AMD A8-6600K vs Intel Xeon E5450 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data for these two processors is sparse but telling. The AMD A8-6600K has Geekbench results, while the Intel Xeon E5450 has Cinebench results, so a direct apples-to-apples comparison is not possible from the database. However, the average benchmark scores provide a useful proxy for overall capability.

The AMD A8-6600K posts an average benchmark score of 764, while the Intel Xeon E5450 averages 756. That is a difference of roughly 1% in favor of the AMD part. Looking at the nearest rivals in the database, the A8-6600K sits between the Intel Core i7-3537U (766, 0.3% ahead) and the Intel Core i3-3240 (761, 0.5% behind). The Xeon E5450 is effectively tied with the Intel Core i5-4250U (756, 0% delta) and trails the Intel Core i3-5020U (757) by 0.2%.

In Geekbench multicore, the A8-6600K scores 1076. Its single-core score is 451, which is less than half of its multicore result, a pattern consistent with a quad-core part without hyper-threading. The Xeon E5450's Cinebench results show a multicore R15 score of 221, a multicore R20 score of 923, and a multicore R23 score of 2198. Its single-core R20 score is 130, and its single-core R23 score is 310. The ratio between single-core and multicore in R23 is roughly 7:1, which is unusually wide for a quad-core processor, indicating that the Xeon's per-thread performance is significantly weaker than its aggregate throughput.

Since the two chips never appear in the same benchmark suite, the database does not record a direct head-to-head win for either. The closest comparison available is the average benchmark score, where the AMD part leads by 8 points. That margin is within the noise of the rival deltas listed, so it should be treated as a statistical tie rather than a decisive victory.

The Verdict

The data supports a simple conclusion: neither processor has a meaningful overall performance advantage. The AMD A8-6600K has a higher average benchmark score (764 versus 756), but the gap is less than 1% and falls within the typical variance seen among the nearest rivals. Both parts sit at the 20th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier.

The A8-6600K is the choice for a desktop builder who wants integrated graphics and an unlocked multiplier. The database lists a Radeon HD 8570D as its integrated GPU, which the Xeon E5450 lacks entirely. The AMD part also has a higher base clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.00 GHz, and it can boost to 4.20 GHz. The Xeon has no boost clock recorded.

The Xeon E5450 is the choice for a server or workstation builder who needs ECC memory support. The database confirms that ECC memory is supported on the Xeon, while the A8-6600K does not support it. The Xeon also consumes less power, with a TDP of 80 watts against the AMD part's 100 watts. Its memory support is more flexible, accommodating DDR2 or DDR3 depending on the motherboard, whereas the A8-6600K is limited to DDR3.

For raw performance in the recorded benchmarks, pick either. For system features, the decision depends on whether you need graphics (A8-6600K) or ECC and lower power (Xeon E5450).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A8-6600K wins in scenarios that benefit from higher clock speeds and integrated graphics. Its base clock of 3.90 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz are both higher than the Xeon's fixed 3.00 GHz. For single-threaded workloads, the A8-6600K's Geekbench single-core score of 451, while not directly comparable to the Xeon's Cinebench single-core results, suggests that its clock advantage translates to better responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks. The integrated Radeon HD 8570D means a system built around the A8-6600K does not require a discrete graphics card for basic display output, which is a decisive factor for compact or budget-conscious desktop builds.

The Intel Xeon E5450 wins in server and workstation contexts. Its ECC memory support is a hard requirement for many reliability-focused workloads, and the database confirms this feature is absent on the AMD part. The Xeon's lower TDP of 80 watts versus 100 watts makes it more suitable for dense server environments where thermal and power budgets are tight. Its memory flexibility, accepting both DDR2 and DDR3 depending on the motherboard, gives system integrators more options when reusing existing memory. The Xeon's Cinebench multicore scores, particularly the R23 result of 2198, show that it can sustain significant throughput in multi-threaded rendering tasks, even if its per-core performance is modest.

Neither processor has a clear win in gaming or general consumer workloads, as the database does not include gaming benchmarks. The A8-6600K's integrated graphics give it an edge for light gaming, but the Xeon's lack of integrated graphics means it requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD A8-6600K has an average benchmark score of 764, while the Intel Xeon E5450 has an average score of 756. The AMD part leads by 8 points, or roughly 1%.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E5450 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the database lists ECC memory support as true for the Xeon E5450. The AMD A8-6600K does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD A8-6600K includes a Radeon HD 8570D integrated GPU. The Intel Xeon E5450 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What is the clock speed difference between the two?

A: The AMD A8-6600K has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The Intel Xeon E5450 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and no boost clock recorded.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Xeon E5450 has a TDP of 80 watts. The AMD A8-6600K has a TDP of 100 watts.

Q: Are both processors end-of-life?

A: Yes, the database lists both the AMD A8-6600K and the Intel Xeon E5450 as end-of-life products.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The AMD A8-6600K uses the Piledriver architecture, specifically the Richland codename, built on a 32 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It contains 1,303 million transistors on a 246 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E5450 uses the Core 2 architecture, codenamed Harpertown, built on a 45 nm process at Intel. It contains 820 million transistors across a dual-die design, with each die measuring 107 mm², for a total of 214 mm².

The cache layouts differ significantly. The A8-6600K has 192 KB of L1 cache and 4 MB of L2 cache, with no L3 cache. The Xeon E5450 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, which totals 256 KB across four cores, and 6 MB of L2 cache per die, which totals 12 MB across the two dies. The Xeon also has no L3 cache. The Xeon's larger total cache is a consequence of its dual-die design, which was typical for server parts of its era.

The memory controllers are similar in channel count, with both supporting dual-channel memory. The A8-6600K has a recorded memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the Xeon E5450 has no memory bandwidth figure listed. The Xeon supports both DDR2 and DDR3 depending on the motherboard, whereas the A8-6600K is limited to DDR3. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the AMD part.

The sockets are incompatible. The A8-6600K uses AMD Socket FM2, while the Xeon E5450 uses Intel Socket 771. This means a system built around one processor cannot accept the other without a different motherboard. Both support PCIe Gen 2, but the A8-6600K has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Xeon E5450's multiplier is locked.

Specification Differences

The database records several specification differences between the two processors:

• Base Clock: AMD A8-6600K: 3.90 GHz, Intel Xeon E5450: 3.00 GHz
• Boost Clock: AMD A8-6600K: 4.20 GHz, Intel Xeon E5450: not listed
• TDP: AMD A8-6600K: 100 watts, Intel Xeon E5450: 80 watts
• Process Node: AMD A8-6600K: 32 nm, Intel Xeon E5450: 45 nm
• Transistors: AMD A8-6600K: 1,303 million, Intel Xeon E5450: 820 million
• Die Size: AMD A8-6600K: 246 mm², Intel Xeon E5450: 2x 107 mm²
• L1 Cache: AMD A8-6600K: 192 KB, Intel Xeon E5450: 64 KB (per core)
• L2 Cache: AMD A8-6600K: 4 MB, Intel Xeon E5450: 6 MB (per die)
• Memory Support: AMD A8-6600K: DDR3, Intel Xeon E5450: DDR2, DDR3 (depends on motherboard)
• Memory Bandwidth: AMD A8-6600K: 29.9 GB/s, Intel Xeon E5450: not listed
• ECC Memory: AMD A8-6600K: not supported, Intel Xeon E5450: supported
• Integrated Graphics: AMD A8-6600K: Radeon HD 8570D, Intel Xeon E5450: none
• Socket: AMD A8-6600K: AMD Socket FM2, Intel Xeon E5450: Intel Socket 771
• Multiplier Unlocked: AMD A8-6600K: yes, Intel Xeon E5450: no
• Market Segment: AMD A8-6600K: Desktop, Intel Xeon E5450: Server/Workstation
• Release Date: AMD A8-6600K: 2013-05-31, Intel Xeon E5450: 2007-11-10
• Launch MSRP: Intel Xeon E5450: $915, AMD A8-6600K: not listed