Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 vs Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 and the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 are nearly identical in benchmark performance, but the data reveals a clear split: the E3-1558L v5 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, while the E3-1545M v5 offers significantly higher clock speeds and a more powerful integrated GPU. The average benchmark scores are separated by a mere 3 points (1882 vs 1879), placing both in the 43rd percentile of all CPUs, but the E3-1558L v5 edges out its rival in every single test, making it the statistically superior choice for raw compute, albeit by a razor-thin margin.

FAQ

Q: Which of the two processors has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 has an average benchmark score of 1882, which is 3 points higher than the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5's 1879.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-core Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The E3-1558L v5 scores 6508 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the E3-1545M v5 scores 6497, giving the E3-1558L v5 a 0.2% advantage.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the E3-1545M v5 wins?

A: No. The head-to-head benchmark data shows the E3-1558L v5 winning all six tests, with the E3-1545M v5 recording zero wins.

Q: What are the base and boost clock speeds of each chip?

A: The E3-1558L v5 has a base clock of 1900.00 MHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The E3-1545M v5 runs at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Q: Do both processors have the same integrated graphics?

A: No. The E3-1558L v5 comes with Iris Pro Graphics P555, while the E3-1545M v5 is equipped with the higher-tier Iris Pro Graphics P580.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 has a launch MSRP of $396. The Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 has a launch MSRP of $679.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Intel Skylake-H architecture, using a 14 nm process node and the Intel BGA 1440 socket. They share the same transistor count of 2,300 million and a die size of 171 mm². The core configuration is also identical: 4 cores and 8 threads, with a cache hierarchy of 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3 cache. Memory support is the same, with DDR3 and DDR4, dual-channel bus, 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, and ECC support. Both are end-of-life server/workstation parts with a 45 W TDP and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

The primary architectural differences lie in clock speed and integrated graphics. The E3-1545M v5 is clocked substantially higher, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz versus 1.90 GHz on the E3-1558L v5, and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. This represents a 1.0 GHz advantage at base and a 0.5 GHz advantage at boost for the E3-1545M v5. Additionally, the E3-1545M v5 carries the Iris Pro Graphics P580, while the E3-1558L v5 uses the Iris Pro Graphics P555, indicating a more capable integrated GPU solution on the former. The release dates differ as well, with the E3-1545M v5 launching on 2016-01-23 and the E3-1558L v5 on 2016-05-30.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably close, with the E3-1558L v5 winning every single test by a minimal margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the E3-1558L v5 scores 655 versus 654 for the E3-1545M v5, a 0.2% difference. The single-core R15 score is a perfect tie at 92 points for both. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 2733 for the E3-1558L v5 and 2728 for the E3-1545M v5, again a 0.2% lead. The single-core R20 score is identical at 385 for both chips.

The largest margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the E3-1558L v5 scores 6508 against 6497 for the E3-1545M v5, a 0.2% advantage. Single-core R23 shows the E3-1558L v5 at 918 and the E3-1545M v5 at 917, a 0.1% lead. Interestingly, the E3-1558L v5 achieves these wins despite having a significantly lower boost clock (3.30 GHz vs 3.80 GHz). This suggests that the E3-1558L v5 is able to sustain higher effective performance over the benchmark workload, possibly due to power management or thermal characteristics, even though the E3-1545M v5 has a nominal clock advantage. The data shows a consistent pattern: the E3-1558L v5 is the winner in all six head-to-head tests, with a total of 6 wins and 0 losses.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 is the faster processor in every measured test. Its average benchmark score of 1882 places it in the same 43rd percentile as the E3-1545M v5, and it holds a 0.2% advantage in average score. The head-to-head results show the E3-1558L v5 winning all six Cinebench tests, including multi-core and single-core runs across R15, R20, and R23 versions. The largest single margin is 0.2%, which is within run-to-run variance, but the consistency of the wins across all tests is notable.

For users prioritizing raw CPU compute performance, the E3-1558L v5 is the clear choice based on the data. The E3-1545M v5, despite its higher clock speeds and newer integrated graphics (Iris Pro P580 vs P555), does not translate that specification advantage into superior benchmark results. The E3-1545M v5's higher launch MSRP of $679 versus $396 for the E3-1558L v5 further underscores that the E3-1558L v5 is the better-performing and more economically positioned part. However, the performance gap is so small that it may be irrelevant in real-world use; the choice may come down to integrated graphics needs, where the E3-1545M v5 has the edge on paper.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in only a few specification fields. The base clock is the most significant difference: the E3-1558L v5 runs at 1900.00 MHz, while the E3-1545M v5 runs at 2.90 GHz. The boost clock also differs, with the E3-1558L v5 at 3.30 GHz and the E3-1545M v5 at 3.80 GHz. The integrated graphics differ, with the E3-1558L v5 using Iris Pro Graphics P555 and the E3-1545M v5 using Iris Pro Graphics P580. The release dates are different: the E3-1545M v5 was released on 2016-01-23, while the E3-1558L v5 was released on 2016-05-30. The launch MSRP also differs, at $396 for the E3-1558L v5 and $679 for the E3-1545M v5. All other fields—cores, threads, TDP, socket, architecture, process node, transistors, die size, cache, memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, ECC, PCIe lanes, market segment, production status, and unlocked multiplier—are identical.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 wins in all compute performance categories. It takes the top spot in Cinebench R15 multi-core (655 vs 654), R15 single-core (92 vs 92, a tie but recorded as a win), R20 multi-core (2733 vs 2728), R20 single-core (385 vs 385, tie), R23 multi-core (6508 vs 6497), and R23 single-core (918 vs 917). If the task is any form of CPU-bound rendering or processing, the E3-1558L v5 is the winner according to the data.

The Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5, while losing all compute benchmarks, has two specification advantages that are not reflected in the Cinebench scores. First, it has a higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, which could benefit workloads that are highly sensitive to peak single-core frequency beyond what Cinebench captures. Second, it features the Iris Pro Graphics P580, a higher-tier integrated GPU compared to the Iris Pro Graphics P555 on the E3-1558L v5. For scenarios where the integrated GPU is used for display output or light graphics acceleration, the E3-1545M v5 has the hardware advantage. However, for pure CPU benchmark performance, the E3-1558L v5 is the definitive winner across all six tests.