Intel Core i7-2920XM vs Intel Xeon X3470 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data delivers a clear, though not overwhelming, verdict in favor of the Intel Core i7-2920XM. Across every benchmark where both processors were measured, the mobile Core i7 Extreme wins outright, with margins ranging from 22.5% to 23%. The Xeon X3470, a server and workstation part from an older generation, cannot match the newer architecture's efficiency and per-clock performance. The data suggests the i7-2920XM is the superior choice for any task that relies on the measured workloads, despite its mobile positioning. The Xeon X3470 holds appeal only in specific, narrow contexts: its platform supports ECC memory, a feature entirely absent from the Core i7. For general compute performance as captured by the database, the i7-2920XM is the definitive pick. The Xeon's role is limited to legacy server environments where error-correcting memory is non-negotiable, and where its lower base and boost clocks are an acceptable trade-off.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct design philosophies separated by a full process generation. The Intel Core i7-2920XM is built on Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process node, while the Intel Xeon X3470 relies on the older Nehalem architecture on a 45 nm node. This process shrink is central to the performance gap: the i7-2920XM packs 1,160 million transistors into a 216 mm² die, whereas the Xeon X3470 contains 774 million transistors on a substantially larger 296 mm² die. The newer node allows the Core i7 to deliver higher performance while consuming significantly less power.

Both parts feature 4 cores and 8 threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The similarities end there. The i7-2920XM operates at a 2.50 GHz base clock and boosts to 3.50 GHz, while the Xeon X3470 starts higher at 2.93 GHz but only reaches 3.60 GHz on boost. The Xeon's higher base clock is offset by its architectural disadvantage, as the benchmark data consistently shows the i7-2920XM pulling ahead despite the clock deficit.

Memory support diverges sharply. Both use dual-channel DDR3, but the i7-2920XM achieves 25.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth versus 21.3 GB/s for the Xeon X3470. Critically, the Xeon supports ECC memory, while the i7-2920XM does not. The Xeon also carries no integrated graphics, whereas the Core i7 includes Intel HD 3000. The i7-2920XM has an unlocked multiplier, the Xeon does not. The Xeon targets the Server/Workstation segment, while the i7-2920XM is a Mobile part, even though its performance profile suggests desktop-class capability.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a consistent story: the i7-2920XM wins every recorded comparison, and does so by nearly identical margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-2920XM scores 353 against the Xeon's 287, a 23% advantage. The Cinebench R20 multicore test shows a score of 1471 for the Core i7 versus 1199 for the Xeon, a 22.7% gap. Single-core performance in R20 follows the same pattern: 207 for the i7-2920XM against 169 for the Xeon, a 22.5% lead.

The most recent Cinebench R23 results reinforce the trend. In multicore, the i7-2920XM scores 3504, while the Xeon X3470 manages 2857, a 22.6% delta. Single-core R23 shows 494 versus 403, again a 22.6% advantage for the Core i7. The consistency of these margins, all clustered between 22.5% and 23%, indicates that the performance difference is architectural and systemic rather than workload-specific. The i7-2920XM's newer process node and improved instruction per clock (IPC) allow it to outperform the Xeon despite the Xeon's higher base clock. The Xeon's 2.93 GHz base frequency and 3.60 GHz boost clock cannot compensate for the older Nehalem design.

Geekbench results are only recorded for the i7-2920XM, with scores of 1452 in multicore and 430 in single-core. The Xeon has no Geekbench entries in the database, so direct comparison is impossible in that test suite. However, the Cinebench results across three versions provide ample evidence of the Core i7's dominance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Xeon X3470 has a base clock of 2.93 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i7-2920XM's 2.50 GHz. Despite this, the i7-2920XM wins every benchmark, indicating that clock speed alone does not determine performance.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon X3470 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon X3470 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-2920XM does not support ECC memory. This is the primary feature distinction that favors the Xeon for specific server and workstation applications.

Q: How much larger is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-2920XM scores 3504 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Xeon X3470 scores 2857. This represents a 22.6% advantage for the i7-2920XM.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-2920XM includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon X3470 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for its server and workstation market segment.

Q: Are both processors based on the same process node?

A: No. The i7-2920XM is built on a 32 nm process node, while the Xeon X3470 uses a 45 nm node. The smaller node contributes to the i7's higher transistor count (1,160 million versus 774 million) and better performance.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The i7-2920XM has an average benchmark score of 995, placing it in the 27th percentile of all CPUs. The Xeon X3470 has an average score of 983, placing it in the 26th percentile. The i7-2920XM's closest rival is the Intel Core i7-2635QM with a matching score of 995, while the Xeon X3470's closest rival is the Intel Core i3-4370T with a score of 983.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-2920XM wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. It dominates in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both in multicore and single-core tests. The 22.5% to 23% advantage across all tests makes it the clear choice for rendering, content creation, and any CPU-bound workload. Its higher memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s further supports memory-intensive applications. The unlocked multiplier also makes it more attractive for users who wish to push performance beyond stock settings. Its integrated graphics provide a fallback display output, which is useful for mobile systems.

The Intel Xeon X3470 wins in only one meaningful category: ECC memory support. For server environments where data integrity is paramount, this feature is non-negotiable. The Xeon also has a higher base clock of 2.93 GHz, which may offer slight advantages in lightly threaded tasks that do not scale with boost behavior, but the benchmark data does not support this hypothesis, as the i7-2920XM leads in all single-core tests. The Xeon's server and workstation market segment implies a platform designed for long-term reliability, but its 95 W TDP versus the i7's 55 W TDP indicates higher power consumption for lower performance. The Xeon's 21.3 GB/s memory bandwidth is a bottleneck compared to the i7's 25.6 GB/s.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications, though they share the same core and thread counts.

Process and Die: The i7-2920XM uses a 32 nm process with 1,160 million transistors and a 216 mm² die. The Xeon X3470 uses a 45 nm process with 774 million transistors and a 296 mm² die.

Clocks: The i7-2920XM has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The Xeon X3470 has a base clock of 2.93 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

TDP: The i7-2920XM has a TDP of 55 W. The Xeon X3470 has a TDP of 95 W.

Socket: The i7-2920XM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B). The Xeon X3470 uses Intel Socket 1156.

Memory: The i7-2920XM supports dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. The Xeon X3470 supports dual-channel DDR3 with 21.3 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support.

Integrated Graphics: The i7-2920XM includes Intel HD 3000. The Xeon X3470 has no integrated graphics.

Market Segment: The i7-2920XM is a Mobile part from the Core i7 Extreme generation. The Xeon X3470 is a Server/Workstation part from the Lynnfield generation.

Multiplier: The i7-2920XM has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon X3470 does not.

Release Date: The i7-2920XM was released in early 2011. The Xeon X3470 was released in late 2009.

Launch MSRP: The i7-2920XM had a launch MSRP of $1096. The Xeon X3470 had a launch MSRP of $589.

Part Number: The i7-2920XM is identified as SR02E. The Xeon X3470 is identified as SLBJH.