Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 vs Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 and the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 are both end-of-life server processors, but they represent two very different design philosophies. The recorded data shows a clear sweep in benchmark wins for the E5-2620 v3, yet the margins are remarkably slim. Across all six Cinebench tests, the E5-2620 v3 wins by a narrow 1.1% to 1.6% margin. Both processors sit at the 43rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy the same performance tier in the current landscape, despite their architectural differences. The E5-2620 v3 is a legacy Haswell-EP part built for dual-socket servers, while the E3-1558L v5 is a Skylake-H mobile-derived chip with integrated graphics. The choice between them is less about raw Cinebench output and more about platform requirements, power envelopes, and feature sets.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results indicate that the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 wins every recorded test, but the scale of those wins is tiny. Its largest advantage comes in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where it scores 391 against 385, a 1.6% lead. In the multicore tests, the lead is consistently around 1.3% to 1.4%. The E5-2620 v3 is the better performer in this specific benchmark suite, but the data does not suggest a dramatic performance gap. It wins because its 6 cores and 12 threads provide a structural advantage in threaded workloads, while its higher 2.40 GHz base clock helps in single-threaded tasks, even though its 3.20 GHz boost clock is lower than the E3-1558L v5's 3.30 GHz.

The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5, despite losing all benchmark comparisons, has its own domain of advantage outside of Cinebench. It integrates Iris Pro Graphics P555, which the E5-2620 v3 lacks entirely. The data shows no discrete GPU is required for basic display output on the E3-1558L v5, making it the only viable choice for systems that need a CPU with built-in graphics. It also operates at a 45 W TDP compared to the E5-2620 v3's 85 W TDP, meaning it is the clear winner in power-constrained or thermally constrained environments. The E3-1558L v5 also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, offering more flexibility for existing memory inventories, though at a lower dual-channel bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are separated by two full generations of Intel architecture. The E5-2620 v3 uses the Haswell-EP architecture on a 22 nm process node, fabricated on a 356 mm² die with 2,600 million transistors. It is a large, traditional server chip designed for Intel Socket 2011-3. In contrast, the E3-1558L v5 uses the Skylake-H architecture on a 14 nm process node, with a much smaller 171 mm² die containing 2,300 million transistors. This newer node and smaller die explain the E3-1558L v5's significantly lower power consumption.

The cache configurations also reflect their different roles. The E5-2620 v3 has 6 cores and 12 threads with a shared 15 MB L3 cache, while the E3-1558L v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads with a shared 8 MB L3 cache. Both have the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes: 64 KB and 256 KB respectively. The E5-2620 v3 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, while the E3-1558L v5 supports dual-channel DDR3 or DDR4 with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. PCIe lane counts differ as well: the E5-2620 v3 provides 40 Gen 3 lanes, while the E3-1558L v5 provides only 16 Gen 3 lanes. The E5-2620 v3 has no integrated graphics, while the E3-1558L v5 includes Iris Pro Graphics P555.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for benchmark-focused buyers: the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 is the faster CPU. It wins all six Cinebench comparisons, with a top lead of 1.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core. However, the margin is so small that the E5-2620 v3 cannot be considered a dominant performer. Its advantage is real but narrow, and it comes from having 2 more cores and 4 more threads, along with a higher base clock. If the system being built requires the absolute highest Cinebench scores from these two options, the E5-2620 v3 is the correct pick.

The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 is the correct pick for entirely different reasons. The recorded data shows it has no Cinebench wins, but it has a 45 W TDP, which is nearly half the E5-2620 v3's 85 W TDP. For dense server deployments, fanless designs, or mobile workstations, that power efficiency is paramount. Its integrated Iris Pro Graphics P555 means no separate GPU is needed for display or light acceleration tasks. It also fits into Intel BGA 1440, a soldered form factor, which changes the physical design considerations. The E3-1558L v5 is for systems where power, heat, and integrated graphics matter more than a 1.4% multicore benchmark advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multicore score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 scores 6595, while the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 scores 6508. The E5-2620 v3 leads by 1.3% in this test.

Q: Does the E5-2620 v3 support integrated graphics?

A: No. The database lists no integrated graphics for the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3. The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 includes Iris Pro Graphics P555.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The E5-2620 v3 supports quad-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The E3-1558L v5 supports dual-channel DDR3 and DDR4 with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 has a TDP of 85 W. The Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: In which benchmark does the E5-2620 v3 have its largest winning margin?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the E5-2620 v3 scores 391 versus 385, a lead of 1.6%.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are listed at the 43rd percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows a consistent, if modest, advantage for the Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 across the entire Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the E5-2620 v3 scores 664 against 655, a 1.4% lead. The single-core test in R15 shows 93 versus 92, a 1.1% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore score is 2769 for the E5-2620 v3 and 2733 for the E3-1558L v5, again a 1.3% difference. The R20 single-core test produces the largest delta of the entire comparison: 391 versus 385, which is a 1.6% advantage.

In Cinebench R23, the pattern repeats. The multicore test shows 6595 for the E5-2620 v3 and 6508 for the E3-1558L v5, a 1.3% margin. The single-core test shows 931 versus 918, a 1.4% lead. The data shows that the E5-2620 v3 wins every test, but never by a wide margin. The largest single delta is 1.6%, and the smallest is 1.1%. This suggests that the architectural and core-count differences translate into a small but measurable performance edge, not a generational leap. The E3-1558L v5's newer 14 nm Skylake cores partially compensate for its lower core count, but not enough to take a single benchmark win.

Specification Differences

The specification differences between these two processors are substantial, reflecting their divergent design targets. The Intel Xeon E5-2620 v3 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E3-1558L v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The base clock of the E5-2620 v3 is 2.40 GHz, while the E3-1558L v5 has a base clock of 1900.00 MHz. The boost clock favors the E3-1558L v5, which reaches 3.30 GHz versus the E5-2620 v3's 3.20 GHz.

The TDP is a major differentiator: 85 W for the E5-2620 v3 and 45 W for the E3-1558L v5. The socket types are incompatible: the E5-2620 v3 uses Intel Socket 2011-3, while the E3-1558L v5 uses Intel BGA 1440. The process node is 22 nm for the E5-2620 v3 and 14 nm for the E3-1558L v5. The die sizes are 356 mm² and 171 mm² respectively, with transistor counts of 2,600 million and 2,300 million.

L3 cache is 15 MB shared on the E5-2620 v3 and 8 MB shared on the E3-1558L v5. Memory support differs: the E5-2620 v3 uses only DDR4 in a quad-channel configuration, while the E3-1558L v5 supports DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration. Memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s for the E5-2620 v3 and 34.1 GB/s for the E3-1558L v5. PCIe support is 40 Gen 3 lanes for the E5-2620 v3 and 16 Gen 3 lanes for the E3-1558L v5. The E3-1558L v5 includes integrated Iris Pro Graphics P555, while the E5-2620 v3 has none. The launch MSRP of the E5-2620 v3 is $417, and the launch MSRP of the E3-1558L v5 is $396.