Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 vs Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 and the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 are both Skylake-based server processors, but they target different physical and thermal environments. The E3-1225 v5 is a socketed, higher-power part for traditional motherboards, while the E3-1505L v5 is a BGA, ultra-low-power chip designed for compact systems. Benchmark data shows a consistent, if narrow, performance edge for the E3-1225 v5 across every test, yet the E3-1505L v5 counters with a dramatically lower power envelope and support for simultaneous multithreading.

Where Each One Wins

The performance split is clear-cut: the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Its victories are consistent but narrow, with margins ranging from 1.3% to 1.4% across both single-core and multi-core workloads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This makes the E3-1225 v5 the choice for workloads where absolute throughput is the priority, even if the gains are modest. Its higher base and boost clocks of 3.30 GHz and 3.70 GHz, respectively, drive these results, benefiting tasks like rapid compilation or single-threaded application logic.

The Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 wins in a different arena: power efficiency and system integration. With a TDP of 25 watts compared to 80 watts for its rival, the E3-1505L v5 is the superior choice for fanless or thermally constrained designs, such as embedded systems or compact network appliances. It also offers 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, a feature the E3-1225 v5 lacks, meaning it can handle more concurrent software threads, even if each individual thread runs slower. For a workload with high parallelism but low per-thread demands, the E3-1505L v5 may deliver more total work per watt.

The E3-1225 v5 also wins on platform flexibility through its Intel Socket 1151, which allows for upgrades and repairs. The E3-1505L v5 is soldered via Intel BGA 1440, making it a permanent fixture of the motherboard. However, the E3-1505L v5 includes a larger transistor count of 2,300 million versus 1,750 million, suggesting a more complex integrated design, though this does not translate into benchmark wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5065 versus 4999 for the E3-1505L v5, a 1.3% advantage. Similar margins appear in R15 (510 vs 503) and R20 (2127 vs 2099).

Q: Does the E3-1505L v5 have any performance advantage?

A: No. The data shows the E3-1225 v5 winning all six head-to-head benchmarks. The E3-1505L v5's advantage lies in its 25-watt TDP and 8 threads, not in raw benchmark scores.

Q: What are the key specifications that differ between the two?

A: The E3-1225 v5 has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and boost of 3.70 GHz, while the E3-1505L v5 runs at 2.00 GHz base and 2.80 GHz boost. The E3-1225 v5 uses Socket 1151, while the E3-1505L v5 uses BGA 1440. The E3-1505L v5 supports 8 threads versus 4, and has a TDP of 25W versus 80W.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The E3-1225 v5 has an average benchmark score of 1465, placing it 1.3% ahead of the E3-1505L v5's 1446. Both share the same 38th percentile ranking among all CPUs.

Q: Are both processors from the same architecture generation?

A: Yes, both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and use the Skylake architecture. The E3-1225 v5 is codenamed Skylake-DT, while the E3-1505L v5 is Skylake-H, but their die size is identical at 122 mm².

Q: Which CPU is better for a low-power server?

A: The E3-1505L v5 is the clear choice for low-power applications. Its 25-watt TDP is less than one-third of the E3-1225 v5's 80-watt rating, making it far easier to cool in a compact chassis.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are a study in consistency. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E3-1225 v5 scores 510 against 503 for the E3-1505L v5, a 1.4% lead. The single-core test in the same suite shows a 72 to 71 victory for the E3-1225 v5, also a 1.4% margin. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test yields 2127 for the E3-1225 v5 versus 2099, a 1.3% difference, while single-core shows 300 versus 296, again a 1.4% edge.

The largest absolute gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the E3-1225 v5 posts 5065 against 4999. That is a 66-point difference, translating to a 1.3% win. The single-core R23 test shows 715 versus 705, a 10-point spread that rounds to a 1.4% advantage. In no test does the E3-1505L v5 close the gap to under 1.3%, and in no test does the E3-1225 v5 extend its lead beyond 1.4%. The pattern is almost mechanical: the E3-1225 v5's higher clocks consistently overcome the E3-1505L v5's extra threads.

For context, the E3-1225 v5's average score of 1465 puts it in a dead heat with the Intel Core i3-7350K, which scores 1462 (a 0.2% difference), and slightly ahead of the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE. The E3-1505L v5's 1446 average places it near the AMD Opteron 6378 and Intel Core i5-7300HQ, both within 0.1% of its score. Neither Xeon strays far from its nearest rivals, reinforcing that both are mid-pack performers in the broader CPU landscape.

Specification Differences

The two Xeons diverge sharply on clock speed and power. The E3-1225 v5 operates at a 3.30 GHz base clock and boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the E3-1505L v5 is limited to a 2.00 GHz base and 2.80 GHz boost. This 1.3 GHz base clock gap is the primary driver of the benchmark results. The TDP difference is even more pronounced: 80 watts for the E3-1225 v5 versus just 25 watts for the E3-1505L v5, a threefold reduction that defines their respective use cases.

Socket compatibility is another major divider. The E3-1225 v5 uses Intel Socket 1151, allowing it to be installed in standard motherboards. The E3-1505L v5 uses Intel BGA 1440, meaning it is permanently soldered to the board, precluding upgrades. Thread counts differ, with the E3-1225 v5 offering 4 threads and the E3-1505L v5 offering 8 threads, despite both having 4 physical cores. The transistor count also differs: 1,750 million for the E3-1225 v5 versus 2,300 million for the E3-1505L v5, though both share a 122 mm² die size.

The production status, release dates, and launch MSRP also differ. The E3-1225 v5 was released on 2015-10-18 with a launch MSRP of $224, while the E3-1505L v5 followed on 2015-10-26 at a launch MSRP of $433. Both are end-of-life products. The part numbers are SR2LJ for the E3-1225 v5 and SR2E0 for the E3-1505L v5. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process and share the Skylake microarchitecture, but they belong to different Skylake variants. The E3-1225 v5 is codenamed Skylake-DT, targeting desktop-style platforms, while the E3-1505L v5 is Skylake-H, designed for high-integration, mobile-style systems. This distinction explains the socket and TDP differences, as Skylake-H parts are typically optimized for power-constrained environments.

The cache hierarchy is identical: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is also the same, with both supporting DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, providing a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both support ECC memory and feature the integrated HD Graphics P530. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU for both.

The key architectural divergence is the thread capability and the underlying design complexity. The E3-1505L v5's support for 8 threads indicates the presence of Hyper-Threading, which the E3-1225 v5 lacks. This is a significant architectural feature for multitasking, even if it does not overcome the clock speed deficit in synthetic benchmarks. The higher transistor count in the E3-1505L v5 likely reflects additional power management or integrated logic for its low-power design, though the die size remains the same at 122 mm².

Both processors are fabricated by Intel and share the same foundry. The market segment for both is listed as Server/Workstation, and both are end-of-life. The E3-1505L v5's lower clocks and power draw make it suitable for passive cooling, while the E3-1225 v5's higher clocks require more robust thermal solutions. The architecture differences ultimately serve different physical design goals rather than raw performance, as the benchmark data shows the E3-1225 v5 holding a narrow but unbroken lead.