AMD A10-7870K vs Intel Xeon X5570 Comparison

The AMD A10-7870K and Intel Xeon X5570 represent two very different approaches to computing, separated by six years of silicon evolution and aimed at opposite ends of the market. The AMD part is a late-life desktop APU with a focus on integrated graphics, while the Intel Xeon is an early server/workstation chip built for heavy multi-threaded workloads. Despite their differences, benchmark data shows that in the specific tests recorded, the AMD A10-7870K consistently edges out the older Xeon, though the margin is surprisingly narrow given the architectural gap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the AMD A10-7870K wins all five recorded Cinebench comparisons, but by margins that hover in the 5-6% range. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 299 against the Xeon's 283, a 5.7% advantage. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the A10-7870K posts 1249 versus 1180, a 5.8% lead. The most substantial win comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD reaches 2975 compared to the Xeon's 2810, a 5.9% difference.

Single-core results tell a similar story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD scores 176 versus 166, a 6% edge. The gap widens slightly in Cinebench R23 single-core, with the A10-7870K posting 420 against the Xeon's 396, a 6.1% lead. These are consistent, if modest, victories for the AMD part across every test in the comparison set.

The broader benchmark picture reinforces this trend. The AMD A10-7870K also has Geekbench scores of 1225 multi-core and 478 single-core, tests that the Xeon X5570 does not have recorded. Looking at average benchmark scores, the AMD lands at 975, while the Xeon sits at 967. That 8-point difference places both chips in the 26th percentile of all CPUs, but the AMD part is nominally ahead. The nearest rival data shows the A10-7870K exactly matching the Intel Core i3-4130 and AMD Athlon X4 840 at 975, and trailing the Intel Core i5-5257U by just 0.1%. The Xeon X5570, meanwhile, is 0.1% behind the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U and 0.1% ahead of the Intel Celeron N5100, putting it in similar company.

What is striking is not that the newer AMD chip wins, but how small the margin is. A 2015 desktop processor with a 28nm node and 4 threads only beats a 2009 server chip with 8 threads by roughly 6% in these Cinebench tests. The Xeon's extra threads appear to compensate significantly for its older architecture and lower clock speeds.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two CPUs is vast. The AMD A10-7870K uses the Steamroller architecture on the Godaveri codename, built on a 28nm process at GlobalFoundries with 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. The Intel Xeon X5570, by contrast, uses the Nehalem architecture on the Gainestown codename, fabricated on a 45nm process at Intel with just 731 million transistors but a slightly larger 263 mm² die.

Clock speeds favor the AMD chip substantially. The A10-7870K runs at 3.90 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost, while the Xeon X5570 operates at 2.93 GHz base and 3.33 GHz boost. That is roughly a 1 GHz gap in base clocks, which explains why the AMD part wins single-core tests even with fewer threads.

Thread counts tell the opposite story. The AMD has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon has 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. This is a critical difference — the Xeon can process two threads per core, which helps it close the gap in multi-core workloads despite clock disadvantages.

Cache hierarchies are structured completely differently. The AMD A10-7870K has 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache at all. The Xeon X5570 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon's larger cache pool likely helps it in scenarios with data reuse across threads.

Memory support also diverges. Both support DDR3, but the AMD uses dual-channel memory with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon uses triple-channel memory with 32.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature the AMD lacks. PCIe connectivity differs as well — the AMD offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Xeon is limited to Gen 2.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the AMD A10-7870K wins every recorded comparison, but the nature of those wins suggests distinct usage scenarios. The AMD part's 6.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core indicates it is better suited for lightly-threaded applications like older games, web browsing, or office productivity where clock speed matters more than core count. Its 5.7-5.9% advantage in multi-core Cinebench tests shows it can hold its own even in threaded workloads, though the margin is thinner.

The Xeon X5570, despite losing all head-to-head tests, has strengths that the raw scores do not fully capture. Its 8 threads mean it can handle more concurrent tasks than the AMD's 4 threads, even if each thread runs slower. For server or workstation scenarios involving many simultaneous lightweight processes — think web serving, database queries, or virtualization — the Xeon's threading advantage could translate to better real-world throughput than a single-threaded benchmark suggests.

The Xeon also brings ECC memory support, which is non-negotiable for certain server and workstation environments where data integrity is paramount. The AMD A10-7870K cannot offer this feature at all. Combined with triple-channel memory, the Xeon's platform is designed for reliability and bandwidth in sustained workloads, even if its peak performance per thread is lower.

The AMD part's integrated Radeon R7 graphics is a major differentiator that the Xeon completely lacks. For a desktop system without a discrete GPU, the AMD APU provides display output and basic graphics acceleration, making it a complete solution in a single chip. The Xeon requires a separate graphics card, which is standard for server platforms but adds cost and complexity to a desktop build.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification that matters. The AMD A10-7870K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon X5570 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.90 GHz versus 2.93 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.10 GHz versus 3.33 GHz — both favoring the AMD. The process node is 28nm for AMD versus 45nm for Intel, and transistor counts are 2,411 million versus 731 million, with die sizes of 245 mm² versus 263 mm².

Cache configurations are entirely different: the AMD has 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2 with no L3, while the Xeon has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth favors the AMD at 34.1 GB/s versus 32.0 GB/s, but the Xeon uses triple-channel memory while the AMD uses dual-channel. ECC support is present only on the Xeon. PCIe generation differs, with Gen 3 on the AMD and Gen 2 on the Xeon.

The AMD has integrated Radeon R7 graphics, while the Xeon has none. The AMD is multiplier-unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Xeon is locked. The AMD uses Socket FM2+ and targets the desktop market, while the Xeon uses Socket 1366 and targets the server/workstation market. The AMD released in 2015, the Xeon in 2009. The Xeon carries a launch MSRP of $1386; the AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The AMD A10-7870K runs at 3.90 GHz base, significantly higher than the Intel Xeon X5570's 2.93 GHz base clock.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon X5570 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon X5570 supports ECC memory. The AMD A10-7870K does not support ECC memory.

Q: How many threads does each processor handle?

A: The AMD A10-7870K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Xeon X5570 has 4 cores and 8 threads, effectively doubling the thread count via Hyper-Threading.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD A10-7870K scores 2975 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, beating the Xeon X5570's 2810 by a 5.9% margin.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between these two CPUs?

A: The AMD A10-7870K has an average benchmark score of 975, while the Intel Xeon X5570 scores 967, a difference of 8 points.

Q: Does the AMD A10-7870K have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD A10-7870K includes Radeon R7 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon X5570 has no integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow overall winner: the AMD A10-7870K. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, has a higher average benchmark score (975 versus 967), and offers features the Xeon lacks entirely — integrated Radeon R7 graphics, a 28nm process, PCIe Gen 3, and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. For a desktop user building a system without a discrete GPU, the AMD A10-7870K is the obvious choice, as it provides both CPU and graphics in one package.

The Intel Xeon X5570 appeals to a different buyer. Its 8 threads provide better multi-tasking capability than the AMD's 4 threads, despite losing in raw benchmark scores. ECC memory support makes it viable for server or workstation environments where data corruption is unacceptable. Triple-channel memory offers a different bandwidth profile, and the 8 MB of shared L3 cache benefits workloads with high data reuse. The Xeon's 2009 launch date and server pedigree mean it was designed for sustained, reliable operation rather than peak single-thread performance.

The benchmark results show that the AMD A10-7870K is the faster chip in every recorded test, but the margins are modest — between 5.7% and 6.1%. Given the Xeon's 8 threads and larger cache, the real-world gap in multi-threaded server workloads might be even smaller, or could favor the Xeon entirely. Users who prioritize single-thread speed, integrated graphics, and modern platform features should choose the AMD A10-7870K. Those who need ECC memory, maximum thread count, or are working within an existing Socket 1366 server platform should consider the Xeon X5570, accepting lower per-thread performance in exchange for its specific server-oriented capabilities.