CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon X5560 and AMD A8-7670K are both end-of-life processors that land in the 25th percentile of all CPUs, but they achieve that standing through very different designs. The Xeon is a 2009 server part built on Intel’s 45 nm Nehalem architecture, while the A8 is a 2015 desktop chip using AMD’s 28 nm Steamroller architecture. Their benchmark scores are remarkably close, with the Xeon winning all five head-to-head comparisons, though the margins are razor-thin and often within the noise of measurement.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data presents an unusually tight contest. In Cinebench R15 multicore, both processors score exactly 276 points, a perfect tie. The Xeon is declared the winner with a deltaPct of 0, but this is purely nominal, there is no measurable performance difference in this test. The same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 singlecore, where both chips score 162 points. Again, the Xeon is listed as the winner with a 0% delta, but the scores are identical.

Moving to the other tests, the Xeon’s lead becomes slightly more tangible, though still minimal. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Xeon scores 1154 against the A8’s 1152, a delta of 0.2%. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Xeon posts 2749 versus 2745, a 0.1% advantage. The largest gap appears in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where the Xeon scores 388 and the A8 scores 387, a 0.3% delta. Across all five tests, the Xeon wins every category, but the average benchmark scores tell the same story: the Xeon averages 946 points, and the A8 averages 944 points.

These deltas are so small that they are unlikely to be perceptible in real-world workloads. For context, the Xeon’s nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Pentium Gold G5400T and AMD Phenom II X6 1045T, both with an identical average score of 946, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U at 947, which is 0.1% faster. The A8’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-1110G4 at 945 (0.1% faster) and the AMD Athlon X4 860K at 943 (0.1% slower). Both processors are clustered in a very narrow performance band, and the differences between them are smaller than the differences between either chip and its closest rivals.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head results show a clean sweep for the Xeon, but the margins are so slim that the practical interpretation requires nuance. The Xeon’s largest win is 0.3% in Cinebench R23 singlecore, which is the only test where the delta exceeds 0.2%. This suggests that the Xeon holds a very slight edge in lightly threaded workloads, likely stemming from its higher thread count, 8 threads versus the A8’s 4 threads, even though the A8 has a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus the Xeon’s 2.80 GHz.

In multicore tests, the Xeon wins by 0.2% in R20 and 0.1% in R23, while tying in R15. The Xeon’s 8 threads provide a theoretical advantage in parallel workloads, but the A8’s higher clock speeds (boost up to 3.90 GHz versus 3.20 GHz) partially compensate. The data shows that the Xeon’s threading advantage is real but modest, translating to a 2-3 point difference in scores that range from 1150 to 2750.

For the A8, the wins are not in raw compute but in features. The A8 includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely. The A8 also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Xeon is limited to PCIe Gen 2. The A8 has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, whereas the Xeon is locked. These features make the A8 more flexible for desktop use, even though it loses every benchmark.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and philosophies. The Xeon X5560 uses Intel’s Nehalem architecture, codenamed Gainestown, built on a 45 nm process at Intel’s own foundry. It packs 731 million transistors into a 263 mm² die. The A8-7670K uses AMD’s Steamroller architecture, codenamed Godaveri, built on a 28 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It contains 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die, more than three times the transistor count, but on a smaller die due to the denser process.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Xeon has a per-core L1 of 64 KB and per-core L2 of 256 KB, plus an 8 MB shared L3 cache. The A8 has a single 256 KB L1 and a 4 MB L2, with no L3 cache at all. The Xeon’s 8 MB L3 is a substantial advantage for data reuse in server workloads, while the A8 relies on its larger L2 (4 MB total) to compensate.

Memory support also diverges. Both support DDR3, but the Xeon uses a triple-channel memory bus, while the A8 uses dual-channel. The A8 has a rated memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the Xeon’s bandwidth is not listed in the data. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the A8 does not. This makes the Xeon suitable for error-sensitive server tasks, while the A8 targets consumer desktops.

The Xeon’s socket is Intel Socket 1366, and the A8 uses AMD Socket FM2+. The Xeon is classified as a Server/Workstation part, while the A8 is a Desktop part. The Xeon was released on 2009-03-29, and the A8 on 2015-07-19, more than six years apart. Both are end-of-life, but the Xeon’s part number is SLBF4, while the A8 has multiple part numbers (AD767KXBJCBOX, AD767KXBJCSBX, AD767KXBI44JC).

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the Intel Xeon X5560 is the faster processor. It wins all five head-to-head tests, with the largest margin being 0.3% in Cinebench R23 singlecore. Its 8 threads provide a measurable, if small, advantage over the A8’s 4 threads in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support, a triple-channel memory bus, and an 8 MB L3 cache, making it the more robust choice for server or workstation applications where data integrity and cache capacity matter.

However, the A8-7670K is not without merit. Its integrated Radeon R7 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU, which is a significant advantage for a basic desktop system. Its unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, and its PCIe Gen 3 support is newer than the Xeon’s Gen 2. The A8’s higher clock speeds (3.60 GHz base, 3.90 GHz boost) partially offset the Xeon’s threading advantage, as seen in the near-identical benchmark scores.

The choice depends on the use case. For a server or workstation where ECC memory, L3 cache, and thread count are critical, the Xeon is the data-backed pick. For a desktop system where integrated graphics, overclocking, and modern PCIe are priorities, the A8 is more suitable, even though it loses every compute benchmark. The 0.2% average score difference (946 vs 944) is negligible in practice, so the decision should rest on platform features rather than raw performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Xeon X5560 scores 2749, which is 0.1% higher than the AMD A8-7670K’s 2745.

Q: Do the two processors ever tie in a benchmark?

A: Yes. Both score exactly 276 in Cinebench R15 multicore and exactly 162 in Cinebench R20 singlecore.

Q: Does the AMD A8-7670K have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Radeon R7 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon X5560 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What is the transistor count difference?

A: The AMD A8-7670K has 2,411 million transistors, while the Intel Xeon X5560 has 731 million transistors.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon X5560 supports ECC memory. The AMD A8-7670K does not.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon X5560 averages 946 points, and the AMD A8-7670K averages 944 points.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon X5560 | AMD A8-7670K |

|---|---|---|

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1366 | AMD Socket FM2+ |

| Architecture | Nehalem (Gainestown) | Steamroller (Godaveri) |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 28 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 731 million | 2,411 million |

| Die Size | 263 mm² | 245 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 256 KB |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 4 MB |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | None |

| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon R7 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2009-03-29 | 2015-07-19 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SLBF4 | AD767KXBJCBOX, AD767KXBJCSBX, AD767KXBI44JC |

| Wins in Head-to-Head | 5 | 0 |