CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon W3580 and Intel Core i5-4570TE occupy the same performance tier in the aggregate benchmark database, with average scores of 1064 and 1062 respectively. This places both processors at the 29th percentile among all CPUs tested, a statistical tie that belies their radically different architectures and performance profiles. The Xeon W3580 achieves its position through raw multi-threaded throughput, while the i5-4570TE reaches it through efficiency and newer process technology. The head-to-head results, however, tell a more decisive story across every single benchmark test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Xeon W3580 wins all five comparable benchmark tests, with margins that are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 311 against the i5-4570TE's 270, a 15.2% advantage. This pattern repeats almost identically in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon posts 1298 versus 1126, a 15.3% lead. The R23 multi-core test shows the same relationship: 3092 for the Xeon versus 2681 for the i5, again a 15.3% gap.

Single-core performance follows the same trend, which is notable given the architectural differences. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon W3580 scores 183 against the i5-4570TE's 158, a 15.8% margin. The R23 single-core test shows 436 versus 378, a 15.3% difference. The consistency of these margins across both multi-core and single-core workloads suggests the Xeon's advantage is not merely a function of its additional cores and threads, but also reflects higher per-thread performance in this benchmark suite.

The i5-4570TE does have one benchmark result the Xeon lacks: Geekbench scores of 1857 multi-core and 966 single-core. These figures cannot be directly compared to the Xeon, as no corresponding Geekbench data exists in the record. The Xeon's win tally stands at 5-0 in head-to-head tests, with no benchmark where the i5-4570TE takes the lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct generations and design philosophies. The Xeon W3580 uses the Nehalem architecture, codenamed Bloomfield, built on Intel's 45 nm process with 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with base and boost clocks of 3.33 GHz and 3.60 GHz respectively. The i5-4570TE is a Haswell part, built on the 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It has 2 cores and 4 threads, clocked at 2.70 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Xeon W3580 carries 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4570TE has 4 MB. Both share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) allocations. The Xeon's larger shared cache likely contributes to its multi-threaded lead, particularly in workloads that benefit from a larger working set.

Memory architecture diverges significantly. The Xeon W3580 supports triple-channel DDR3 and includes ECC memory support, reflecting its server/workstation market positioning. The i5-4570TE uses dual-channel DDR3 without ECC. The Xeon's extra memory channel provides a bandwidth advantage in memory-intensive workloads, though the i5's newer memory controller may offer lower latency.

The i5-4570TE includes integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the Xeon W3580 has no integrated graphics. The Xeon also uses PCIe Gen 2, versus Gen 3 on the i5. The i5's newer PCIe standard offers double the theoretical bandwidth for discrete devices, though the Xeon's older platform was designed for workstation expansion. The Xeon consumes 130 W TDP versus the i5's 35 W, making the i5 dramatically more power-efficient per unit of performance.

The Xeon W3580 is a Socket 1366 part, released in August 2009, and is marked end-of-life. The i5-4570TE uses Socket 1150, released in June 2013, and remains in active production. The Xeon's part number is SLBET, while the i5's is SR172. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Xeon W3580 outperforms the i5-4570TE in every comparable test, with margins ranging from 15.2% to 15.8%. The Xeon's 4-core/8-thread configuration and 8 MB L3 cache deliver consistent advantages across all Cinebench workloads, both single-core and multi-core. For workloads that can use the extra threads and cache, the Xeon W3580 is the clear performance choice.

The i5-4570TE, however, achieves 94% of the Xeon's multi-core scores (2681 versus 3092 in R23) with only half the cores and threads, and does so at 35 W TDP versus 130 W. Its 22 nm process and Haswell architecture deliver per-core efficiency that the older 45 nm Nehalem cannot match, despite the Xeon's higher clock speeds. The i5 also offers integrated graphics and PCIe Gen 3, features absent from the Xeon.

The Xeon W3580 targets server/workstation deployments where raw throughput and ECC memory support matter more than power consumption. The i5-4570TE suits desktop or embedded applications where power efficiency, integrated graphics, and platform modernity are priorities. The data shows the Xeon wins on absolute performance; the i5 wins on efficiency and feature completeness for a desktop context.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance?

A: The Xeon W3580 wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 183 versus 158 for the i5-4570TE, a 15.8% margin. In R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 436 versus 378, a 15.3% lead.

Q: How do the multi-core scores compare?

A: The Xeon W3580 leads in every multi-core test. Cinebench R15 shows 311 versus 270 (15.2% faster), R20 shows 1298 versus 1126 (15.3% faster), and R23 shows 3092 versus 2681 (15.3% faster).

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The Xeon W3580 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i5-4570TE has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon's double thread count contributes to its multi-core advantage.

Q: Does the i5-4570TE have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i5-4570TE includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The Xeon W3580 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Xeon W3580 supports ECC memory, reflecting its server/workstation market segment. The i5-4570TE does not support ECC memory.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Xeon W3580 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-4570TE has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon W3580 wins in any scenario where absolute processing throughput is the primary metric. Its consistent 15%+ lead across all Cinebench tests makes it the superior choice for multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, scientific computation, and server-side workloads that can utilize 8 threads. The triple-channel memory support and ECC capability further suit it to workstation tasks where data integrity and memory bandwidth are critical. The 8 MB L3 cache provides an advantage in workloads with moderate working sets that fit within the larger cache.

The i5-4570TE wins in efficiency-constrained environments. Its 35 W TDP versus the Xeon's 130 W means dramatically lower power consumption and heat output, making it suitable for compact desktops, media centers, and embedded systems where thermal management is challenging. The integrated HD 4600 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display and media playback scenarios, reducing system cost and complexity. The 22 nm process and Haswell architecture deliver near-Xeon performance per core while consuming a fraction of the power.

For single-threaded workloads, the Xeon W3580 still holds an edge in the Cinebench tests, which is surprising given the i5's newer architecture. However, the i5's PCIe Gen 3 support offers better expansion bandwidth for modern GPUs and NVMe storage, which may offset its compute deficit in I/O-bound applications. The i5's newer release date (June 2013 versus August 2009) also means better platform availability and driver support in modern systems.

The i5-4570TE's Geekbench results of 1857 multi-core and 966 single-core provide additional data points for systems where that benchmark matters, though no direct comparison to the Xeon is possible from the available records. The i5's active production status ensures ongoing availability, while the Xeon is end-of-life. For new system builds, the i5-4570TE offers a modern platform with integrated graphics; for existing Socket 1366 workstations, the Xeon W3580 remains a viable performance upgrade within its platform constraints.