CPU Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data places the AMD A8-7680 ahead of the Intel Xeon E5620 in every recorded test, though the margins are narrow. Across five Cinebench workloads, the AMD part wins all five, with the largest delta being 0.7% in multi-core tests. The A8-7680 posts an average benchmark score of 1036 against the Xeon’s 1029, a gap of roughly 0.7%. Both processors sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same performance tier. The A8-7680 is the pick for anyone needing a desktop-oriented part with an integrated Radeon R7 GPU, lower 45W TDP, and PCIe Gen 3 support. The Xeon E5620, despite its 80W TDP and older 32nm process, remains relevant for server/workstation workloads that require ECC memory and triple-channel DDR3 bandwidth. Neither part is a clear winner in absolute terms; the data suggests the A8-7680 offers slightly better raw Cinebench performance, while the Xeon counters with platform features the AMD chip lacks. For a purely performance-driven choice based on these benchmarks, the A8-7680 wins every head-to-head. For a system requiring ECC memory validation or legacy Socket 1366 infrastructure, the Xeon E5620 is the only option that fits.

Architecture Differences

The AMD A8-7680 uses the Excavator architecture on a 28nm process, manufactured by GlobalFoundries. It integrates 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E5620 employs the Westmere architecture on a 32nm process from Intel, with 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. The A8-7680 features 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon E5620 also has 4 cores but doubles to 8 threads via Hyper-Threading. Clock speeds differ substantially: the AMD part runs at a 3.50 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, whereas the Intel part operates at 2.40 GHz base and 2.67 GHz boost. Cache layouts are entirely different. The A8-7680 has 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2, with no L3. The Xeon E5620 has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, plus a 12 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD chip supports dual-channel DDR3 memory with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip supports triple-channel DDR3 but its bandwidth figure is not listed. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. PCIe generations also differ: the A8-7680 is Gen 3, the Xeon is Gen 2. The AMD part includes integrated Radeon R7 graphics; the Xeon has none. The A8-7680 targets the desktop segment with an FM2+ socket, while the Xeon E5620 is a server/workstation part on Socket 1366. Production status shows the A8-7680 as active, released in October 2018, versus the Xeon’s end-of-life status with a March 2010 release.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD A8-7680 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, but the margins are slim. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 303 against the Xeon’s 301, a 0.7% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows 1264 versus 1255, again a 0.7% lead. Single-core R20 results give the AMD part 178 versus 177, a 0.6% edge. R23 multi-core shows 3011 against 2989, and R23 single-core shows 425 against 422, both 0.7% ahead. The data indicates the A8-7680 has a consistent, if small, performance advantage across all Cinebench versions tested. The Xeon E5620 does not win any recorded benchmark. However, the Xeon’s strengths lie outside raw Cinebench scores. It supports ECC memory, which the A8-7680 does not, making it suitable for error-sensitive workloads. Its triple-channel memory bus, while unquantified in bandwidth here, offers a wider path than the AMD’s dual-channel configuration. The Xeon’s 12 MB L3 cache, though not directly benchmarked, is a structural advantage for workloads with large working sets. The A8-7680 counters with a much lower 45W TDP versus 80W, integrated graphics, and a newer PCIe Gen 3 interface. For users prioritizing power efficiency and integrated GPU capability, the AMD part is superior. For users needing ECC and server-grade platform features, the Xeon is the only choice despite losing every benchmark.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The AMD A8-7680 wins all three multi-core tests: Cinebench R15 (303 vs 301), R20 (1264 vs 1255), and R23 (3011 vs 2989). The margin is 0.7% in each case.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E5620 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E5620 supports ECC memory. The AMD A8-7680 does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD A8-7680 leads in both single-core tests: Cinebench R20 (178 vs 177) and R23 (425 vs 422). The advantage is 0.6% in R20 and 0.7% in R23.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD A8-7680 includes a Radeon R7 integrated GPU. The Intel Xeon E5620 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the memory channel differences?

A: The AMD A8-7680 supports dual-channel DDR3 with a listed bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Intel Xeon E5620 supports triple-channel DDR3, but its bandwidth is not listed in the data.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The AMD A8-7680 is listed as Active production status, released in October 2018. The Intel Xeon E5620 is End-of-life, released in March 2010.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the AMD A8-7680, but the deltas are so small that they may fall within run-to-run variance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the A8-7680 scores 303 against the Xeon’s 301, a 0.7% difference. This is the most balanced result, with just two points separating the two parts. The R20 multi-core test widens the gap slightly: 1264 versus 1255, still a 0.7% delta but with a nine-point absolute difference. Single-core R20 gives the AMD part a 178 to 177 win, a single point and 0.6% delta. The R23 multi-core test shows 3011 versus 2989, a 22-point gap and 0.7% delta. Finally, R23 single-core has 425 versus 422, a three-point gap and 0.7% delta. Across all five tests, the maximum delta is 0.7% and the minimum is 0.6%. The AMD part wins five, the Intel part wins zero. The average benchmark scores confirm this trend: the A8-7680’s 1036 average sits just above the Xeon’s 1029. In context, the A8-7680’s nearest rivals include the AMD A10-7890K at 1035 (0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i7-4558U at 1038 (-0.2% delta). The Xeon E5620’s nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium G4560 at 1031 (-0.2% delta) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B at 1027 (0.2% delta). These rival comparisons show both parts are firmly in the same performance band, with the A8-7680’s average score landing between its nearest competitors, while the Xeon sits slightly below its closest rival. The benchmark results indicate the A8-7680 is marginally faster in every Cinebench test, but the differences are not large enough to suggest a major performance gap.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The AMD A8-7680 uses the FM2+ socket, while the Intel Xeon E5620 uses Socket 1366. The A8-7680 is built on a 28nm process by GlobalFoundries, whereas the Xeon uses a 32nm process by Intel. Transistor counts diverge sharply: the AMD part has 3,100 million transistors on a 250 mm² die, while the Intel part has 1,170 million on a 239 mm² die. Core and thread counts match at 4 cores, but the Xeon has 8 threads versus the A8-7680’s 4. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for AMD and 2.40 GHz for Intel; boost clocks are 3.80 GHz versus 2.67 GHz. TDP ratings show a major difference: 45W for the A8-7680 against 80W for the Xeon. Cache configurations are not directly comparable: the AMD part has 320 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 with no L3, while the Intel part has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the AMD part uses dual-channel with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel part uses triple-channel with no listed bandwidth. ECC memory support is present only on the Xeon. PCIe versions differ, with the A8-7680 on Gen 3 and the Xeon on Gen 2. Integrated graphics exist only on the AMD part, as a Radeon R7. Market segments also differ: the A8-7680 is desktop-oriented, while the Xeon is aimed at server/workstation use. Production status shows the AMD part as Active and the Intel part as End-of-life. Release dates are separated by over eight years: October 2018 for the A8-7680 and March 2010 for the Xeon. Neither processor has a launch MSRP listed in the data. Both have locked multipliers. Part numbers are AD7680ACABBOX and AD7680ACABCBX for the AMD, and SLBV4 for the Intel.