AMD PRO A8-8650B vs Intel Xeon X3460 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Xeon X3460 has 8 threads, while the AMD PRO A8-8650B has 4 threads. The Xeon uses Hyper-Threading technology to double its 4 physical cores into 8 logical threads, whereas the AMD part runs with one thread per core.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: The AMD PRO A8-8650B was released in September 2015, while the Intel Xeon X3460 came out in September 2009. The AMD part is roughly six years newer, which reflects in its 28 nm process node versus the Intel's 45 nm node.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD PRO A8-8650B includes Radeon R7 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon X3460 does not have any integrated graphics, as it is a server/workstation part.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon X3460 supports ECC memory, while the AMD PRO A8-8650B does not. This aligns with the Xeon's server/workstation market segment.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The AMD PRO A8-8650B has an average benchmark score of 887, while the Intel Xeon X3460 scores 866. The AMD part is about 2.4% higher on average, and it occupies the 24th percentile versus the Xeon's 23rd percentile.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD PRO A8-8650B boosts to 3.90 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Xeon X3460's boost of 3.47 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 2.80 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon X3460 and AMD PRO A8-8650B come from fundamentally different design philosophies and eras. The Xeon is built on Intel's Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, using a 45 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It packs 774 million transistors into a 296 mm² die. The architecture is a classic Intel design with 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, plus a shared 8 MB L3 cache. This cache hierarchy is split into three levels, with the L3 being the largest and shared across all four cores.

The AMD PRO A8-8650B uses the Steamroller architecture with the Godaveri codename, built on a 28 nm process node at GlobalFoundries. It contains 2,411 million transistors on a 245 mm² die, which is a significantly higher transistor count than the Intel part despite the smaller die size. The cache layout differs markedly: the AMD part has 256 KB of L1 cache (total, not per core) and 4 MB of L2 cache, but it has no L3 cache at all. This means the AMD processor relies entirely on its L1 and L2 caches, whereas the Intel Xeon has an additional large shared L3 pool.

Another key architectural difference is the memory subsystem. Both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, but the AMD part has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 34.1 GB/s versus the Intel's 21.3 GB/s. The PCIe support also differs: the Intel Xeon uses PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes, while the AMD PRO A8-8650B uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The newer PCIe standard on the AMD side provides double the per-lane bandwidth in theory.

The thread execution model is a major split. The Intel Xeon X3460 has 4 cores and 8 threads, using simultaneous multithreading to process two threads per core. The AMD PRO A8-8650B has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no SMT support. This means the Intel part can handle more concurrent threads, but the AMD part has higher clock speeds: 3.20 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost versus 2.80 GHz base and 3.47 GHz boost.

The market positioning is also distinct. The Intel Xeon X3460 is a server/workstation processor on Intel Socket 1156, while the AMD PRO A8-8650B is a desktop processor on AMD Socket FM2+. The AMD part includes Radeon R7 integrated graphics, making it a complete APU solution, whereas the Xeon requires a discrete graphics card.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a consistent pattern: the AMD PRO A8-8650B wins every single recorded head-to-head test, taking all 5 wins with no victories for the Intel Xeon X3460. The margins are relatively uniform, ranging from 7.9% to 8% in the AMD's favor.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 275 versus the Intel's 253, a delta of -8% from the Intel's perspective. This translates to the AMD being roughly 8.7% faster in raw multi-threaded rendering performance. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a similar story: AMD at 1148, Intel at 1057, with a -7.9% delta. The AMD advantage is essentially maintained across the newer Cinebench versions, with R23 multi-core showing AMD at 2734 and Intel at 2518, again a -7.9% delta.

Single-core performance follows the same path. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the AMD scores 162 against the Intel's 149, an 8% gap. The R23 single-core test shows AMD at 386 and Intel at 355, also an 8% delta. This single-core advantage is notable because it suggests the AMD's higher clock speeds (3.90 GHz boost versus 3.47 GHz) are translating into real performance gains, despite the Intel's more sophisticated cache hierarchy and SMT capability.

It is notably the Intel Xeon X3460 has 8 threads versus the AMD's 4 threads, yet the AMD still wins the multi-core tests. This indicates that the AMD's per-core performance advantage is substantial enough to overcome the Intel's thread count advantage. The AMD also has additional benchmark data in the database, including Geekbench multi-core at 1060 and single-core at 441, which are not available for the Intel part in the recorded measurements.

The Intel Xeon X3460 does not have any benchmark wins against this particular AMD rival. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i7-3540M (avg score 867, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i5-3470T (avg score 863, delta 0.3%), and the Intel Xeon W3520 (avg score 862, delta 0.5%). The AMD PRO A8-8650B's nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium G4560T (avg score 887, delta 0%), the Intel Xeon X5550 (avg score 888, delta -0.1%), and the Intel Core i7-860 (avg score 886, delta 0.1%). These rival comparisons show that both processors sit in a similar performance tier, but the AMD part edges ahead in the direct comparison.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. The Intel Xeon X3460 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD PRO A8-8650B has 4 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds favor the AMD: base clock is 3.20 GHz versus 2.80 GHz, and boost clock is 3.90 GHz versus 3.47 GHz.

Thermal design power differs substantially. The Intel Xeon X3460 has a TDP of 95 watts, while the AMD PRO A8-8650B has a TDP of 65 watts. This makes the AMD part significantly more power-efficient on paper, consuming about 32% less power under the rated thermal envelope.

The sockets are completely incompatible. The Intel uses Intel Socket 1156, while the AMD uses AMD Socket FM2+. The architectures are Nehalem (Lynnfield) versus Steamroller (Godaveri), with process nodes of 45 nm versus 28 nm. The transistor counts are 774 million versus 2,411 million, and die sizes are 296 mm² versus 245 mm².

Cache configurations are distinct. The Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The AMD has 256 KB total L1 and 4 MB L2, with no L3 cache. Memory bandwidth favors the AMD at 34.1 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s. ECC memory support is present only on the Intel. PCIe generation differs: Gen 2 on Intel, Gen 3 on AMD, both with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics are present only on the AMD (Radeon R7). The market segments are Server/Workstation for Intel versus Desktop for AMD. The Intel launched with a $316 MSRP, while the AMD has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The Intel was released in September 2009, the AMD in September 2015. Both are end-of-life products with locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD PRO A8-8650B is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all 5 head-to-head tests with margins between 7.9% and 8%. The AMD has a higher average benchmark score (887 versus 866) and a higher percentile ranking (24th versus 23rd). Its higher clock speeds and larger memory bandwidth compensate for its lack of SMT and missing L3 cache.

The Intel Xeon X3460 does have two structural advantages: ECC memory support and 8 threads. The ECC support makes it viable for error-correcting memory configurations, which is a requirement in some server and workstation environments. The 8 threads allow it to handle more concurrent software threads, which could benefit certain heavily threaded workloads. However, in the actual benchmark results, these advantages do not translate into a single win against the AMD part.

For users who prioritize raw performance in Cinebench and similar rendering workloads, the AMD PRO A8-8650B is the clear choice. It is also the more modern part, with a smaller process node, higher transistor count, and integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon X3460 is a legacy server part from 2009, and its performance profile reflects that age.

The TDP difference is significant: 65 watts versus 95 watts. The AMD achieves better performance while consuming less power by the rated thermal envelope, which makes it a more attractive option for systems where cooling and power delivery are considerations.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD PRO A8-8650B wins in every measured benchmark category. Its advantages are most pronounced in single-core tests, where it leads by 8% in both Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core. This makes it the better choice for applications that rely on single-threaded performance, such as older games, lightly threaded productivity apps, and general desktop responsiveness. The AMD also wins in multi-core tests, leading by 7.9% to 8% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core, which covers modern rendering workloads and video encoding tasks that scale across cores.

The AMD's integrated Radeon R7 graphics give it a distinct advantage for systems that do not have a discrete GPU. This makes it suitable for basic desktop use, media playback, and light gaming without additional hardware. The AMD also has PCIe Gen 3 support, which is beneficial for modern expansion cards.

The Intel Xeon X3460 wins in specific capability areas that are not captured by the benchmark scores. Its ECC memory support makes it the only choice for systems that require error-correcting memory, such as critical data processing or long-running server workloads where memory errors are unacceptable. Its 8 threads provide more concurrent thread capacity, which can be advantageous in heavily threaded server workloads that exceed the AMD's 4-thread limit. The Intel also has a larger shared L3 cache (8 MB versus none), which can help with data reuse in certain server applications.

The Intel's market segment is Server/Workstation, while the AMD's is Desktop. Users building a dedicated server or workstation with ECC memory requirements should consider the Xeon. Users building a desktop system that needs integrated graphics, higher memory bandwidth, and better overall benchmark performance should choose the AMD PRO A8-8650B. The AMD is also the more recent release by about six years, which is reflected in its superior process node and transistor density.