AMD A10-7870K vs Intel Xeon W5590 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD A10-7870K wins in Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 420, while the Intel Xeon W5590 scores 404. That is a 3.8% advantage for the AMD part.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon W5590 support more memory bandwidth than the AMD A10-7870K?

A: No. The AMD A10-7870K shows a higher memory bandwidth figure at 34.1 GB/s using dual-channel DDR3, while the Intel Xeon W5590 records 32.0 GB/s via triple-channel DDR3. The AMD part also runs PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, whereas the Xeon is limited to PCIe Gen 2.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon W5590 has an average benchmark score of 986, which is slightly above the AMD A10-7870K's 975. However, the AMD part holds a higher percentile position in the database at 26th percentile versus the Xeon's 27th percentile ranking, meaning the AMD is just below the Xeon despite the raw average difference.

Q: Do both processors have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores. The Intel Xeon W5590 supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the AMD A10-7870K has only 4 threads total.

Q: Which chip includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD A10-7870K, which features Radeon R7 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon W5590 has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory for the Xeon platform.

Q: Is the AMD A10-7870K unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, the AMD A10-7870K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Xeon W5590's multiplier is locked. The AMD also carries a much lower 95 W TDP compared to the Xeon's 130 W.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon W5590 is built on the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Gainestown generation, using a 45 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It packs 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die. The memory controller is triple-channel DDR3, which yields a theoretical memory bandwidth of 32.0 GB/s. The cache layout is per-core: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and a shared 8 MB L3 pool. This is a server and workstation part with ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 2 connectivity. It was released in August 2009 and is now end-of-life.

The AMD A10-7870K uses the Steamroller architecture under the Godaveri codename. It is fabricated on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a much larger transistor count of 2,411 million but a slightly smaller die size of 245 mm². The cache is simpler: 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2, with no L3 cache at all. Memory support is dual-channel DDR3, and the recorded memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s, which is higher than the Xeon's figure. The AMD chip has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes and integrates a Radeon R7 GPU, something entirely absent on the Xeon. It also has an unlocked multiplier and a 95 W TDP, versus the Xeon's 130 W. The A10-7870K targets the desktop segment and was released in May 2015.

The two chips come from different eras and design philosophies. Intel's Nehalem favors high thread counts per core with a large shared L3 cache and ECC for workstation reliability. AMD's Steamroller focuses on higher clocks, a denser process, a larger transistor budget, and an integrated GPU, while dropping ECC and L3 entirely. The process node difference is significant: 45 nm versus 28 nm, and the transistor counts reflect that shift, with AMD nearly 3.3 times the transistor count of Intel despite a smaller die.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records five Cinebench comparisons between these two CPUs, and the AMD A10-7870K wins all of them. The margins are consistent, ranging from 3.6% to 4.0%.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD scores 299 against the Intel's 288, a 3.7% advantage. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 1249 for AMD versus 1204 for Intel, a 3.6% edge. The single-core R20 test gives AMD 176 and Intel 169, which is a 4% lead, the largest margin in the set. Cinebench R23 multicore lands at 2975 for AMD and 2867 for Intel, again a 3.6% difference. Finally, Cinebench R23 single-core has AMD at 420 and Intel at 404, a 3.8% gap.

The pattern is uniform: the AMD A10-7870K leads by roughly 4% in every workload, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded. This is notable because the Intel Xeon W5590 has twice the thread count (8 threads versus 4). The Xeon's Hyper-Threading does not close the gap in these Cinebench runs, suggesting that the AMD part's higher base clock (3.90 GHz versus 3.33 GHz) and boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.60 GHz) outweigh the thread advantage in these specific tests.

The average benchmark score tells a slightly different story. The Intel Xeon W5590 posts an average of 986, while the AMD A10-7870K averages 975. The Xeon also sits at the 27th percentile among all CPUs, versus the AMD's 26th percentile. So while the AMD wins every head-to-head Cinebench test in this database, its overall average score is lower, likely because the database includes a broader set of benchmark types beyond Cinebench. The Intel's nearest rivals include the Core i7-875K at 984 (0.2% delta), the Core i3-4130T at 984 (0.2%), the Xeon X3470 at 983 (0.3%), and the Core i3-4370T at 983 (0.3%). The AMD's nearest rivals are the Core i3-4130 at 975 (0%), the Athlon X4 840 at 975 (0%), the Core i3-4150T at 975 (0%), and the Core i5-5257U at 976 (-0.1%). These rival lists confirm that both chips sit in the same performance class, with the Xeon's average score being just 1.1% higher than the AMD's.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category except core count, which is 4 for both.

The Intel Xeon W5590 has 8 threads, while the AMD A10-7870K has 4 threads. Base clocks differ: 3.33 GHz for Intel, 3.90 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 3.60 GHz for Intel and 4.10 GHz for AMD. TDP is 130 W for the Xeon and 95 W for the AMD. Sockets are completely different: Intel Socket 1366 versus AMD Socket FM2+.

The process node is 45 nm for Intel and 28 nm for AMD. Transistor counts are 731 million versus 2,411 million. Die sizes are 263 mm² versus 245 mm². Cache structures differ: the Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3; the AMD has 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2, with no L3.

Memory support: both use DDR3, but the Intel is triple-channel with 32.0 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD is dual-channel with 34.1 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Intel, not on the AMD. PCIe generation differs: Gen 2 on Intel, Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes on AMD. Integrated graphics exist only on the AMD (Radeon R7). Market segments are server/workstation for Intel and desktop for AMD. Release dates are August 2009 for Intel and May 2015 for AMD. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $1600; the AMD has no recorded launch MSRP. The Intel multiplier is locked, while the AMD is unlocked.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A10-7870K wins every head-to-head Cinebench test in the database, so on pure compute performance as measured by Cinebench, it is the stronger part. It also offers a lower TDP at 95 W versus 130 W, integrated Radeon R7 graphics, an unlocked multiplier, PCIe Gen 3, and higher memory bandwidth at 34.1 GB/s. For a desktop builder who wants a single chip with graphics, overclocking headroom, and lower power draw, the AMD is the clear choice from the recorded data.

The Intel Xeon W5590 wins on average benchmark score (986 versus 975) and holds a slightly higher percentile ranking (27th versus 26th). It also supports ECC memory, has 8 threads versus 4, and uses triple-channel memory, which can matter in memory-sensitive workstation tasks even though the raw bandwidth number is lower. The Xeon's larger shared L3 cache (8 MB versus no L3) may also help in workloads that benefit from a large cache pool. For a workstation or server environment where ECC is required and thread count matters, the Xeon has attributes the AMD cannot match.

The database shows the AMD ahead in Cinebench, but the Intel ahead in the average of all recorded benchmarks. That split suggests the AMD excels in rendering-style multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads represented by Cinebench, while the Intel's overall average indicates strength across a wider set of test types. The AMD also has the advantage of a much newer release date (2015 versus 2009), which correlates with its smaller process node and higher clocks.

The Verdict

Choose the AMD A10-7870K if you want the faster Cinebench performer, lower power consumption, integrated graphics, and an unlocked multiplier. The data shows it ahead in all five head-to-head tests, with margins of 3.6% to 4.0%. It is also the only one of the two with any form of integrated GPU, making it viable for a basic desktop without a discrete card. The 95 W TDP and unlocked multiplier make it the more flexible part for a desktop enthusiast.

Choose the Intel Xeon W5590 if you need ECC memory support, higher thread count, or triple-channel memory. Its average benchmark score of 986 edges out the AMD's 975, and its 27th percentile ranking is slightly above the AMD's 26th. The 8-thread capability and 8 MB shared L3 cache give it a structural advantage for certain workstation workloads, and the launch MSRP of $1600 reflects its original server-class positioning. The Xeon is the more server-oriented choice, provided you can work around the 130 W TDP and the absence of integrated graphics.

For a pure desktop compute comparison based solely on the recorded Cinebench results, the AMD A10-7870K is the winner. For a broader average-performance comparison that includes all database benchmarks, the Intel Xeon W5590 holds a slim 1.1% edge. The decision hinges on whether your workload resembles Cinebench (AMD favor) or benefits from ECC, threads, and cache (Intel favor). The AMD is the better desktop part by the numbers; the Intel is the better workstation part by feature set.