AMD A10 PRO-7850B vs Intel Xeon X5492 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear picture of two processors designed for entirely different purposes, even though both are quad-core, quad-thread parts that have reached end-of-life status. The Intel Xeon X5492 is a server and workstation chip from 2008, while the AMD A10 PRO-7850B is a desktop APU from 2014. Their respective strengths are defined by the workloads they were built to handle.

The Xeon X5492 dominates in multi-threaded compute-heavy applications. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 249 points, and in Cinebench R20 multi-core, it reaches 1039 points. Moving to Cinebench R23 multi-core, the chip posts 2475 points. These are the only benchmark results recorded for the Xeon, and they all point to sustained throughput in rendering and professional workloads. Its average benchmark score of 852 places it at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, which puts it in the company of mobile and older desktop parts, but its multi-core numbers are respectable for a chip of its era.

The AMD A10 PRO-7850B, on the other hand, shows its strength in single-core performance and integrated graphics capability. Its recorded benchmarks are from Geekbench, where it scores 1194 in multi-core and 462 in single-core. The single-core figure is particularly notable, as it reflects the higher base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to the Xeon's fixed 3.40 GHz. The A10 also includes Radeon R7 integrated graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely, making it the only option for systems without a discrete GPU.

The data shows a fundamental split: the Xeon wins where raw multi-threaded number crunching matters, while the A10 wins in everyday responsiveness and systems where graphics output is required. The Xeon's 150W power envelope suggests it was designed for sustained heavy loads in server racks, whereas the A10's 95W TDP and integrated graphics point to a desktop APU aimed at general-purpose use.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different architectural lineages and manufacturing processes. The Intel Xeon X5492 is built on the Core 2 architecture with the codename Harpertown, using a 45 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It packs 820 million transistors across a dual-die design with each die measuring 107 mm², for a total die size of 2x 107 mm². The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB of L1 per core and 6 MB of L2 per die, with no L3 cache present.

The AMD A10 PRO-7850B is based on the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Kaveri, and is manufactured on a 28 nm process by GlobalFoundries. It contains 2,411 million transistors on a single 245 mm² die. The cache configuration is simpler: 256 KB of L1 and 4 MB of L2, again with no L3 cache. The transistor count difference is stark, with the AMD chip containing nearly three times as many transistors, a result of the integrated Radeon R7 graphics core and the newer process node.

Memory support also differs significantly. The Xeon supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with ECC memory support enabled for server reliability. The A10 only supports DDR3 in dual-channel mode, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, but lacks ECC support. The Xeon's PCIe implementation is Gen 2, while the A10 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. Neither chip features a boost clock on the Intel side, but the AMD part has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz from a base of 3.70 GHz.

The sockets are incompatible, with the Xeon using Intel Socket 771 and the A10 using AMD Socket FM2+. The Xeon is designated for the server and workstation market segment, while the A10 is a desktop part. Both have locked multipliers, meaning overclocking is not possible through multiplier adjustment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has a base clock of 3.70 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Xeon X5492's 3.40 GHz. The A10 also has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Xeon has no boost capability.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon X5492 supports ECC memory, which is essential for server and workstation reliability. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which chip includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD A10 PRO-7850B includes integrated graphics, specifically the Radeon R7. The Intel Xeon X5492 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon X5492 has an average benchmark score of 852, placing it at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD A10 PRO-7850B has an average score of 828, placing it at the 22nd percentile.

Q: How do the transistor counts compare?

A: The AMD A10 PRO-7850B contains 2,411 million transistors, while the Intel Xeon X5492 contains 820 million. The AMD chip uses a 28 nm process, while the Intel chip uses a 45 nm process.

Q: Which processor has a higher power draw?

A: The Intel Xeon X5492 has a TDP of 150W, significantly higher than the AMD A10 PRO-7850B's 95W TDP.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Xeon X5492 has a fixed base clock of 3.40 GHz with no boost clock, while the AMD A10 PRO-7850B runs at 3.70 GHz base and boosts to 4.00 GHz. The Xeon has a TDP of 150W, the A10 uses 95W. Sockets are entirely different: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 771, the A10 uses AMD Socket FM2+.

The process nodes are generations apart: the Xeon is on 45 nm, the A10 on 28 nm. Transistor counts are 820 million versus 2,411 million, and die sizes are 2x 107 mm² versus 245 mm². Cache layouts differ, with the Xeon offering 64 KB L1 per core and 6 MB L2 per die, while the A10 has 256 KB L1 and 4 MB L2.

Memory support is another differentiator: the Xeon supports both DDR2 and DDR3 with ECC, while the A10 supports only DDR3 without ECC but with a documented bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. PCIe support moves from Gen 2 on the Xeon to Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the A10. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, while the A10 includes Radeon R7. Market segments are server/workstation versus desktop. The Xeon carries a launch MSRP of $1493, while the A10 has no recorded launch MSRP. Release dates are roughly six years apart, with the Xeon launching in 2008 and the A10 in 2014.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data in the database shows no overlapping test results, meaning direct comparisons must be made through the average benchmark scores and the nearest rivals for each chip. The Intel Xeon X5492 averages 852 across its recorded benchmarks, while the AMD A10 PRO-7850B averages 828. This is a difference of 24 points, or approximately 2.9% in favor of the Xeon.

Looking at the nearest rivals provides context. The Xeon's closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-5250U, which scores 856 and trails the Xeon by 0.4%. The AMD Athlon X4 830 scores 848, putting the Xeon ahead by 0.4%. The Intel Core i5-2500T also scores 856, and the Intel Core i7-4500U scores 859. These deltas are all within 1%, indicating that the Xeon sits in a tight performance cluster.

The A10 PRO-7850B's nearest rivals show a similar picture. The Intel Core i5-3360M scores 835, which is 0.8% ahead of the A10. The AMD PRO A10-8750B scores 821, with the A10 PRO-7850B ahead by 0.9%. The Intel Xeon E5540 scores 820, again with the A10 ahead by 0.9%. The Intel Xeon X3450 scores 837, putting it 1.1% ahead of the A10.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 2475 points, and in single-core it scores 349 points. These are the Xeon's most recent recorded results and show the chip's capability in modern rendering workloads despite its age. The A10's Geekbench scores of 1194 multi-core and 462 single-core demonstrate that while the A10 trails in average score, its single-core performance is notably higher than the Xeon's Cinebench R23 single-core result, though the test suites differ.

The biggest win for the Xeon comes from its multi-core Cinebench results, which are its only recorded benchmarks. The A10's win is in single-core performance and the inclusion of integrated graphics, which the Xeon cannot match.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of use cases. The Intel Xeon X5492 should be chosen for server, workstation, or any sustained multi-threaded workload where ECC memory support and a high power envelope are acceptable. Its Cinebench multi-core scores, including 1039 in R20 and 2475 in R23, indicate that it can still handle rendering tasks. The Xeon's launch MSRP of $1493 reflects its original professional positioning, and its 23rd percentile standing puts it in line with mobile Core i5 and i7 parts from later generations.

The AMD A10 PRO-7850B should be selected for desktop systems where integrated graphics are a requirement, where lower power consumption matters, and where a higher base clock improves single-threaded responsiveness. Its 95W TDP is more manageable than the Xeon's 150W, and the Radeon R7 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU. The A10's 22nd percentile ranking is nearly identical to the Xeon's, but the chip's architecture is over six years newer, with a smaller process node and more transistors.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded compute in a server context, the Xeon is the logical pick. For users building a general-purpose desktop with minimal power draw and graphics output, the A10 is the better fit. Neither chip is a clear winner across all metrics, but the data shows that each has a distinct purpose that aligns with its original market segment. The Xeon's average score of 852 edges out the A10's 828, but the A10's integrated graphics and lower TDP make it the more versatile desktop option. The choice ultimately depends on whether the workload demands server-grade reliability or desktop convenience.