CPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fragmented picture for the Intel Xeon X3440 and AMD A10-6800K. There are no direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons available in the database, meaning no single test pits these two processors against each other in a controlled run. Instead, the comparison must be built from their respective benchmark portfolios and overall average scores, which are extremely close. The Xeon X3440 holds an average benchmark score of 815, while the A10-6800K trails by a negligible margin with an average of 809. This represents a delta of less than 1%, placing both processors in a virtual statistical dead heat.

The Intel chip's performance profile is defined entirely by its Cinebench results. In the multicore tests, the Xeon X3440 demonstrates a clear progression with its thread count. It scores 238 points in Cinebench R15 multicore, 994 points in R20 multicore, and climbs to 2368 points in R23 multicore. This scaling suggests the 8-thread design is well-utilized across these rendering workloads. In single-core tests, the Xeon scores 140 in R20 singlecore and 334 in R23 singlecore. These are modest figures, reflective of its older Nehalem architecture and lower clock speeds. The Xeon's data shows a processor that relies on multi-threading to achieve its results, with the multicore scores being roughly seven times higher than their single-core counterparts in the same benchmark generation.

Conversely, the AMD A10-6800K's benchmark portfolio is restricted to Geekbench tests. Its multicore score is 1140, and its single-core score is 478. The single-core score here is notably higher than the Xeon's R20 single-core score of 140, but direct comparison across different benchmark suites (Cinebench vs. Geekbench) is methodologically unsound. Within its own suite, the A10's multicore advantage over its single-core score is a factor of roughly 2.4, which aligns with its 4-core, 4-thread configuration. The higher clock speeds of the AMD part, listed at 4.10 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost, likely contribute to its superior single-thread performance within the Geekbench metric when compared to the Xeon's 2.53 GHz base and 2.93 GHz boost.

Looking at the nearest rivals for each processor provides additional context for their relative standing. The Xeon X3440's average score of 815 places it 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-L16G7 (816) and 0.2% ahead of both the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 and Intel Core i7-5550U (both at 813). It also trails the Intel Xeon E5540 (820) by 0.7%. The AMD A10-6800K, with its 809 average, is exactly level with the Intel Core i7-870S (809), and sits 0.4% ahead of both the AMD Athlon X4 850 (806) and the Intel Xeon X5482 (805). It falls 0.5% short of the Intel Core i7-5550U (813). These rival clusters show that both processors occupy a similar performance tier, surrounded by a mix of older high-end desktop and entry-level server parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon X3440 has a marginally higher average benchmark score of 815, compared to the AMD A10-6800K's 809. This difference is less than 1%, indicating they perform at nearly identical overall levels.

Q: How do their multi-threaded capabilities compare based on the data?

A: The Intel Xeon X3440 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD A10-6800K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon's Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2368 demonstrates its ability to leverage its additional threads in rendering workloads, whereas the A10's data does not include a comparable test.

Q: Is there a significant difference in their single-thread performance?

A: The AMD A10-6800K has a Geekbench single-core score of 478. The Intel Xeon X3440 has a Cinebench R20 single-core score of 140 and a R23 single-core score of 334. Direct comparison is not possible due to the different benchmark suites used, but the AMD's higher clock speeds suggest a potential advantage in single-threaded tasks.

Q: What is the production status of these two processors?

A: Both the Intel Xeon X3440 and the AMD A10-6800K are listed as "End-of-life" in the data. They are no longer in active production.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD A10-6800K features integrated graphics, specifically the Radeon HD 8670D. The Intel Xeon X3440 has no integrated graphics listed in its specifications.

Q: How does their memory bandwidth compare?

A: The AMD A10-6800K has a significantly higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Intel Xeon X3440 is listed at 21.3 GB/s. Both support dual-channel DDR3 memory.

The Verdict

The data indicates that for a user prioritizing multi-threaded rendering performance, the Intel Xeon X3440 is the stronger choice. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2368, achieved with 8 threads, demonstrates a clear capability in this specific workload type. The Xeon's server/workstation market segment and support for ECC memory also align with professional or server-oriented use cases where stability and error correction are paramount.

For a user focused on single-thread performance and a higher level of integration, the AMD A10-6800K is the preferable option. Its Geekbench single-core score of 478 is significantly higher in absolute terms than the Xeon's single-core Cinebench scores, and its higher clock speeds (4.10 GHz base, 4.40 GHz boost) support this. The inclusion of the Radeon HD 8670D integrated graphics means that a dedicated graphics card is not required for basic display output, making it a more self-contained solution for a desktop build. Its unlocked multiplier also offers overclocking potential, a feature absent from the Xeon.

Ultimately, the overall benchmark averages are too close to separate them on raw performance. The decision rests on workload type and platform features. The Xeon X3440 serves a multi-threaded, server-oriented role, while the A10-6800K is a higher-clocked, desktop-focused processor with integrated graphics. The Xeon X3440 was released on 2009-09-07, while the A10-6800K is a later product from 2013-05-31.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Intel Xeon X3440 has a base clock of 2.53 GHz and a boost clock of 2.93 GHz, whereas the AMD A10-6800K operates at a much higher 4.10 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. The thread counts also differ, with the Xeon supporting 8 threads and the AMD supporting 4 threads. Thermal design power (TDP) is slightly in favor of the Intel part at 95 W, compared to the AMD's 100 W.

The Xeon X3440 uses the Intel Socket 1156, while the A10-6800K uses the AMD Socket FM2. The Xeon supports ECC memory, a feature not available on the A10. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for easier overclocking, while the Intel part is locked. The A10-6800K also includes the Radeon HD 8670D integrated graphics, a feature entirely absent from the Xeon. Their PCIe support differs as well, with the Xeon listed as "Gen 2, 16 Lanes(CPU only)" and the A10 listed simply as "Gen 2". The launch MSRP for the Xeon X3440 was $215, and the launch MSRP for the A10-6800K was $142.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these chips is substantial, reflecting their different design philosophies and release periods. The Intel Xeon X3440 is built on the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, using a 45 nm process node at Intel's foundry. It integrates 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die. Its cache hierarchy is per-core for L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB), with a shared 8 MB L3 cache.

The AMD A10-6800K is based on the Piledriver architecture, under the Richland codename, manufactured on a more advanced 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. This newer process allows it to pack 1,303 million transistors onto a smaller 246 mm² die. Its cache structure is fundamentally different, with a total of 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, and notably, it has no L3 cache at all.

These differences highlight a key strategic divergence. Intel's design focuses on a large shared L3 cache to feed its 8 threads, while AMD's design relies on higher clock speeds and a larger L2 cache to drive performance with only 4 threads. The Xeon's architecture is from the "Xeon (Lynnfield)" generation, while the A10 belongs to the "A10 (Richland)" generation. The memory bandwidth also reflects this, with the AMD part boasting 34.1 GB/s versus the Intel's 21.3 GB/s, a difference that may stem from the newer memory controller in the Piledriver design.