Intel Core i5-3470T vs Intel Xeon X3450 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear and consistent outcome: the Intel Core i5-3470T wins every single head-to-head benchmark against the Intel Xeon X3450. Across five Cinebench tests, the Core i5-3470T leads by margins ranging from 4.0% to 4.6%. This is notable because the Xeon X3450 has double the core count and eight threads versus the Core i5's four. The Xeon's additional parallel resources do not translate into a performance advantage in these workloads. The Core i5-3470T also holds a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs at 23, compared to the Xeon's 22.

The Core i5-3470T is the logical choice for anyone prioritizing raw performance in Cinebench-style workloads. Its results are superior in both multi-core and single-core tests. The Xeon X3450, despite its server-class heritage and ECC memory support, does not offer any performance benefit in this comparison. The data suggests that for the applications measured, the newer architecture, higher clock speeds, and more efficient design of the Core i5-3470T are decisive. The Xeon's only clear advantages in the database are its ECC memory capability and its dual-channel memory bandwidth figure of 21.3 GB/s, which is not directly benchmarked here.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon X3450 is built on the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, and uses a 45 nm process node. It features a transistor count of 774 million on a 296 mm² die. The Core i5-3470T, in contrast, is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture and employs a more advanced 22 nm process node, with a significantly smaller die size of 93.6 mm².

Core configuration is the most obvious divergence. The Xeon X3450 has 4 physical cores with 8 threads, while the Core i5-3470T has only 2 physical cores with 4 threads. Cache allocation also differs substantially. The Xeon has an 8 MB shared L3 cache, whereas the Core i5 has a 3 MB shared L3 cache. Both share the same L1 and L2 cache sizes per core at 64 KB and 256 KB, respectively.

Memory support sees another key difference. Both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, but only the Xeon X3450 supports ECC memory. The Xeon also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s, a figure not listed for the Core i5. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Xeon uses Gen 2 with 16 lanes, while the Core i5-3470T uses the newer Gen 3 standard with 16 lanes. The Core i5-3470T also includes integrated graphics, the Intel HD 2500, which the Xeon lacks entirely.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably uniform. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon X3450 scores 245, while the Core i5-3470T scores 256. This gives the Core i5 a 4.3% advantage. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 1021 for the Xeon versus 1069 for the Core i5, a 4.5% lead for the newer chip.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 144, and the Core i5-3470T scores 150, a 4% difference. The Cinebench R23 tests confirm this trend. In multi-core, the Xeon manages 2431, while the Core i5 reaches 2547, a 4.6% margin. In single-core, the scores are 343 and 359, respectively, again a 4.5% gap in favor of the Core i5-3470T.

These results are striking because they show the Core i5-3470T winning not only in single-threaded tests, where its higher clock speeds and newer architecture are expected to help, but also in multi-threaded tests. Despite having half the cores and threads of the Xeon, the Core i5 still outperforms it. The data implies that the Ivy Bridge architecture's efficiency, combined with the higher base and boost clocks (2.90 GHz and 3.60 GHz versus 2.67 GHz and 3.20 GHz), outweighs the Xeon's core count advantage in these particular workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Xeon X3450 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-3470T has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the Xeon X3450 outperform the Core i5-3470T in any benchmark?

A: No. The Core i5-3470T wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The Xeon X3450 records zero wins, while the Core i5-3470T records five.

Q: What is the difference in single-core Cinebench R23 scores?

A: The Xeon X3450 scores 343, while the Core i5-3470T scores 359. This represents a 4.5% advantage for the Core i5-3470T.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon X3450 supports ECC memory. The Core i5-3470T does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core i5-3470T has an average benchmark score of 863, while the Xeon X3450 has an average score of 837.

Q: What are the release dates for these processors?

A: The Xeon X3450 was released on September 7, 2009. The Core i5-3470T was released on May 31, 2012.

Where Each One Wins

The data clearly favors the Core i5-3470T for Cinebench workloads. Whether the test is R15, R20, or R23, and whether it is single-core or multi-core, the Core i5-3470T is ahead by a consistent margin of roughly 4% to 4.6%. This suggests that for rendering, encoding, or any application that scales similarly to Cinebench, the Core i5-3470T is the superior choice. Its higher clock speeds and newer architecture provide a tangible performance edge.

The Xeon X3450 does have its own areas of relevance, though they are not reflected in the benchmark scores. Its support for ECC memory makes it suitable for error-sensitive server or workstation environments where data integrity is critical. Its recorded memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s is a specific specification that may be relevant in memory-intensive tasks. The Xeon also has a larger 8 MB shared L3 cache, which could theoretically benefit workloads with large, reusable datasets, although the recorded benchmarks do not show this advantage materializing.

For a general-purpose desktop user, the Core i5-3470T is the clear winner based on performance data. For a user who requires ECC memory support and is willing to sacrifice the performance shown in these tests, the Xeon X3450 is the only option. The Core i5-3470T also includes integrated graphics, which the Xeon lacks, making it a more complete package for a system without a discrete GPU.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors. The Intel Xeon X3450 has a base clock of 2.67 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The Intel Core i5-3470T has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Xeon has a TDP of 95 watts, while the Core i5-3470T has a TDP of 35 watts.

The Xeon X3450 uses the Intel Socket 1156, while the Core i5-3470T uses the Intel Socket 1155. The Xeon is based on the Nehalem architecture with the Lynnfield codename, while the Core i5 uses the Ivy Bridge architecture. The process node is 45 nm for the Xeon and 22 nm for the Core i5. The Xeon has a die size of 296 mm², while the Core i5 has a die size of 93.6 mm². The transistor count for the Xeon is 774 million; no transistor count is listed for the Core i5.

The Xeon X3450 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i5-3470T has 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Core i5 does not. The Xeon has a recorded memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s, while no such figure is listed for the Core i5. The Xeon uses PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes, while the Core i5 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Core i5-3470T has integrated graphics, the Intel HD 2500, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $241; no launch MSRP is listed for the Core i5-3470T. The Xeon is part of the server and workstation market segment, while the Core i5 is a desktop part. The Xeon has a production status of end-of-life.