Intel Core i3-4340 vs Intel Xeon W5580 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-4340 records an average benchmark score of 1026, while the Intel Xeon W5580 sits at 1012. The i3-4340 is ahead by roughly 1.4% in aggregate performance.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: The Core i3-4340 wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 300 versus 296 for the Xeon W5580, a 1.4% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i3-4340 scores 1252 against 1234, a 1.5% advantage. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result shows 2983 versus 2940, again a 1.5% edge.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Xeon W5580 wins?

A: No. Across all five recorded head-to-head tests, the Core i3-4340 wins every single one. The Xeon W5580 trails in both single-core and multi-core measurements.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?

A: The Core i3-4340 leads by 1.1% in Cinebench R20 single-core (176 versus 174) and by 1.4% in Cinebench R23 single-core (421 versus 415). The margin is narrow but consistent.

Q: How does the Xeon W5580's core count compare to the i3-4340?

A: The Xeon W5580 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i3-4340 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Despite having twice the core count, the Xeon does not outperform the i3 in the recorded benchmarks.

Q: Which processor ranks higher in the global percentile standings?

A: Both chips sit at the 28th percentile versus all CPUs. They are effectively tied in overall positioning, despite the i3-4340 having a slightly higher average score.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-4340 and Intel Xeon W5580 represent two very different design philosophies from Intel. The i3-4340 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node, while the Xeon W5580 uses the older Nehalem architecture (codename Gainestown) on a 45 nm process. This process gap is significant: the Haswell chip crams 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die, whereas the Nehalem processor contains 731 million transistors across a larger 263 mm² die.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The i3-4340 offers 2 physical cores with 4 threads, while the Xeon W5580 provides 4 physical cores with 8 threads. Cache hierarchies also differ: both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i3-4340 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon W5580 doubles that to 8 MB of shared L3. Clock speeds tell another story: the i3-4340 runs at a fixed 3.60 GHz base clock with no boost capability, while the Xeon W5580 starts lower at 3.20 GHz but can boost up to 3.47 GHz.

Memory support shows both chips are limited to DDR3, but the memory bus width differs. The i3-4340 uses a dual-channel configuration, while the Xeon W5580 employs a triple-channel setup with a recorded memory bandwidth of 32.0 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i3-4340. PCI Express generations differ as well: the i3-4340 supports Gen 3, while the Xeon W5580 is limited to Gen 2.

Integrated graphics exist only on the i3-4340, which includes Intel HD 4600. The Xeon W5580 has no integrated graphics, reflecting its server and workstation market segment. The Xeon targets that segment explicitly, while the i3-4340 is a desktop part. The Xeon is marked as end-of-life production status, whereas the i3-4340 has no such designation in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i3-4340 across all five benchmark tests. The margins are small, but they are consistent in one direction.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-4340 scores 300 against the Xeon W5580's 296. That is a 1.4% advantage. The Xeon's extra two cores and four threads do not translate into a win here, likely due to the architectural and clock speed differences.

Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a similar pattern. The i3-4340 posts 1252, while the Xeon W5580 records 1234. The delta is 1.5% in favor of the i3-4340. This is the largest percentage margin in any multi-core test.

The single-core tests follow suit. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-4340 scores 176 versus 174, a 1.1% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i3-4340 scores 421 against 415, a 1.4% margin. The single-core results align with the base clock difference: the i3-4340 runs at 3.60 GHz, while the Xeon W5580 boosts to 3.47 GHz, which is still below the i3's fixed clock.

Cinebench R23 multi-core rounds out the set. The i3-4340 scores 2983, and the Xeon W5580 scores 2940, another 1.5% win for the i3-4340. The aggregate average benchmark score confirms the trend: 1026 for the i3-4340 versus 1012 for the Xeon W5580.

The nearest rival data provides context. The i3-4340's closest competitors include the Intel Processor N150 (delta 0.1%) and the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T (delta 0.2%). The Xeon W5580's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-2675QM (delta 0%) and the Intel Core i5-2300 (delta -0.2%). Both chips hover in a similar performance neighborhood, but the i3-4340 consistently edges ahead.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the Intel Core i3-4340 outperforms the Intel Xeon W5580 in every recorded benchmark. The margins are narrow, ranging from 1.1% to 1.5%, but the direction of the results is unambiguous. The i3-4340 wins all five head-to-head tests, and its average benchmark score of 1026 exceeds the Xeon's 1012.

The Xeon W5580's advantages are real but not reflected in these tests. It has double the cores and threads, double the L3 cache, triple-channel memory with ECC support, and a higher 130 W TDP. Yet none of these translate into a benchmark victory. The i3-4340 compensates with a newer architecture, a much smaller process node, and a higher base clock.

For buyers choosing between these two, the benchmark data favors the i3-4340 without qualification. The i3-4340 delivers superior Cinebench performance across the board. The Xeon W5580 offers features that matter for specific server or workstation use cases, such as ECC memory and a triple-channel memory bus, but those features do not improve the measured rendering scores.

Both chips occupy the 28th percentile in the global CPU ranking. The i3-4340's average score of 1026 places it just above the Xeon W5580's 1012. The performance gap is small enough that real-world differences would be difficult to perceive, but the recorded data consistently favors the i3-4340.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category.

Cores and threads: The i3-4340 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon W5580 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Clock speeds: The i3-4340 runs at 3.60 GHz base with no boost. The Xeon W5580 runs at 3.20 GHz base and boosts to 3.47 GHz.

TDP: The i3-4340 draws 54 W. The Xeon W5580 draws 130 W.

Process node: The i3-4340 uses 22 nm. The Xeon W5580 uses 45 nm.

Transistors and die size: The i3-4340 has 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The Xeon W5580 has 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die.

Cache: Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The i3-4340 has 4 MB shared L3. The Xeon W5580 has 8 MB shared L3.

Memory: Both support DDR3. The i3-4340 uses dual-channel. The Xeon W5580 uses triple-channel with 32.0 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon W5580.

PCIe: The i3-4340 supports Gen 3. The Xeon W5580 supports Gen 2.

Integrated graphics: The i3-4340 includes Intel HD 4600. The Xeon W5580 has none.

Socket: The i3-4340 uses Intel Socket 1150. The Xeon W5580 uses Intel Socket 1366.

Market segment: The i3-4340 is a Desktop part. The Xeon W5580 is a Server/Workstation part.

Release date: The i3-4340 was released in 2013. The Xeon W5580 was released in 2009.

Production status: The Xeon W5580 is end-of-life. The i3-4340 has no such designation.

Launch MSRP: The Xeon W5580 has a launch MSRP of $1600. The i3-4340 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-4340 wins in every measured benchmark category. It leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The margins range from 1.1% to 1.5%. For any workload captured by these tests, which are rendering and single-threaded performance measurements, the i3-4340 is the better choice.

The i3-4340 also wins on efficiency. Its 54 W TDP is dramatically lower than the Xeon W5580's 130 W. It uses a newer 22 nm process, newer PCIe Gen 3 support, and includes integrated graphics. For a desktop build where power consumption and modern platform features matter, the i3-4340 has clear advantages.

The Intel Xeon W5580 wins in areas not covered by the benchmark tests. It offers 4 cores and 8 threads versus the i3-4340's 2 cores and 4 threads. It has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, double the i3-4340's 4 MB. Its triple-channel memory bus provides 32.0 GB/s of bandwidth, a feature the i3-4340 lacks entirely. ECC memory support makes it suitable for error-sensitive server or workstation environments. The Xeon's 3.47 GHz boost clock provides some headroom, though it still trails the i3-4340's fixed 3.60 GHz.

For workloads that rely heavily on memory bandwidth, such as certain database or scientific computing tasks, the Xeon W5580's triple-channel setup could be advantageous. For applications that require ECC memory for data integrity, the Xeon W5580 is the only option between the two. Its server-grade market segment and end-of-life status also suggest a different intended deployment path than the desktop-oriented i3-4340.

The benchmark data, however, does not capture these advantages. In the five recorded Cinebench tests, the Xeon W5580 fails to win a single one. The i3-4340's architectural efficiency, higher clock speed, and newer process node overcome the Xeon's core and cache advantages.

Users who prioritize the measured rendering and single-thread performance should select the i3-4340. Users who require ECC memory, triple-channel bandwidth, or higher core counts for non-rendering workloads should consider the Xeon W5580, despite its benchmark deficit.