Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 vs Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 and the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread server processors from Intel, but they are built for different platforms. The E3-1285 v4 is a socketed Broadwell part with a 95 W TDP, while the E3-1545M v5 is a soldered Skylake part with a 45 W TDP. Benchmark results show the E3-1285 v4 winning every recorded Cinebench test, though by margins of 1.1% to 1.6%. The E3-1545M v5 counters with a larger L3 cache, dual memory support, and a much lower power draw.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz. Both share a boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Q: How do their Cinebench R23 multi-core scores compare?

A: The E3-1285 v4 scores 6596, the E3-1545M v5 scores 6497, a 1.5% advantage for the E3-1285 v4.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The E3-1545M v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the E3-1285 v4 supports only DDR3.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The E3-1285 v4 has a TDP of 95 W, the E3-1545M v5 has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: Which has a larger L3 cache?

A: The E3-1545M v5 has 8 MB shared L3, the E3-1285 v4 has 6 MB shared L3.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process and share the same core and thread counts: 4 cores and 8 threads. The L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively. The differences begin with the underlying architecture. The E3-1285 v4 uses the Broadwell architecture with the Broadwell-DT codename, while the E3-1545M v5 uses the Skylake architecture with the Skylake-H codename. This architectural split is reflected in their sockets: the E3-1285 v4 fits into Intel Socket 1150, whereas the E3-1545M v5 uses the soldered Intel BGA 1440 package.

The die sizes also differ. The E3-1285 v4 measures 182 mm², while the E3-1545M v5 is slightly smaller at 171 mm². The E3-1545M v5 lists a transistor count of 2,300 million; the E3-1285 v4 does not have a recorded transistor count. The L3 cache is larger on the E3-1545M v5 at 8 MB shared, compared to 6 MB shared on the E3-1285 v4.

Memory support is another clear split. The E3-1285 v4 supports only DDR3, while the E3-1545M v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the E3-1545M v5 has a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s for the E3-1285 v4. Integrated graphics differ as well: the E3-1285 v4 carries Intel Iris Pro P6300, while the E3-1545M v5 has Iris Pro Graphics P580. Both support ECC memory and offer PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The release dates are separated by about eight months. The E3-1285 v4 launched on 2015-06-01, and the E3-1545M v5 followed on 2016-01-23. Both are now end-of-life products. The base clock is higher on the E3-1285 v4 at 3.50 GHz versus 2.90 GHz, but the boost clock is identical at 3.80 GHz. The TDP difference is substantial: 95 W for the E3-1285 v4 and 45 W for the E3-1545M v5.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded Cinebench results show a consistent, though narrow, lead for the E3-1285 v4 across all six tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E3-1285 v4 scores 664 against 654 for the E3-1545M v5, a 1.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test is closer: 93 versus 92, a 1.1% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 2770 versus 2728, again a 1.5% gap, and the single-core result is 391 versus 385, a 1.6% lead. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 6596 versus 6497, a 1.5% difference, and the single-core score is 931 versus 917, also 1.5%. The E3-1285 v4 wins all six head-to-head matchups.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this picture. The E3-1285 v4 has an average score of 1908, while the E3-1545M v5 averages 1879. Both processors sit at the 43rd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar performance tier. Their nearest rivals confirm this. The E3-1285 v4 is within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE (1910) and 0.2% below the Intel Xeon E-2314 (1911). The E3-1545M v5 is 0.1% below the Intel Processor U300 (1881) and 0.2% below the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 (1882). The performance difference between the two Xeons is small enough that they land in the same competitive bracket.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1285 v4 is the faster processor in every recorded Cinebench test. Its lead ranges from 1.1% to 1.6%, which is consistent across single-core and multi-core workloads. For users who prioritize raw compute performance and are building on a socketed platform, the E3-1285 v4 is the better choice. Its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz likely contributes to this edge, even though the E3-1545M v5 has a larger L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth.

However, the E3-1545M v5 offers compelling advantages in other areas. Its 45 W TDP is less than half that of the E3-1285 v4, making it suitable for power-constrained or compact systems. It also supports DDR4 memory, which can be a requirement for newer platforms, and its 8 MB L3 cache is larger. The E3-1545M v5 is a soldered BGA part, so it is intended for embedded or mobile designs rather than user-upgradable desktops. For those who need a low-power, memory-flexible Xeon and can accept a small performance deficit, the E3-1545M v5 is the appropriate pick.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Base clock: 3.50 GHz (E3-1285 v4) vs 2.90 GHz (E3-1545M v5)
• TDP: 95 W vs 45 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1150 vs Intel BGA 1440
• Architecture: Broadwell vs Skylake
• Codename: Broadwell-DT vs Skylake-H
• Die size: 182 mm² vs 171 mm²
• Transistors: Not specified vs 2,300 million
• L3 cache: 6 MB shared vs 8 MB shared
• Memory support: DDR3 vs DDR3, DDR4
• Memory bandwidth: 29.9 GB/s vs 34.1 GB/s
• Integrated graphics: Intel Iris Pro P6300 vs Iris Pro Graphics P580
• Release date: 2015-06-01 vs 2016-01-23
• Launch MSRP: $556 vs $679
• Part number: SR2CX vs SR2QU
• Average benchmark score: 1908 vs 1879

Where Each One Wins

The E3-1285 v4 wins every recorded Cinebench benchmark, taking all six head-to-head matchups. Its largest margin is 1.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core, and its smallest is 1.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core. This makes it the clear performance leader in the database's measured workloads.

The E3-1545M v5 wins on power efficiency, with a 45 W TDP compared to 95 W. It also offers dual memory support (DDR3 and DDR4) versus DDR3-only, a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s, and a larger 8 MB L3 cache. Its later release date and smaller die size are additional differentiators. For applications where low power consumption, memory flexibility, or a compact BGA form factor matter more than a few percentage points of Cinebench performance, the E3-1545M v5 is the stronger candidate.