AMD A8-7670K vs Intel Xeon W3550 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the Intel Xeon W3550 and AMD A8-7670K compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon W3550 has an average benchmark score of 956, placing it in the 26th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD A8-7670K scores 944, which lands in the 25th percentile. The Xeon leads by 12 points, a margin that corresponds to a 1.2% advantage in the recorded database.

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

A: The Intel Xeon W3550 wins all four multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 279 in R15 multi-core versus 276 for the AMD A8-7670K (1.1% lead), 1166 in R20 multi-core versus 1152 (1.2% lead), and 2778 in R23 multi-core versus 2745 (1.2% lead).

Q: What about single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon W3550 also edges ahead in every single-core test. It scores 164 in R20 single-core versus 162 for the AMD chip (1.2% lead), and 392 in R23 single-core versus 387 (1.3% lead). The Xeon wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

Q: Are the two processors from the same era or architecture?

A: No. The Intel Xeon W3550 uses the Nehalem architecture, codenamed Bloomfield, built on a 45 nm process. The AMD A8-7670K uses the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri, built on a 28 nm process. The Xeon was released in 2009, while the AMD chip launched in 2015.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Xeon W3550 has 8 threads from 4 cores, thanks to Hyper-Threading. The AMD A8-7670K has 4 threads from 4 cores. Despite this 2x thread advantage, the Xeon's performance lead in the recorded benchmarks is only about 1% to 1.3%.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon W3550 supports ECC memory, which fits its server/workstation market segment. The AMD A8-7670K does not support ECC memory, consistent with its desktop market segment.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon W3550 and AMD A8-7670K come from fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The Xeon is a Nehalem-generation part, codenamed Bloomfield, built on Intel's 45 nm process with 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die. It targets the server and workstation segment, which explains its ECC memory support and triple-channel memory bus. The AMD A8-7670K, meanwhile, uses the Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri, built on GlobalFoundries' 28 nm process with 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die. This is a desktop-oriented part with integrated Radeon R7 graphics and an unlocked multiplier.

The cache layouts differ substantially. The Xeon has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 256 KB of L1 total and 4 MB of L2, but no L3 cache at all. The Xeon's L3 cache is a significant architectural advantage for workloads that benefit from shared pooled memory, though the benchmark data shows the real-world impact is small.

Memory support also diverges. The Xeon uses DDR3 with a triple-channel memory bus, while the AMD A8-7670K uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and a stated memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Xeon's memory bandwidth figure is not recorded in the database, but its triple-channel setup suggests a different memory subsystem design. The AMD part has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon has PCIe Gen 2. The AMD chip also integrates Radeon R7 graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely.

The process node difference is stark: 45 nm for Intel versus 28 nm for AMD. That newer process allowed AMD to pack more than three times the transistors (2,411 million versus 731 million) into a slightly smaller die (245 mm² versus 263 mm²). Yet the Xeon still manages to win every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. This suggests that architectural efficiency and thread count matter more than raw transistor budget in these Cinebench workloads.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but narrow picture. The Intel Xeon W3550 wins all five head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with deltas ranging from 1.1% to 1.3%. The AMD A8-7670K wins zero comparisons. The Xeon's average benchmark score is 956 versus 944 for the AMD chip, a 1.2% gap that corresponds to its 26th versus 25th percentile ranking.

For workloads that scale with threads, the Xeon's 8 threads versus 4 threads should theoretically provide a larger advantage, but the recorded data shows only a 1.2% lead in multi-core tests. This implies that the AMD's higher clock speeds (3.60 GHz base, 3.90 GHz boost versus 3.07 GHz base, 3.33 GHz boost) partially compensate for its lack of simultaneous multithreading.

Who should pick which? Based strictly on the benchmarks, the Intel Xeon W3550 is the superior choice for Cinebench rendering workloads, regardless of whether they are single-threaded or multi-threaded. The AMD A8-7670K would be preferable only if its integrated Radeon R7 graphics, unlocked multiplier, or lower 95 W TDP are priorities, since the Xeon has no integrated graphics and its multiplier is locked. The Xeon's higher 130 W TDP is the price of its server-grade feature set.

The nearest rivals data reinforces the closeness. The Xeon's closest competitor is the AMD Athlon X4 870K with an identical average score of 956 and a 0% delta. The A8-7670K's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-1110G4 at 945, a -0.1% delta. Both processors sit in a dense cluster of similarly performing CPUs, which suggests that the Xeon's benchmark victories are real but not dramatic.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The Intel Xeon W3550 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD A8-7670K has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.07 GHz for Intel and 3.60 GHz for AMD; boost clocks are 3.33 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. TDP ratings are 130 W for the Xeon and 95 W for the AMD part.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1366 for the Xeon, AMD Socket FM2+ for the A8-7670K. Process nodes are 45 nm (Intel) versus 28 nm (GlobalFoundries). Transistor counts are 731 million versus 2,411 million. Die sizes are 263 mm² versus 245 mm². The Xeon has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core plus 8 MB shared L3; the AMD chip has 256 KB L1 total and 4 MB L2 with no L3.

Memory support differs: both use DDR3, but the Xeon has a triple-channel bus while the AMD chip has a dual-channel bus with a recorded bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. PCIe generations differ: Gen 2 for Intel, Gen 3 for AMD. The AMD part includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics; the Xeon has none. The AMD multiplier is unlocked; the Xeon's is not. Release dates are 2009 for the Xeon and 2015 for the AMD part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

All five head-to-head benchmarks favor the Intel Xeon W3550, but the margins are consistently slim. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 279 versus 276 for the AMD A8-7670K, a 1.1% delta. In R20 multi-core, the scores are 1166 versus 1152, a 1.2% delta. The R23 multi-core test shows 2778 versus 2745, again a 1.2% delta. The single-core tests follow the same pattern: R20 single-core is 164 versus 162 (1.2%), and R23 single-core is 392 versus 387 (1.3%).

The largest delta is 1.3% in R23 single-core, and the smallest is 1.1% in R15 multi-core. This consistency across all tested workloads is notable. The Xeon's advantage does not grow in multi-threaded tests despite having 8 threads to the AMD's 4. This suggests that the AMD's higher clock speeds (3.90 GHz boost versus 3.33 GHz boost) effectively close the gap that thread count would otherwise create.

Looking at the nearest rivals for context, the Xeon's average score of 956 matches the AMD Athlon X4 870K exactly (0% delta) and trails the Intel Core i7-950 by just 1 point (-0.1%). The AMD A8-7670K's score of 944 is 1 point behind the Intel Core i3-1110G4 (-0.1%) and 1 point ahead of the AMD Athlon X4 860K (0.1%). These sub-1% rival deltas confirm that both chips are squarely mid-pack performers in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon W3550 wins every measured benchmark category. It leads in multi-core rendering across all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) and in single-core rendering across both R20 and R23. Its 8-thread capability, 8 MB of shared L3 cache, and triple-channel memory interface provide the architectural foundation for these wins, though the actual margins are modest.

The AMD A8-7670K wins in areas outside the recorded benchmarks. It has a lower TDP at 95 W versus 130 W, which could translate to lower cooling requirements in a desktop build. Its integrated Radeon R7 graphics mean no separate GPU is needed for basic display output, whereas the Xeon requires a discrete graphics card. The unlocked multiplier allows overclocking potential, and its PCIe Gen 3 support offers newer connectivity standards. The AMD part also has a higher clock speed profile (3.60 GHz base, 3.90 GHz boost), which would likely benefit lightly threaded workloads that do not appear in the Cinebench suite.

For a server or workstation workload that demands ECC memory, the Xeon is the only choice between the two, as the AMD part lacks ECC support entirely. For a desktop user who wants integrated graphics, lower power draw, and an unlocked multiplier for tuning, the AMD A8-7670K has clear practical advantages despite losing all compute benchmarks. The data shows a performance tiebreak that is nearly even overall, with the Xeon's narrow benchmark supremacy offset by the AMD's feature set and efficiency profile.