Intel Core i5-670 vs Intel Xeon X5460 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, albeit narrow, victory for the Intel Xeon X5460 across every Cinebench workload in the comparison set. The Xeon wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with the Core i5-670 failing to claim a single win. The margins are tight, ranging from a 1.6% advantage to a 1.9% advantage, which indicates that while the Xeon is ahead, the performance gap is not dramatic in these specific tests.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon X5460 scores 220 against the Core i5-670's 216, a 1.9% lead. This is the largest margin recorded in the head-to-head data. Moving to Cinebench R20 multicore, the Xeon posts 920 versus 904, a 1.8% difference. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows a similar pattern: 2191 for the Xeon and 2153 for the Core i5, again a 1.8% delta. These multicore results are notable because the Xeon has four physical cores, while the Core i5-670 has only two physical cores but four threads. Despite the Core i5's hyper-threading, the Xeon's additional physical cores provide a measurable edge in these multi-threaded workloads.

Single-core results are closer still. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 129 versus 127, a 1.6% lead. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows 309 for the Xeon and 304 for the Core i5, also a 1.6% delta. These single-threaded wins are more surprising, as the Core i5-670 has a significantly higher base clock of 3.47 GHz, and a boost clock of 3.73 GHz, compared to the Xeon's fixed 3.17 GHz. The fact that the older Xeon still edges out the newer Core i5 in single-core performance suggests that architectural efficiency differences, or possibly the benchmark's behavior, offset the raw clock speed disadvantage.

Looking at the broader database context, the Xeon X5460 sits at the 20th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 754. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-3230M at a 0.1% slower score, the Intel Core i5-4250U at 0.2% slower, and the Intel Xeon E5450 at 0.3% slower. The Core i5-670 also sits at the 20th percentile, with an average score of 741. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Phenom II X4 B97 at an exact match, the Intel Xeon E5520 at 0.1% slower, and the Intel Core i7-860S and Intel Pentium G4400 at 0.1% and 0.2% faster, respectively. The average score difference between the two processors is 13 points, or roughly 1.8%, which aligns with the head-to-head deltas.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and serve different market segments. The Intel Xeon X5460 is a server and workstation part from the Core 2 family, codenamed Harpertown. It was released in November 2007, and it uses a 45 nm process node with 820 million transistors across a dual-die design totaling 2x 107 mm². Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core and 6 MB of L2 per die, with no L3 cache. It supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory, depending on the motherboard, through a dual-channel memory bus. It does not have an integrated graphics processor, and it requires an Intel Socket 771 motherboard. Its TDP is rated at 120 watts.

The Intel Core i5-670 is a desktop part from the Westmere family, codenamed Clarkdale, released in January 2010. It uses a 32 nm process node, a newer and denser process, with 382 million transistors on a single 81 mm² die. It has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus a shared 4 MB L3 cache. It supports only DDR3 memory, with a dual-channel bus and a rated memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. It includes integrated Intel HD graphics, which is a significant feature for a desktop chip of this era. It uses the Intel Socket 1156, and its TDP is much lower at 73 watts. The Core i5-670 also has a boost clock of 3.73 GHz, a feature the Xeon lacks, as the Xeon's base clock of 3.17 GHz is fixed.

The transistor count difference is substantial: the Xeon uses more than double the transistors of the Core i5, largely due to its dual-die design and larger L2 cache. However, the Core i5's newer 32 nm process allows for a smaller die, fewer transistors, and lower power consumption. The Core i5 also supports Hyper-Threading, giving it 4 threads from 2 cores, while the Xeon is a pure 4-core, 4-thread design. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which the Core i5 does not. Both support PCIe Gen 2, but the Core i5's PCIe implementation is limited to 16 lanes from the CPU only.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Xeon X5460 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i5-670 has 2 physical cores but 4 threads, thanks to Hyper-Threading. The Xeon's 4 physical cores give it an advantage in the multicore Cinebench tests.

Q: Does the Core i5-670 have a boost clock?

A: Yes. The Core i5-670 has a base clock of 3.47 GHz and a boost clock of 3.73 GHz. The Xeon X5460 has a base clock of 3.17 GHz and no boost clock, meaning it runs at a fixed frequency.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores between the two?

A: The Xeon X5460 has an average benchmark score of 754, while the Core i5-670 has an average score of 741. This is a difference of 13 points, or roughly 1.8%, in favor of the Xeon.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon X5460 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-670 does not support ECC memory. This is a key feature for server and workstation reliability.

Q: What are the memory support options for each?

A: The Xeon X5460 supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory, depending on the motherboard, using a dual-channel bus. The Core i5-670 supports only DDR3 memory, also with a dual-channel bus, and has a rated memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-670 has integrated Intel HD graphics. The Intel Xeon X5460 does not have any integrated graphics, which is typical for a server processor that requires a discrete GPU.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon X5460 | Intel Core i5-670 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.17 GHz | 3.47 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.73 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 73 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 771 | Intel Socket 1156 |

| Architecture | Core 2 | Westmere |

| Codename | Harpertown | Clarkdale |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 820 million | 382 million |

| Die Size | 2x 107 mm² | 81 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | None | 4 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 21.3 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2007-11-10 | 2010-01-06 |

| Launch MSRP | $1172 | $284 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon X5460 wins all five head-to-head benchmark tests in this comparison. Its advantages are most pronounced in multicore workloads, where it leads by 1.9% in Cinebench R15, 1.8% in R20, and 1.8% in R23. This makes it the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering tasks, such as those simulated by Cinebench, where the additional physical cores provide a consistent edge. It also wins single-core tests, albeit by a smaller 1.6% margin, which is notable given the Core i5's higher clock speeds. The Xeon's support for ECC memory and its server-grade positioning make it suited for workstation and server environments where data integrity is a priority.

The Intel Core i5-670 does not win any of the recorded head-to-head benchmarks. However, it has other strengths in the data. Its TDP is significantly lower at 73 watts versus 120 watts, indicating it is more power-efficient and easier to cool. It has a higher base clock of 3.47 GHz and a boost clock of 3.73 GHz, which could benefit lightly threaded workloads that are not captured by the Cinebench scores. It also has integrated graphics, which removes the need for a separate GPU in basic desktop systems. Its support for DDR3 memory with a specified bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s, combined with a shared 4 MB L3 cache, gives it a more modern memory architecture. It is a desktop-oriented part, making it more suitable for a typical consumer desktop build.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Xeon X5460 as the stronger performer in the Cinebench benchmark suite. It wins every recorded test, both multicore and single-core, and carries a higher average benchmark score of 754 versus 741. The margins are small, but they are consistent across all workloads, which suggests a reliable performance advantage. The Xeon's 4 physical cores give it a structural benefit in multi-threaded tasks, and its single-core wins indicate that its per-core efficiency is not hampered by the lower clock speed. Users prioritizing raw compute performance, especially for rendering or multi-threaded server workloads, should prefer the Xeon X5460 based on these measurements.

The Intel Core i5-670, while losing in raw performance, offers a different set of advantages that are not reflected in the Cinebench scores. Its lower TDP of 73 watts, higher clock speeds, integrated graphics, and support for a newer 32 nm process make it a more modern and power-efficient desktop chip. It also has a shared L3 cache and a specified memory bandwidth, which the Xeon lacks in the recorded data. For a desktop user who values lower power draw, integrated graphics, and a more modern feature set, the Core i5-670 is the more appropriate choice, even if it trails in benchmark scores. The decision comes down to whether the use case prioritizes the Xeon's consistent multi-core performance and ECC support, or the Core i5's efficiency and desktop-oriented features.