Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 vs Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 and Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 are two end-of-life server processors that, despite belonging to different architectural generations, deliver nearly identical application performance. The data shows a 6-0 win tally for the Broadwell-based E3-1285L v4 across the Cinebench test suite, yet every victory is either a tie or a margin of 0.1%. The average benchmark scores confirm this parity: the E3-1285L v4 posts 1991, while the E3-1585L v5 posts 1989, a difference of just 0.1%.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the benchmark data is the near-perfect symmetry between the two processors. In Cinebench R15 multicore, both chips score exactly 693 points. The single-core R15 result is likewise identical at 97 points. These ties indicate that the architectural advancements in the Skylake-based E3-1585L v5 do not translate into any measurable performance advantage in this legacy rendering workload.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the separation emerges but remains razor-thin. The E3-1285L v4 scores 2891 in multicore, while the E3-1585L v5 scores 2888, giving the Broadwell part a 0.1% lead. In single-core R20, both processors again match at 407 points. This consistency across versions suggests that the core count and thread count dominate the results, with clock speed differences being too small to alter the outcome.

The Cinebench R23 results mirror the R20 pattern. In multicore, the E3-1285L v4 achieves 6884, edging out the E3-1585L v5’s 6878 by 0.1%. Single-core R23 sees another dead heat at 971 points for both. With all six head-to-head comparisons either tied or within 0.1%, the benchmark data firmly establishes these as equivalent performers for threaded and single-threaded workloads alike.

The nearestRivals data contextualizes this performance level. Both CPUs sit at the 44th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the lower-middle tier of the performance distribution. The E3-1285L v4’s closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X with an average score of 1992, a 0% deltaPct, and the Intel Core i7-7920HQ at 1992 with a -0.1% deltaPct. The E3-1585L v5’s nearest rival list includes the same Ryzen 5 1500X at 1992 (-0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1756B at 1986 (+0.2%). These external comparisons show both Xeons performing within 0.2% of mainstream desktop and embedded parts, reinforcing their mid-pack positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the head-to-head benchmark comparison?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, but the margins are negligible. It ties the E3-1585L v5 in four tests (R15 multicore and single-core, R20 single-core, R23 single-core) and leads by 0.1% in the two multicore R20 and R23 tests.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare between the two Xeons?

A: The E3-1285L v4 has an average benchmark score of 1991, while the E3-1585L v5 scores 1989. This represents a 0.1% difference, with the E3-1285L v4 holding a minimal edge.

Q: Are these processors competitive with modern CPUs?

A: Both processors sit at the 44th percentile among all CPUs. The E3-1285L v4’s nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X, has an average score of 1992, showing these Xeons are within 0.2% of that part’s performance.

Q: What is the difference in their socket requirements?

A: The E3-1285L v4 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the E3-1585L v5 uses Intel BGA 1440. This indicates the former is a socketed processor, while the latter is ball-grid-array, typically soldered to a board.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the E3-1285L v4 and the E3-1585L v5 support ECC memory, consistent with their Server/Workstation market segment.

Q: What are the release dates for these processors?

A: The E3-1285L v4 was released on 2015-06-01, and the E3-1585L v5 was released on 2016-05-30. Both are now end-of-life products.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations from Intel, despite sharing the same 14 nm process node. The E3-1285L v4 is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DT codename, while the E3-1585L v5 uses the Skylake architecture with the Skylake-H codename. This generational gap is visible in the transistor counts: the Skylake part contains 2,300 million transistors versus 1,400 million for the Broadwell part, a 64% increase in transistor count. The die size also grows from 160 mm² to 171 mm².

The most significant architectural difference is the cache hierarchy. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache differs. The E3-1285L v4 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the E3-1585L v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, a 33% increase. This larger cache should theoretically improve hit rates for working sets that fit within the additional 2 MB, though the benchmark data shows no tangible performance benefit.

Integrated graphics also differentiate the two. The E3-1285L v4 features Intel Iris Pro P6300, while the E3-1585L v5 features Iris Pro Graphics P580. Both are integrated graphics solutions, but the Skylake generation typically brings improvements in media processing and execution units. The memory controller differs as well: the E3-1285L v4 supports DDR3 only, while the E3-1585L v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. This dual-format support gives the newer part more flexibility for system builders, though the memory bus remains dual-channel for both.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical at 4 cores and 8 threads, but the clock speeds differ. The E3-1285L v4 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the E3-1585L v5 runs at 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. This gives the Broadwell part a 400 MHz advantage at base and a 100 MHz advantage at boost, which explains its slight edge in multicore benchmarks despite the newer architecture of its rival.

Power consumption is a major differentiator. The E3-1285L v4 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the E3-1585L v5 has a TDP of 45 watts. This 20-watt reduction makes the Skylake part significantly more power-efficient, a key consideration for dense server deployments or compact systems where thermal management is critical.

Memory bandwidth also favors the E3-1585L v5. The Broadwell part delivers 29.9 GB/s, while the Skylake part delivers 34.1 GB/s, a 14% improvement. This bandwidth increase, combined with DDR4 support, suggests better memory-bound performance potential, even if the Cinebench suite does not expose it. The socket types differ entirely: Intel Socket 1150 for the E3-1285L v4 versus Intel BGA 1440 for the E3-1585L v5, meaning they are not interchangeable in any system.

PCIe support is listed as Gen 3 for both, but the E3-1585L v5 specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), while the E3-1285L v4 does not specify lane count. The release dates are separated by nearly a year, with the E3-1285L v4 launching on 2015-06-01 and the E3-1585L v5 on 2016-05-30. Both carry a launch MSRP of $445. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both belong to the Server/Workstation market segment.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear but counterintuitive picture: the older Broadwell part, the E3-1285L v4, is the faster processor in every measured test, albeit by margins so small they are effectively negligible. The 0.1% leads in Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore are within run-to-run variance, and the four exact ties in other tests underscore that these are performance equals in CPU-bound rendering workloads.

For a buyer prioritizing raw compute performance, the E3-1285L v4 is the technical winner. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.40 GHz and 3.80 GHz versus 3.00 GHz and 3.70 GHz) deliver a measurable, if tiny, advantage. The data supports this choice: it wins all six head-to-head comparisons and holds a 0.1% higher average benchmark score.

For a buyer prioritizing power efficiency, the E3-1585L v5 is the superior option. Its 45-watt TDP versus 65 watts represents a 31% reduction in thermal design power, which can translate to lower cooling requirements and denser system configurations. It also offers more modern features: DDR4 memory support, a 14% higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, a larger 8 MB L3 cache, and a newer integrated graphics solution in Iris Pro Graphics P580.

The Socket 1150 vs. BGA 1440 distinction is decisive for system compatibility. The E3-1285L v4 is socketed, allowing for processor upgrades and replacement, while the E3-1585L v5 is ball-grid-array, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard and not field-replaceable. This makes the E3-1285L v4 the more flexible option for a system builder, while the E3-1585L v5 is typically found in pre-integrated boards.

Given the performance parity and identical launch MSRP of $445, the decision reduces to platform requirements and power budgets. The E3-1285L v4 suits those needing a socketed part with the highest possible clocks, while the E3-1585L v5 serves those who prioritize efficiency, newer memory standards, and a more modern integrated GPU. The data does not support a clear performance-based winner; it supports two different use cases with different system constraints.