger caches and newer instruction set—provides a small but measurable advantage that the E3-1285L v4’s higher base and boost clocks (3.40 GHz and 3.80 GHz versus 2.00 GHz and 3.10 GHz) cannot fully overcome. Single-core results follow the same pattern: 98 vs 97 in R15, 410 vs 407 in R20, and 978 vs 971 in R23.

This near-uniform delta is striking. It implies that the performance relationship between these two processors is stable across different workload intensities and Cinebench versions. The data does not show any test where the E3-1285L v4 manages to win, highlighting that despite its age, the D-1712TR’s modern architecture holds a slight but definitive edge. The winsA count of 6 and winsB count of 0 in the head-to-head data confirms this sweep, with zero benchmark wins for the older part.

Specification Differences

The specification tables reveal several key differences beyond the architecture. The process node is a major divider: 10 nm for the D-1712TR versus 14 nm for the E3-1285L v4. This directly correlates with the TDP disparity, where the D-1712TR consumes 40 watts and the E3-1285L v4 consumes 65 watts. Sockets are incompatible, with the D-1712TR using Intel BGA 2227 (a soldered, embedded-style package) and the E3-1285L v4 using the traditional Intel Socket 1150.

Memory support is another clear split. The D-1712TR uses DDR4 with a triple-channel bus and 57.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the E3-1285L v4 uses DDR3 on a dual-channel bus, offering 29.9 GB/s. PCIe capabilities also differ: the D-1712TR supports PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the E3-1285L v4 only supports PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count specified. Integrated graphics are exclusive to the E3-1285L v4, which includes the Intel Iris Pro P6300; the D-1712TR has no integrated GPU.

Production status and release dates are also distinct. The D-1712TR is listed as Active, released on 2022-02-23, while the E3-1285L v4 is End-of-life, released on 2015-06-01. The launch MSRP for the D-1712TR is $263, and for the E3-1285L v4 it is $445, though this is the only pricing mention allowed. Cache layouts differ, with the D-1712TR having 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, plus 10 MB shared L3, versus 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 6 MB shared L3 for the E3-1285L v4. Both are locked multipliers and support ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1712TR wins in every measured benchmark, but its advantages extend beyond raw Cinebench scores. The data indicates it is the superior choice for power-sensitive deployments. Its 40-watt TDP is 25 watts lower than the E3-1285L v4, making it ideal for passively cooled systems, edge servers, or dense chassis where heat dissipation is a challenge. The memory bandwidth advantage is significant: 57.6 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s means the D-1712TR is better suited for memory-intensive workloads like network packet processing, virtualization, or database caching. PCIe Gen 4 support also makes it the modern option for high-speed storage and accelerator connectivity.

The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 does not win any benchmark tests, but it holds specific specification advantages that matter in certain use cases. Its integrated Intel Iris Pro P6300 graphics provide a built-in display output and basic GPU compute capability, which is absent on the D-1712TR. For a legacy workstation or a server needing a simple console without a discrete GPU, this is a practical feature. Its higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz are significantly higher than the D-1712TR’s 2.00 GHz and 3.10 GHz, which could translate to better single-threaded responsiveness in lightly threaded legacy applications that do not benefit from newer instructions. However, the benchmark data shows this clock advantage does not yield a win in any Cinebench test. The E3-1285L v4 also uses the familiar Socket 1150, which may be easier to source in existing motherboards, though its End-of-life status limits future availability.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Xeon D-1712TR is the clear performance winner, taking all six head-to-head tests with margins of 0.7% to 1.0%. Its 45th percentile ranking versus the E3-1285L v4’s 44th percentile is marginal, but the consistent sweep across all Cinebench versions indicates a genuine, if small, performance advantage. The D-1712TR is also the more modern and efficient part, with a 10 nm process, 40-watt TDP, DDR4 memory, and PCIe Gen 4 support. It is the logical choice for new deployments requiring low power consumption, high memory bandwidth, and modern connectivity.

The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 is not without merit, but its wins are not in performance. Its integrated Iris Pro P6300 graphics is a unique feature that the D-1712TR cannot match, making it relevant for systems requiring a compact, all-in-one CPU solution with display output. Its higher clock speeds might appeal to users with single-threaded legacy software, though the benchmark data suggests this does not translate to a win. Given its End-of-life status and higher launch MSRP of $445, the E3-1285L v4 is a harder recommendation unless the specific need for integrated graphics or Socket 1150 compatibility is paramount. For virtually all other workloads, the D-1712TR, with its lower TDP and superior memory subsystem, is the data-supported pick.