Core i7-8557U vs Xeon E5-1620 v4

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i7-8557U vs Xeon E5-1620 v4 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-8557U vs Xeon E5-1620 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-8557U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 140W, a 139W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1620 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,309 vs 7,338).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-1620 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,166 MSRP, while Core i7-8557U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌13900% higher power demand at 140W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1620 v4 better than Core i7-8557U?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8557U is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1620 v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1620 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E5-1620 v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1620 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,166 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-8557U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8557U vs Xeon E5-1620 v4 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-8557U

The Core i7-8557U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,309 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-1620 v4

The Xeon E5-1620 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,338 points. Launch price was $294.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-8557U and Xeon E5-1620 v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-8557U versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v4 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-8557U (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-8557U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8557U scores 7,309 against the Xeon E5-1620 v4's 7,338 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-1620 v4. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i7-8557U vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v4.

Feature	Core i7-8557U	Xeon E5-1620 v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+18%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	3.5 GHz+106%
L3 Cache	8 MB	10 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	7,309	7,338

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8557U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.