Intel Core i5-2400S vs Intel Xeon X5570 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon X5570 wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i5-2400S. Across five Cinebench tests, the Xeon holds a consistent advantage of roughly 7.2% to 7.5%. This is a narrow but uniform margin, suggesting a fundamental performance gap rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon X5570 scores 283 versus the i5-2400S's 262, a 7.4% lead. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Xeon posts 1180 against 1092, again a 7.5% edge. The single-core results tell the same story: the Xeon's 166 in Cinebench R20 single-core beats the i5's 154 by 7.2%, and in R23 single-core, the Xeon's 396 tops the i5's 367 by 7.3%.

The largest delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore at 7.5%, while the smallest is in R20 single-core at 7.2%. Across all five tests, the Xeon's lead is remarkably stable, staying within a 0.3 percentage point band. This consistency indicates that the Xeon's advantage is structural — it wins by roughly the same proportion regardless of whether the workload is heavily threaded or purely single-threaded.

The average benchmark scores confirm the closeness of this matchup. The i5-2400S averages 968 across its benchmark suite, while the Xeon X5570 averages 967. Both processors sit at the 26th percentile of all CPUs, and their nearest-rival lists are nearly identical. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U scores 968, a 0.1% delta from the i5 and a -0.1% delta from the Xeon. The Intel Celeron N5100 follows at 966, and the AMD PRO A8-9600 leads the group slightly at 971. In essence, these two CPUs are statistical twins in aggregate performance, even though the head-to-head Cinebench data favors the Xeon in every test.

It is worth remembering the i5-2400S has no Geekbench results in the head-to-head comparison, while its standalone benchmark list includes Geekbench multicore at 1709 and single-core at 593. The Xeon X5570's standalone list omits Geekbench entirely. This missing data does not affect the head-to-head verdict, but it means the aggregate scores draw from slightly different test sets.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, even if the benchmark scores are close. The i5-2400S is built on Sandy Bridge, Intel's 32-nanometer process, while the Xeon X5570 uses the older Nehalem architecture on a 45-nanometer node. The transistor counts reflect this generational shift: the i5 packs 1,160 million transistors into a 216 mm² die, whereas the Xeon manages 731 million transistors across a larger 263 mm² die.

Core and thread configurations differ meaningfully. Both CPUs have four physical cores, but the Xeon X5570 supports Hyper-Threading, bringing its thread count to eight. The i5-2400S is limited to four threads. This is the most significant architectural differentiator and explains why the Xeon wins even though its per-core architecture is older. The cache hierarchy also favors the Xeon at the L3 level: the Xeon has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5 offers 6 MB. Both share the same L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) configurations.

Memory support diverges in bandwidth and channel count. The i5-2400S uses dual-channel DDR3, while the Xeon X5570 employs triple-channel DDR3 with a rated memory bandwidth of 32.0 GB/s. The i5's memory bandwidth is not specified in the data. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature the i5 lacks entirely — a critical distinction for server and workstation reliability workloads.

The sockets are incompatible: the i5-2400S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the Xeon X5570 uses Intel Socket 1366. PCIe support differs as well, with the i5 offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and the Xeon limited to Gen 2. The i5 includes integrated Intel HD 2000 graphics; the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all, reflecting its server-oriented market segment. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $1386; the i5's launch MSRP is not listed in the data.

Clock speeds are similar on paper but slightly favor the Xeon. The Xeon's base clock is 2.93 GHz versus the i5's 2.50 GHz, and its boost clock is 3.33 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. The Xeon's power envelope is higher at 95 W TDP compared to the i5's 65 W, though the i5's newer process node likely contributes to its efficiency. Both processors are end-of-life, with the i5 released in January 2011 and the Xeon in March 2009.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon X5570 wins all four multicore Cinebench tests. It leads by 7.4% in R15 (283 vs 262), 7.5% in R20 (1180 vs 1092), and 7.4% in R23 (2810 vs 2601). The Xeon's eight threads versus the i5's four threads provide the likely explanation.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The Xeon X5570 also leads in single-core performance, though by a slightly smaller margin. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 166 against the i5's 154, a 7.2% advantage. In R23 single-core, the Xeon's 396 beats the i5's 367 by 7.3%.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: No for the i5-2400S, yes for the Xeon X5570. The Xeon supports ECC memory as part of its server/workstation feature set, while the i5 does not. This is a key differentiator for reliability-sensitive applications.

Q: What are the memory channel configurations?

A: The i5-2400S uses dual-channel DDR3 memory. The Xeon X5570 uses triple-channel DDR3 and has a rated memory bandwidth of 32.0 GB/s. The i5's memory bandwidth is not specified in the available data.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to common rivals?

A: Both sit at the 26th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U scores 968, matching the i5's average of 968 within 0.1% and trailing the Xeon's 967 by 0.1%. The Intel Celeron N5100 scores 966, and the AMD PRO A8-9600 leads at 971. The two processors are effectively tied in aggregate performance.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i5-2400S includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 2000. The Xeon X5570 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for server-class processors that assume a discrete GPU or no display output.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: the Intel Xeon X5570 is the faster processor in every measured benchmark, but the margin is modest. Across five Cinebench tests, the Xeon's advantage ranges from 7.2% to 7.5%. This is a consistent, repeatable lead that stems from the Xeon's eight threads versus the i5's four, combined with a slightly higher base clock (2.93 GHz vs 2.50 GHz) and more L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

For buyers choosing between these two end-of-life processors, the decision hinges on workload characteristics. The Xeon X5570 is the clear pick for multi-threaded applications, ECC memory requirements, or triple-channel memory bandwidth needs. Its 32.0 GB/s memory bandwidth and server-grade feature set make it suitable for workstation-class tasks. The i5-2400S, meanwhile, offers a lower 65 W TDP, integrated Intel HD 2000 graphics, and PCIe Gen 3 support — features that matter for compact desktop builds or systems without discrete GPUs.

The aggregate scores are nearly identical: 968 for the i5 and 967 for the Xeon, both at the 26th percentile. The nearest-rival lists are interchangeable, with the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U, Intel Celeron N5100, and AMD PRO A8-9600 all within a fraction of a percent. If the choice were based purely on average benchmark scores, this would be a coin flip. The head-to-head data breaks the tie in favor of the Xeon.

However, the Xeon's advantages come with trade-offs. Its 95 W TDP is nearly 50% higher than the i5's 65 W, and its older 45 nm process means a larger die (263 mm² vs 216 mm²) with fewer transistors (731 million vs 1,160 million). The Xeon also lacks integrated graphics, requiring a separate GPU. For a system that needs every bit of multi-threaded performance, the Xeon's 7.5% lead in Cinebench R20 multicore is the deciding factor. For a power-conscious build with modest performance needs, the i5's efficiency and integrated graphics make it the more practical choice.

The verdict: the Xeon X5570 wins on raw performance, the i5-2400S wins on platform flexibility and efficiency. Neither is a dominant choice, and the 0 to 5 win count in the head-to-head belies how close these two CPUs are in real-world terms.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2400S | Intel Xeon X5570 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.93 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.33 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1366 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Nehalem |

| Codename | Sandy Bridge | Gainestown |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 45 nm |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 731 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 263 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 32.0 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2011-01-08 | 2009-03-29 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $1386 |

| Part Number | SR00S | SLBF3 |