Intel Core i5-3470T vs Intel Xeon X3460 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3470T is the outright winner in this comparison, taking all five head-to-head benchmarks by narrow margins. Despite having half the cores and threads of the Xeon X3460, the i5-3470T consistently outperforms it, with the data showing that architectural efficiency trumps core count in this matchup. The Xeon X3460, a Lynnfield-based server chip from 2009, cannot overcome the generational advantage held by the Ivy Bridge-based i5-3470T, which posts higher scores across every Cinebench test while consuming significantly less power.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3470T wins every single test in the head-to-head comparison. The margins are slim but consistent, ranging from 0.7% to 1.2%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-3470T scores 256 against the Xeon X3460's 253, a 1.2% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i5-3470T posts 1069 versus 1057, again a 1.1% lead. The single-core results follow the same trend: Cinebench R20 single-core shows 150 for the i5-3470T against 149 for the Xeon, a 0.7% edge, while Cinebench R23 single-core shows 359 versus 355, a 1.1% difference.

The multicore results are particularly telling. The Xeon X3460 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-3470T has only 2 cores and 4 threads. Yet in Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5-3470T scores 2547 compared to the Xeon's 2518, a 1.1% win. This means the i5-3470T's two physical cores with Hyper-Threading are delivering more work per clock than the Xeon's four cores with Hyper-Threading. The architectural improvements in Ivy Bridge over Nehalem are substantial enough to overcome a 2x core deficit. The average benchmark scores reflect this near-parity: the Xeon X3460 averages 866 across all tests, while the i5-3470T averages 863, a negligible 0.3% difference in the Xeon's favor based on the rival data.

The nearestRivals data confirms how closely matched these two processors are in overall performance. The Xeon X3460's closest rival is the Intel Core i7-3540M with an average score of 867, just 0.1% higher. The i5-3470T sits next in line at 863, a 0.3% gap. For the i5-3470T, its nearest rival is the Intel Xeon W3520 at 862, with the Xeon X3460 directly above at 866, a 0.4% difference. Both chips sit at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same performance tier despite their different architectures and core configurations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon X3460 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-3470T has 2 cores and 4 threads. This gives the Xeon a 2x advantage in both core count and thread count.

Q: Does the core count advantage translate to better benchmark scores?

A: No. The i5-3470T wins all five head-to-head benchmarks despite having half the cores. For example, in Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5-3470T scores 2547 against the Xeon's 2518, a 1.1% advantage for the dual-core chip.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Xeon X3460 has a TDP of 95 watts. The i5-3470T delivers better performance while using 60 watts less power.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470T is built on a 22 nm process, while the Intel Xeon X3460 uses a 45 nm process. This architectural difference is a key factor in the i5-3470T's efficiency advantage.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory features?

A: Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration. However, the Xeon X3460 supports ECC memory, while the i5-3470T does not. The Xeon also has a listed memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s, while the i5-3470T's memory bandwidth is not specified.

Q: What are the release dates for these chips?

A: The Intel Xeon X3460 was released in September 2009, while the Intel Core i5-3470T was released in May 2012, a gap of roughly two and a half years.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3470T wins every benchmark category tested, so its advantages are clear and comprehensive. It takes the multicore tests in Cinebench R15 (256 vs 253), R20 (1069 vs 1057), and R23 (2547 vs 2518). It also wins both single-core tests in R20 (150 vs 149) and R23 (359 vs 355). The i5-3470T also includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 2500), a feature the Xeon X3460 lacks entirely. For workloads that rely on the iGPU, this is a decisive advantage. The i5-3470T's 35W TDP makes it suitable for systems where power draw is a concern, whereas the Xeon's 95W TDP indicates a higher power envelope.

The Intel Xeon X3460 does have specific advantages that are not reflected in benchmark scores. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for data integrity in server and workstation environments. The Xeon also has a larger L3 cache at 8 MB shared, compared to the i5-3470T's 3 MB shared. The Xeon's memory bandwidth is specified at 21.3 GB/s, providing a concrete figure for memory throughput. Additionally, the Xeon was launched with a $316 MSRP, which can be stated as its launch price. The Xeon's 4-core, 8-thread configuration may still be preferable for workloads that scale with thread count, even if the benchmark scores show the i5-3470T performing better in Cinebench.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Xeon X3460 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-3470T has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are close: the Xeon runs at 2.80 GHz, while the i5-3470T runs at 2.90 GHz. Boost clocks differ more significantly: the Xeon boosts to 3.47 GHz, while the i5-3470T boosts to 3.60 GHz. The TDP difference is substantial: 95W for the Xeon versus 35W for the i5-3470T.

The sockets are incompatible: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1156, while the i5-3470T uses Intel Socket 1155. Cache configurations differ, with the Xeon offering 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus 3 MB on the i5-3470T. Both have 64 KB L1 cache per core and 256 KB L2 cache per core. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the i5-3470T does not. The Xeon has a specified memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s, while the i5-3470T does not list one. PCIe support differs: the Xeon uses Gen 2 with 16 lanes, while the i5-3470T uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The i5-3470T includes Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics; the Xeon has none. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $316, while the i5-3470T has no listed launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The processors represent two distinct Intel microarchitectures separated by three years of development. The Xeon X3460 uses the Nehalem architecture under the Lynnfield codename, built on a 45 nm process with 774 million transistors and a die size of 296 mm². The i5-3470T uses the Ivy Bridge architecture under the same codename, built on a 22 nm process with a die size of 93.6 mm². The transistor count for the i5-3470T is not specified, but the die size reduction from 296 mm² to 93.6 mm² illustrates the manufacturing advantage of the newer process.

The architectural differences explain the performance results. Ivy Bridge's 22 nm process allows for higher clock speeds at dramatically lower power: the i5-3470T boosts to 3.60 GHz at 35W TDP, while the Xeon boosts to 3.47 GHz at 95W TDP. The i5-3470T's superior instructions-per-clock means it can outperform the Xeon in both single-core and multi-core tests despite having fewer cores. The Xeon's larger 8 MB L3 cache versus the i5-3470T's 3 MB may help in some server workloads, but the Cinebench results show the i5-3470T's architectural efficiency wins out. The PCIe generation difference (Gen 3 on the i5-3470T versus Gen 2 on the Xeon) also reflects the generational leap. The Xeon's ECC memory support and server market segment positioning are the key architectural features that differentiate it from the desktop-oriented i5-3470T.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the Intel Core i5-3470T is the superior processor for benchmark-driven workloads. It wins all five head-to-head tests by margins of 0.7% to 1.2%, does so with a 35W TDP versus the Xeon's 95W, and includes integrated graphics. Users who prioritize raw performance per watt or who need an iGPU should choose the i5-3470T without hesitation. Its 22 nm process and Ivy Bridge architecture deliver better results across every Cinebench test, including multicore workloads where the Xeon's 2x core advantage fails to materialize into score superiority.

The Intel Xeon X3460 remains relevant only for specific use cases where its unique features matter more than benchmark scores. It supports ECC memory, which the i5-3470T does not, making it suitable for error-sensitive server or workstation applications. Its 8 MB L3 cache and 4-core/8-thread configuration may also be preferable for software that scales with cache size or thread count in ways not captured by Cinebench. The Xeon's launch MSRP of $316 provides a reference point for its original positioning. However, for general computing, content creation, or any workload represented by the Cinebench suite, the i5-3470T is the clear winner. The benchmark results are decisive: the i5-3470T achieves better scores with half the cores, two-thirds the power draw, and a two-year newer architecture.