Intel Core i3-4150T vs Intel Xeon X3470 Comparison

The Intel Xeon X3470 and the Intel Core i3-4150T represent two very different design philosophies from Intel, separated by nearly five years of architectural evolution. The Xeon X3470 is a Lynnfield-based server/workstation part from 2009, built on a 45nm process, while the Core i3-4150T is a Haswell-based desktop chip from 2014, built on a 22nm process. Despite this gap, both processors currently sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs in the benchmark database, with the Xeon X3470 holding a marginal lead in average benchmark score (983 vs 975). The data reveals a consistent pattern across all Cinebench tests, where the older Xeon wins every head-to-head match, though the margin is narrower than the core count disparity might suggest.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon X3470 wins with a score of 2857, which is 17.8% higher than the Core i3-4150T's score of 2425. This represents the largest absolute performance gap in the head-to-head data.

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

A: The Xeon X3470 also leads in single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 169 versus the i3-4150T's 143, a delta of 18.2%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 403 versus 342, again a 17.8% lead.

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

A: The Xeon X3470 has an average benchmark score of 983, while the Core i3-4150T has an average of 975. The Xeon's closest rival is the Intel Core i3-4370T with a delta of 0%, while the i3-4150T's closest rival is the AMD Athlon X4 840 with a delta of 0%.

Q: Which processor has a higher core and thread count?

A: The Xeon X3470 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i3-4150T has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon has double the core count and double the thread count of the i3.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon X3470 supports ECC memory, which is typical for its server/workstation market segment. The Core i3-4150T does not support ECC memory, reflecting its desktop market positioning.

Q: What is the process node and transistor count difference?

A: The Xeon X3470 is manufactured on a 45nm process with 774 million transistors, while the Core i3-4150T uses a 22nm process with 1,400 million transistors. The newer i3 packs more transistors into a smaller die (177 mm² vs 296 mm²).

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two CPUs is substantial. The Xeon X3470 is based on the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, which was Intel's first generation of integrated memory controller and QuickPath Interconnect designs. It features 4 cores and 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, with a base clock of 2.93 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Core i3-4150T, on the other hand, uses the Haswell architecture, which represented a significant microarchitectural overhaul focusing on improved IPC (instructions per clock) and power efficiency. It has 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and no boost clock capability.

The process node difference is stark: 45nm for the Xeon versus 22nm for the i3. This accounts for the transistor count discrepancy — the i3 packs 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die, while the Xeon fits only 774 million transistors into a much larger 296 mm² die. The cache hierarchy also differs considerably. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the Xeon has a shared 8 MB L3 cache, while the i3 has only 3 MB of shared L3 cache. This 5 MB difference in L3 cache could be significant for workloads that benefit from larger working sets.

Memory support shows both CPUs use DDR3 with dual-channel memory buses, and the Xeon has a stated memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s, while the i3's memory bandwidth is not specified in the data. The Xeon supports ECC memory and targets the server/workstation segment, while the i3 does not support ECC and targets the desktop segment. The Xeon uses PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3 uses PCIe Gen 3. The i3 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4400), whereas the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1156, and the i3 uses Intel Socket 1150. Finally, the Xeon's TDP is 95W, while the i3's TDP is just 35W — a 60W difference that reflects the efficiency gains of the newer architecture.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are consistent and unambiguous: the Xeon X3470 wins all 5 recorded comparisons, with no wins for the i3-4150T. The margins are remarkably uniform, ranging from 17.6% to 18.2% across all tests. This suggests a consistent performance advantage that is independent of workload type — single-core, multi-core, or the specific Cinebench version.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 287 against the i3's 244, a 17.6% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Xeon scores 1199 versus 1018, a 17.8% lead. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the Xeon at 2857 versus 2425, again 17.8% ahead. The single-core tests tell a similar story: in Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon's 169 beats the i3's 143 by 18.2%, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon's 403 beats the i3's 342 by 17.8%.

The notable observation here is that the Xeon's advantage in single-core tests is essentially the same as its advantage in multi-core tests. This is counterintuitive given the core count difference — one might expect the 4-core/8-thread Xeon to dominate more heavily in multi-threaded workloads. Instead, the data shows a flat ~18% advantage across the board. This suggests that the Haswell architecture's IPC improvements nearly offset the Xeon's core-count advantage in single-threaded work, but the Xeon's extra cores still provide a consistent edge even in multi-core scenarios.

The i3-4150T does have additional benchmark data not available for the Xeon: Geekbench scores of 1762 multi-core and 892 single-core. However, since no corresponding Xeon Geekbench scores exist in the data, these cannot be used for direct comparison. The i3's average benchmark score of 975 places it in the same percentile (26th) as the Xeon, with the Xeon's nearest rivals including the i3-4370T (983, 0% delta) and the Xeon W5590 (986, -0.3% delta), while the i3's rivals include the AMD Athlon X4 840 (975, 0% delta) and the Intel Core i3-4130 (975, 0% delta).

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: the Intel Xeon X3470 is the superior performer in every benchmark recorded. It wins all five head-to-head comparisons with margins between 17.6% and 18.2%. If raw performance is the sole criterion, the Xeon is the unequivocal choice. Its 4 cores and 8 threads provide a structural advantage over the i3's 2 cores and 4 threads, and its higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz (versus the i3's fixed 2.90 GHz) helps in single-threaded scenarios.

However, the context of use matters significantly. The Xeon X3470 is a server/workstation part with a 95W TDP, released in 2009, and is now end-of-life. It requires an older Socket 1156 platform. The Core i3-4150T, released in 2014, is a desktop part with a 35W TDP, using the newer Socket 1150 platform, and includes integrated graphics. The i3's power efficiency is exceptional — its TDP is less than 37% of the Xeon's. For systems where power consumption, heat output, or available motherboard platforms are constraints, the i3-4150T offers a viable path to similar percentile ranking with far lower power draw.

The choice depends on priorities. For maximum compute performance in a server or workstation context, where ECC memory support and higher TDP are acceptable, the Xeon X3470 is the data-backed winner. For desktop use where integrated graphics, modern socket compatibility, and low power consumption are valued, the i3-4150T, despite losing every benchmark, provides a more efficient platform. The average benchmark scores are close (983 vs 975), but the Xeon's consistent 18% lead in Cinebench tests makes it the performance pick. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking headroom is not a differentiator.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon X3470 | Intel Core i3-4150T |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | None |

| TDP | 95W | 35W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1156 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Haswell |

| Codename | Lynnfield | Haswell |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 774 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 296 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 21.3 GB/s | Not specified |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4400 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not specified |

| Release Date | 2009-09-07 | 2014-04-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $589 | Not specified |

| Part Number | SLBJH | Not specified |

Both CPUs share 64 KB L1 cache per core and 256 KB L2 cache per core, support DDR3 memory with dual-channel buses, and have locked multipliers. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $589, while the i3's launch MSRP is not provided in the data. The Xeon's part number is SLBJH, while the i3's part number is not specified.