Intel Core i3-4350T vs Intel Xeon X5560 Comparison

# Intel Core i3-4350T vs Intel Xeon X5560: A Data-Driven Comparison

This analysis compares two processors from opposite ends of the Intel lineup: the Core i3-4350T, a low-power desktop part, and the Xeon X5560, a server/workstation part from an earlier generation. The database records show a clear split in their intended use cases, and the benchmark data reinforces that split. The Core i3-4350T is a dual-core, four-thread part built on the Haswell architecture, while the Xeon X5560 is a four-core, eight-thread Nehalem-based processor. While they share the Intel name, their design goals are entirely different, and the data reflects this.

Where Each One Wins: Use-Case Split Based on Benchmark Wins

The benchmark suites used in this comparison are all Cinebench versions, which stress both multi-core and single-core performance. Across the five recorded benchmarks, the Intel Xeon X5560 wins in all five cases. The Xeon's wins are consistent and often narrow, but they are consistent. The largest win for the Xeon comes in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it outperforms the Core i3-4350T by 2.1%. The smallest margin is in the same test's single-core variant, where the Xeon also wins by 2.1%.

The Core i3-4350T does not win a single benchmark in the database. The data shows a clean sweep for the Xeon X5560 in every recorded test. However, the question is not whether the Xeon is faster, but which chip is appropriate for the intended workload. The Xeon wins in raw compute, but it does so at a much higher power envelope and with a different platform target. The data does not show any benchmark where the Core i3-4350T is competitive with the Xeon, so for pure performance, the Xeon is the clear winner.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is significant. The Core i3-4350T is a Haswell-generation part, built on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The Xeon X5560, in contrast, is a 45 nm Nehalem-generation part with 731 million transistors and a 263 mm² die. The Core i3 is a newer, denser design, but the Xeon is a larger, more robust chip intended for sustained server loads.

The Core i3-4350T has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon X5560 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This is a fundamental difference: the Xeon offers double the physical cores and double the thread count. The Core i3's base clock is higher at 3.10 GHz, but the Xeon has a boost clock of 3.20 GHz, which gives it a small clock advantage. The Xeon's L3 cache is 8 MB shared, double the 4 MB shared cache of the Core i3. The Core i3 features dual-channel memory support, while the Xeon supports triple-channel memory. Both support DDR3 memory, but the Xeon also includes ECC memory support, a critical feature for server and workstation reliability. The Core i3-4350T does not have ECC support.

The Core i3-4350T includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, while the Xeon X5560 has no integrated graphics at all. The Xeon uses a Gen 2 PCIe interface, while the Core i3 uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Core i3's integrated graphics means it is a complete package for a basic desktop, whereas the Xeon requires a discrete GPU in a server configuration.

The Core i3-4350T has a 35W TDP, which is significantly lower than the Xeon X5560's 95W TDP. The Core i3 is also a desktop-market part, while the Xeon is a server/workstation part. The production status of the Core i3 is end-of-life, while the Xeon is also at end-of-life.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the Intel Xeon X5560 is the stronger processor. It wins every benchmark in the comparison. It has more cores, more memory, and a higher boost clock. For raw multi-threaded CPU performance, the Xeon X5560 is the clear choice. The Core i3-4350T, however, has a much lower TDP, a newer process node, and integrated graphics. The data shows this is not a reasonable comparison for a buyer seeking a low-power desktop part. The Xeon is a server and workstation chip; the Core i3 is a desktop chip. The Xeon's benchmark superiority is expected, but it comes with a much higher power draw and a different platform requirement. The Core i3-4350T is for a low-power build where integrated graphics are useful. The Xeon X5560 is for a system that needs maximum multi-core performance and server-grade features like ECC memory.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon X5560 is faster, scoring 276 versus 271 for the Core i3-4350T. That is a 1.8% difference in favor of the Xeon.

Q: Are the single-core scores close?

A: Yes, they are very close. The Xeon X5560 scores 162 in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, while the Core i3-4350T scores 159. The Xeon is 1.9% ahead.

Q: Does the Core i3-4350T have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes the Intel HD 4600. The Intel Xeon X5560 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon X5560 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i3-4350T does not.

Q: Which CPU has more cache?

A: The Xeon X5560 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i3-4350T has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a close match. The Core i3-4350T scores 271, while the Xeon X5560 scores 276. That is a 1.8% lead for the Xeon. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test repeats the same pattern: the Xeon scores 1154 against the Core i3's 1130, another 2.1% lead.

The single-core tests show a similar, but smaller, gap. In the Cinebench R20 single-core test, the Xeon X5560 scores 162, and the Core i3-4350T scores 159, a 1.9% difference. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test gives the Xeon X5560 a score of 2749 versus 2692 for the Core i3-4350T, a 2.1% win. The single-core R23 test also goes to the Xeon X5560, which scores 388 against the Core i3's 380, a 2.1% difference. The Xeon wins all five tests in this data set, but the margins are consistently tight, ranging from 1.8% to 2.1%.

The largest difference is in the multi-core tests, which is where the Xeon's two additional physical cores and four additional threads should show its greatest advantage. Yet the margin remains narrow. This suggests that the Core i3's newer architecture and higher base clock are effectively closing the multi-core gap. The Xeon's higher boost clock and larger cache, however, do enough to keep it ahead.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-4350T | Intel Xeon X5560 |

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

| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 8 |

| Base / Boost Clock | 3.10 GHz / None | 2.80 GHz / 3.20 GHz |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Process | 22 nm | 45 nm |

| Transistors / Die Size | 1,400 million / 177 mm² | 731 million / 263 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3 |

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | None |

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

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1366 |

| TDP | 35 W | 95 W |

| Release Date | 2014-05-10 | 2009-03-29 |

| Part Number | SR1JUSR1PA | SLBF4 |

The architectural differences are stark. The Core i3-4350T is a dual-core Haswell with 22 nm process, while the Xeon X5560 is a quad-core Nehalem from the 45 nm era. The Core i3's 2-core, 4-thread layout is half what the Xeon offers. The Xeon's 8 MB L3 cache is double that of the Core i3. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which the Core i3 does not. The Xeon also has a triple-channel memory bus, while the Core i3 has a dual-channel bus. The Core i3 has a 35 W TDP, the Xeon has a 95 W TDP. The Core i3 has integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), but the Xeon does not. The Xeon uses the older PCIe Gen 2 interface, while the Core i3 uses Gen 3. The Xeon has a higher base clock and boost clock, 2.80/3.20 GHz versus 2.10 GHz (no boost for the Core i3). The Xeon's release date is 2009, while the Core i3's is 2014. The Core i3 is a desktop part, the Xeon is a server/workstation part.