Intel Core i5-3470T vs Intel Xeon X5470 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records five head-to-head comparisons between the Intel Xeon X5470 and the Intel Core i5-3470T, and the outcome is consistent across every single test. The Core i5-3470T wins all five matchups, with the Xeon X5470 trailing by a narrow margin in each case. The closest result comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i5-3470T scores 150 against the Xeon's 144, a difference of 4%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-3470T posts 359 versus 344 for the Xeon, again a 4.2% gap. The multi-core results follow the same pattern: Cinebench R15 shows the i5-3470T at 256 and the Xeon at 245, a 4.3% deficit for the older chip. Cinebench R20 multi-core records 1069 for the i5-3470T and 1024 for the Xeon, a 4.2% difference, and Cinebench R23 multi-core mirrors that with 2547 versus 2440, also 4.2% behind.

The data shows a remarkably uniform performance relationship. The Core i5-3470T holds a consistent lead of roughly 4% to 4.3% across both single-core and multi-core workloads. This consistency suggests the advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general architectural efficiency gain. The Xeon X5470, despite having twice the physical core count, cannot overcome the per-core and per-thread advantages of the newer design. Notably, the average benchmark score in the database places the i5-3470T at 863, while the Xeon X5470 sits at 839. That 24-point gap aligns with the head-to-head percentages, confirming the i5-3470T's overall superiority in these recorded tests.

The percentile rankings reinforce this picture. The i5-3470T lands at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Xeon X5470 sits at the 22nd percentile. These are adjacent positions, indicating that both processors occupy a similar performance tier, but the i5-3470T edges ahead by one percentile point. The nearest rivals for each chip also show comparable average scores: the Xeon X5470's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-920 at 840, a 0.1% difference, while the i5-3470T's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon X3460 at 866, a 0.4% gap. These neighboring scores suggest that the Xeon X5470 performs roughly on par with early Core i7 processors, while the i5-3470T aligns with slightly newer quad-core Xeon parts.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial, reflecting their different release eras and design goals. The Xeon X5470 is built on the Core 2 architecture with the codename Harpertown, fabricated on a 45 nm process node. It packs 820 million transistors across a dual-die layout with a total die size of 2x 107 mm². The i5-3470T, by contrast, uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node, with a single die measuring 93.6 mm². The transistor count for the i5-3470T is not recorded in the database, but the die size difference alone points to a much more integrated and efficient design.

Core configuration is where the two diverge most sharply. The Xeon X5470 offers 4 physical cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading. The i5-3470T has only 2 physical cores but supports 4 threads through hyper-threading. This means the Xeon has twice the raw core count, yet the i5-3470T still wins all benchmark comparisons. The cache hierarchy explains part of this. The Xeon carries 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 6 MB of L2 cache per die, with no L3 cache. The i5-3470T also has 64 KB of L1 per core, but its L2 is 256 KB per core, and it adds a 3 MB shared L3 cache. The presence of a shared L3 cache in the i5-3470T likely helps with inter-thread communication and memory latency, while the Xeon's reliance on per-die L2 forces more traffic across the socket.

Clock speeds tell another story. The Xeon X5470 runs at a base clock of 3.33 GHz with no boost capability. The i5-3470T has a lower base clock of 2.90 GHz but can boost up to 3.60 GHz. That boost headroom, combined with the architectural improvements in Ivy Bridge, allows the i5-3470T to outpace the Xeon despite starting from a lower base frequency. The process node shrink from 45 nm to 22 nm also brings significant efficiency gains, which manifest in the thermal envelope: the Xeon X5470 has a TDP of 120 watts, while the i5-3470T draws only 35 watts. That is a 85-watt difference, making the i5-3470T dramatically more power-efficient per unit of performance.

Memory support differs as well. The Xeon X5470 supports both DDR2 and DDR3, depending on the motherboard, with a dual-channel memory bus. The i5-3470T supports only DDR3, also dual-channel. ECC memory is supported by the Xeon but not by the i5-3470T, reflecting the server-oriented positioning of the former. The Xeon uses PCIe Gen 2, while the i5-3470T supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i5-3470T also includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 2500, whereas the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all, requiring a discrete GPU in every configuration.

The release dates are separated by nearly four years. The Xeon X5470 launched on September 7, 2008, while the i5-3470T arrived on June 1, 2012. The Xeon is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-3470T has no production status recorded. The Xeon also has a recorded launch MSRP of $1386, a figure that reflects its workstation and server market positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470T wins all four recorded multi-core tests. It scores 256 versus 245 in Cinebench R15, 1069 versus 1024 in Cinebench R20, and 2547 versus 2440 in Cinebench R23. The margin is consistently 4.2% to 4.3%.

Q: Does the Xeon X5470's higher core count give it any advantage?

A: No. Despite having 4 physical cores versus 2 for the i5-3470T, the Xeon loses every benchmark. The i5-3470T's hyper-threading provides 4 threads, and its Ivy Bridge architecture, larger L2 per core, and shared L3 cache more than compensate for the core deficit.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-3470T has an average benchmark score of 863, while the Xeon X5470 averages 839. The i5-3470T also ranks at the 23rd percentile among all CPUs, one point higher than the Xeon's 22nd percentile.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Xeon X5470 has a TDP of 120 watts, while the i5-3470T has a TDP of only 35 watts. This 85-watt difference makes the i5-3470T dramatically more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Xeon X5470 supports ECC memory, while the i5-3470T does not. This is consistent with the Xeon's server/workstation market segment.

Q: What is the single-core performance gap?

A: The i5-3470T leads by 4% in Cinebench R20 single-core (150 versus 144) and 4.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core (359 versus 344). The Xeon's higher base clock of 3.33 GHz cannot overcome the i5-3470T's 3.60 GHz boost clock and architectural efficiency.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3470T outperforms the Intel Xeon X5470 in every recorded benchmark. The i5-3470T wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 4% to 4.3%. Its average benchmark score is 24 points higher, and its percentile ranking is one point higher. For any workload measured in the database, the i5-3470T is the better choice.

The Xeon X5470's advantages are limited to areas not captured by these benchmarks. It offers ECC memory support, which the i5-3470T lacks, making it the only option for systems requiring error-correcting memory. It also has a higher physical core count, which could theoretically benefit workloads that scale with raw cores, but the recorded multi-core tests show no such benefit. The Xeon's 120 watt TDP is a severe drawback compared to the i5-3470T's 35 watts, especially in environments where power consumption matters.

The i5-3470T is the superior processor for general computing tasks, single-threaded applications, and even multi-threaded workloads according to the Cinebench results. Its Ivy Bridge architecture, boost clock capability, and integrated graphics make it a more modern and versatile part. The Xeon X5470 remains relevant only for specific server or workstation use cases that require ECC memory and can tolerate higher power draw.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon X5470 | Intel Core i5-3470T |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.33 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 771 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Core 2 | Ivy Bridge |

| Codename | Harpertown | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 2x 107 mm² | 93.6 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 6 MB (per die) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | None | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR2, DDR3 (depends on motherboard) | DDR3 |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 2500 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | September 7, 2008 | June 1, 2012 |

| Launch MSRP | $1386 | Not recorded |

The table highlights the generational leap between the two parts. The i5-3470T is smaller, cooler, and more feature-rich, while the Xeon X5470 relies on raw clock speed and core count from an older era.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3470T wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. Its largest margin is 4.3% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, and its smallest is 4% in Cinebench R20 single-core. The i5-3470T also holds the advantage in average benchmark score, percentile rank, power efficiency, and connectivity, with PCIe Gen 3 support. It is the clear choice for any application that relies on Cinebench-style rendering workloads, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded.

The Intel Xeon X5470 wins in no benchmark comparisons, but it does retain niche advantages outside the test suite. Its ECC memory support makes it suitable for mission-critical server environments where data integrity is paramount. Its 4 physical cores without hyper-threading could be preferable for certain legacy software that interacts poorly with logical processors. The Xeon also supports DDR2 memory, which may be relevant for older motherboard platforms that lack DDR3 compatibility.

For power-sensitive deployments, the i5-3470T is overwhelmingly superior, drawing 85 watts less at maximum load. For systems already invested in Socket 771 infrastructure or requiring ECC, the Xeon X5470 remains a functional option, but the benchmark data cannot justify choosing it on performance grounds alone. The recorded results consistently favor the i5-3470T, making it the recommended processor for all measured workloads.