Intel Core i5-3380M vs Intel Xeon X5470 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3380M is the clear winner in every direct benchmark comparison, but the Intel Xeon X5470 remains an intriguing alternative due to its server-grade feature set and identical overall performance percentile. The data shows a consistent, narrow margin of victory for the mobile i5 across all five Cinebench tests, with deltas ranging from -2.5% to -2.8%. However, both processors land at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs and have nearly identical average benchmark scores (839 vs 838), placing them in the same performance tier despite their vastly different designs and intended markets.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3380M wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. It takes all five Cinebench tests: R15 multicore (252 vs 245), R20 multicore (1051 vs 1024), R20 singlecore (148 vs 144), R23 multicore (2504 vs 2440), and R23 singlecore (353 vs 344). The margins are remarkably consistent, hovering around 2.5-2.8% in favor of the i5. This is a clean sweep, with the i5 winning 5 out of 5 head-to-head matchups.

Despite this sweep, the Xeon X5470 has its own territory where it competes. It offers ECC memory support, which the i5 lacks entirely. The Xeon also supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory (depending on the motherboard), while the i5 is limited to DDR3. For workloads requiring error-correcting memory or legacy memory compatibility, the Xeon is the only option here. Additionally, the Xeon's quad-core design with a 3.33 GHz base clock provides a different performance profile that may benefit specific server workloads, even though the benchmark data does not reflect an advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon X5470 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-3380M has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon's core count is double that of the i5.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon X5470 has an average benchmark score of 839, and the Intel Core i5-3380M has an average benchmark score of 838. The difference is only 0.1%, making them statistically equivalent.

Q: Does the i5-3380M support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-3380M does not support ECC memory, while the Intel Xeon X5470 does support ECC memory. This is a key differentiator for reliability-sensitive workloads.

Q: What is the release date difference between these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Xeon X5470 was released on September 7, 2008, while the Intel Core i5-3380M was released on December 31, 2012. The i5 is over four years newer.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-3380M has integrated graphics, specifically the Intel HD 4000. The Intel Xeon X5470 has no integrated graphics capability.

Q: How do these processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-3380M leads in single-core tests, scoring 148 in Cinebench R20 singlecore and 353 in Cinebench R23 singlecore, compared to the Xeon X5470's 144 and 344 respectively. The i5 is approximately 2.7% faster in R20 and 2.5% faster in R23.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant margin in the entire comparison is in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the Intel Core i5-3380M scores 252 against the Xeon X5470's 245, a 2.8% advantage. This is the largest delta in the dataset and sets the tone for the entire matchup. The i5 maintains nearly identical margins in the other tests: 2.6% in Cinebench R20 multicore (1051 vs 1024), 2.7% in Cinebench R20 singlecore (148 vs 144), 2.6% in Cinebench R23 multicore (2504 vs 2440), and 2.5% in Cinebench R23 singlecore (353 vs 344).

What is remarkable is the consistency of these results. The i5's advantage never dips below 2.5% and never exceeds 2.8%, suggesting a fundamental efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i5 achieves this despite having only 2 physical cores compared to the Xeon's 4 cores. The i5's boost clock of 3.60 GHz and its newer Ivy Bridge architecture allow it to overcome the Xeon's higher base clock of 3.33 GHz and additional cores.

In the broader context of rival comparisons, both CPUs sit within 0.3% of each other and their nearest competitors. The Xeon X5470's closest rival is the Intel Core i7-920 at 840 average score (-0.1% delta), while the i5-3380M's closest rival is the same i7-920 at 840 (-0.3% delta). Both processors also closely match the Intel Core i5-5200U (838) and Intel Xeon X3450 (837), cementing their position in the same performance cluster.

Specification Differences

The socket is a major divider: the Intel Xeon X5470 uses Intel Socket 771, while the Intel Core i5-3380M uses Intel Socket G2 (988B). This makes them completely incompatible with the same motherboards. The Xeon has a TDP of 120 watts, which is more than three times the i5's 35-watt TDP, reflecting the mobile design of the i5.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The Xeon runs at a fixed 3.33 GHz base clock with no boost capability, while the i5 runs at 2.90 GHz base but boosts up to 3.60 GHz. The i5 also has a smaller die size at 118 mm² compared to the Xeon's dual-die design of 2x 107 mm². The manufacturing process differs as well: the Xeon uses 45 nm technology, while the i5 uses 22 nm, a substantial reduction.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Xeon supports DDR2 and DDR3 depending on the motherboard, while the i5 supports only DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory buses. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. The Xeon has PCIe Gen 2 support, while the i5 has no listed PCIe specification. The i5 includes Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics; the Xeon has none.

The market segments are opposite: the Xeon is a Server/Workstation part, while the i5 is a Mobile processor. The Xeon is end-of-life, and its launch MSRP was $1386. The i5 has no launch MSRP listed. The Xeon has 820 million transistors, while the i5's transistor count is not listed.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon X5470 is built on the Core 2 architecture with the codename Harpertown, representing the Xeon (Harpertown) generation. The Intel Core i5-3380M uses the Ivy Bridge architecture with the same codename, representing the Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) generation. This generational gap of roughly four years is evident in the process node: the Xeon uses 45 nm, while the i5 uses 22 nm.

Cache configurations are notably different. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs substantially: the Xeon has 6 MB per die, while the i5 has 256 KB per core. The i5 additionally has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon has no L3 cache at all. This means the i5's total cache hierarchy is more modern and efficient despite the Xeon's larger L2 allocation.

The Xeon's dual-die design (2x 107 mm²) with 820 million transistors reflects its server heritage and older manufacturing process. The i5's single-die design at 118 mm² is far more integrated, combining the CPU cores and Intel HD 4000 graphics on one piece of silicon. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

Both processors have locked multipliers, preventing overclocking. The Xeon's foundry is Intel, and the i5's foundry is also Intel, so the manufacturing is consistent. The i5's Ivy Bridge architecture introduces significant IPC improvements over the Core 2 architecture, which explains how a 2-core processor can outperform a 4-core processor from an older generation.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-3380M is the superior processor based strictly on benchmark data. It wins all five head-to-head comparisons with consistent margins around 2.5-2.8%, and it offers a more modern architecture, smaller process node, integrated graphics, and significantly lower power consumption at 35 watts versus 120 watts. The i5 also reaches a higher peak clock speed of 3.60 GHz through boost, compared to the Xeon's fixed 3.33 GHz.

However, the Intel Xeon X5470 is not without its niche. Its ECC memory support makes it the only choice here for error-correcting memory workloads, and its support for both DDR2 and DDR3 memory provides flexibility for legacy server platforms. The Xeon's four physical cores may also be relevant for specific multi-threaded server applications, even though the benchmark data does not show a benefit in Cinebench tests.

The average benchmark scores tell a story of near-identity: 839 for the Xeon and 838 for the i5, a 0.1% difference. Both sit at the 22nd percentile of all CPUs. The i5-3380M is the better choice for nearly all users due to its benchmark wins, efficiency, and modern features. The Xeon X5470 should only be selected if ECC memory support is a hard requirement, as its performance does not justify its 120-watt TDP and server-only socket otherwise.