AMD A10 PRO-7850B vs Intel Xeon X3450 Comparison

The Intel Xeon X3450 and the AMD A10 PRO-7850B represent two very different design philosophies from their respective eras, yet the benchmark data places them in a remarkably close performance tier. Both processors hold a 22nd percentile ranking among all CPUs and post nearly identical average benchmark scores, with the Xeon at 837 and the AMD at 828. The Xeon X3450, a Lynnfield-based server part, leverages its Hyper-Threading capability to deliver 8 threads, while the A10 PRO-7850B, a Kaveri-based desktop APU, relies on higher clock speeds and a newer manufacturing process to compete with only 4 threads. This analysis examines the data to determine where each processor excels, the significance of their architectural differences, and which workload profiles favor one over the other.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon X3450 has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 837 compared to the AMD A10 PRO-7850B's 828. This represents a margin of roughly 1.1% in favor of the Intel part, as indicated by the deltaPct of -1.1% when the AMD is compared directly to the Xeon.

Q: How does the Xeon X3450's multi-threaded performance compare to its rivals?

A: In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the Xeon X3450 scores 2431 points. This places it in a competitive position against mobile dual-core processors like the Intel Core i5-5200U, which has an average score of 838, and the Intel Core i5-3380M, also at 838, showing that the older Xeon's 8 threads still provide substantial throughput.

Q: What are the key benchmark differences between the two processors?

A: The benchmark suites available for each processor differ. The Intel Xeon X3450 has results from the Cinebench series, including a multi-core score of 1021 in Cinebench R20 and a single-core score of 343 in Cinebench R23. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B's data comes from Geekbench, where it scores 1194 in multi-core and 462 in single-core tests.

Q: What is the significance of the A10 PRO-7850B's integrated graphics?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics, a feature entirely absent from the Intel Xeon X3450, which has no integrated graphics. This makes the AMD part a more complete package for a system that does not require a discrete graphics card.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon X3450 supports ECC memory, a feature typical of server and workstation platforms. In contrast, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B does not support ECC memory, reinforcing its positioning as a consumer desktop part.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B offers significantly higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 34.1 GB/s, compared to the Intel Xeon X3450's 21.3 GB/s. This advantage is likely due to the AMD part's newer architecture and memory controller design.

The Verdict

The data suggests a nuanced choice between these two processors, with the decision hinging on the specific workload and platform requirements. For users who prioritize multi-threaded compute performance in applications that can utilize more than four threads, the Intel Xeon X3450 is the stronger candidate. Its 8 threads and higher average benchmark score of 837 give it a slight edge in overall throughput, and its support for ECC memory makes it suitable for entry-level server or workstation builds where data integrity is a concern. The Xeon's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2431 demonstrates a solid capacity for rendering tasks that scale with thread count.

Conversely, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B is the more versatile and modern part for a general-purpose desktop system. Its higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost clock of 4.00 GHz, coupled with a 28 nm manufacturing process, suggest better power efficiency and responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks. The inclusion of Radeon R7 integrated graphics means a complete system can be built without a separate GPU, which is a significant advantage for basic computing, media playback, and light gaming. Its Geekbench single-core score of 462, while from a different test suite, indicates a strong performance in single-threaded applications. The A10 PRO-7850B is the logical pick for a budget-conscious desktop build that requires integrated graphics and does not need ECC memory support.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

A direct comparison of benchmark scores is complicated by the fact that the two processors were tested with different benchmark suites. The Intel Xeon X3450 was evaluated using Cinebench tests, while the AMD A10 PRO-7850B was evaluated using Geekbench. However, the average benchmark score provides a common metric for comparison. Here, the Xeon X3450's score of 837 narrowly edges out the A10 PRO-7850B's 828, a difference of 9 points. When comparing the Xeon to its own nearest rivals, we see it performs nearly identically to the Intel Core i5-5200U (838, deltaPct -0.1) and the Intel Core i5-3380M (838, deltaPct -0.2), while slightly outperforming the Intel Core i5-3360M (835, deltaPct 0.2). The AMD part's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-3360M (835, deltaPct -0.8), and it is just ahead of the AMD PRO A10-8750B (821, deltaPct 0.9) and the Intel Xeon E5540 (820, deltaPct 0.9).

Looking at the specific benchmark data, the Xeon X3450 shows a progression of multi-core scores across Cinebench versions: 245 in R15, 1021 in R20, and 2431 in R23. Its single-core score in R20 is 144, which rises to 343 in R23. While a direct apples-to-apples comparison with the A10's Geekbench scores is not possible, the data indicates that the Xeon is a capable multi-threaded workhorse. The A10 PRO-7850B's Geekbench multi-core score of 1194 and single-core score of 462 are its only performance data points. The margin between the two CPUs' average scores is less than 1.1%, suggesting that in real-world applications, the performance difference would be difficult to perceive without specific, threaded workloads that favor the Xeon's 8-thread configuration.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in their fundamental specifications. The Intel Xeon X3450 features 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD A10 PRO-7850B also has 4 cores but only 4 threads. This is a critical difference, as the Xeon's Hyper-Threading effectively doubles its logical processing units. Clock speeds favor the AMD part, which has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to the Xeon's base clock of 2.67 GHz and boost clock of 3.20 GHz. Both processors have a TDP of 95 watts. The Xeon uses the Intel Socket 1156, while the AMD part uses the AMD Socket FM2+. In terms of memory, both support DDR3 and dual-channel memory, but the A10 PRO-7850B has a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s versus the Xeon's 21.3 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the AMD does not. PCIe support also differs, with the Xeon offering Gen 2 with 16 lanes and the A10 offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The most significant specification difference is the presence of integrated Radeon R7 graphics on the AMD part, which is completely absent on the Intel Xeon.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial, reflecting a generational shift in CPU design. The Intel Xeon X3450 is built on the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, using a 45 nm process node manufactured by Intel. It contains 774 million transistors on a die size of 296 mm². Its cache hierarchy is structured with a 64 KB L1 cache per core and a 256 KB L2 cache per core, culminating in a large 8 MB shared L3 cache. This design, typical of server processors, is optimized for high throughput in multi-threaded enterprise applications. The Xeon is a server and workstation segment part, released in 2009, and is now end-of-life.

In contrast, the AMD A10 PRO-7850B is based on the Steamroller architecture, under the Kaveri codename, and is manufactured on a much more modern 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. This newer process allows for a significantly higher transistor count of 2,411 million, despite a smaller die size of 245 mm². The AMD part's cache configuration is simpler, with a total of 256 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, and notably, it has no L3 cache. This architecture is designed for the desktop market, where the focus is on balanced performance, integrated graphics capability, and power efficiency. The A10 PRO-7850B was released in 2014 and is also end-of-life. The differences in process node, transistor density, and cache design highlight the different engineering priorities: the Xeon focuses on server-grade multi-threading and large shared caches, while the A10 focuses on a compact, feature-rich desktop APU with high clock speeds and integrated graphics.