Intel Core i7-870S vs Intel Xeon X5482 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-870S and Intel Xeon X5482 are two legacy Intel processors that, despite their different market segments, deliver nearly identical benchmark results. The data shows the i7-870S wins all five head-to-head comparisons, but the margins are razor-thin, with the largest advantage being a mere 0.7% in single-core performance. Neither processor holds a meaningful performance lead; instead, the choice between them hinges entirely on platform-level features, power characteristics, and the specific requirements of the workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results indicate a statistical tie across every test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-870S scores 236 against the Xeon X5482's 235, a 0.4% delta. The story repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i7-870S posts 987 versus 983, again a 0.4% advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the same pattern: 2350 for the i7-870S and 2341 for the Xeon, a 0.4% difference. In all multi-core tests, the i7-870S's 8 threads provide a slight edge over the Xeon's 4 threads, but the Xeon's higher base clock compensates for the missing hyper-threading.

Single-core results are equally close. The i7-870S wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 139 points over the Xeon's 138, a 0.7% delta, and Cinebench R23 single-core with 331 versus 330, a 0.3% delta. The Xeon X5482's base clock of 3.20 GHz is higher than the i7-870S's 2.67 GHz base, but the i7-870S's boost clock of 3.60 GHz closes that gap. The data reveals that neither architecture has a decisive single-thread advantage, making the 0.7% delta in R20 single-core the largest performance gap in the entire comparison.

The overall average benchmark scores confirm the parity. The i7-870S holds an average score of 809, placing it in the 22nd percentile of all CPUs, with the AMD A10-6800K as its closest rival at a 0% delta. The Xeon X5482 averages 805, also in the 22nd percentile, with the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U as its nearest match at a 0% delta. These numbers place both processors in the same performance tier, and the 0.4% average score difference between them is well within the margin of error for benchmark variance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 45 nm process node but use fundamentally different core architectures. The i7-870S uses the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, while the Xeon X5482 uses the Core 2 architecture with the Harpertown codename. The i7-870S packs 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die, whereas the Xeon X5482 has 820 million transistors spread across two dies, each measuring 107 mm². This dual-die design is a key structural difference, as it means the Xeon's cache is physically split.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. The i7-870S features an 8 MB shared L3 cache, which is absent on the Xeon X5482 entirely. The Xeon instead offers 6 MB of L2 cache per die, while the i7-870S has 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share the same 64 KB L1 cache per core. For multi-threaded workloads that benefit from shared data, the i7-870S's unified L3 is a structural advantage; for workloads that favor per-core L2 capacity, the Xeon's larger L2 slices could be beneficial, though the benchmark data does not show a meaningful difference.

Threading and memory support also separate the two. The i7-870S supports 8 threads via hyper-threading on its 4 cores, while the Xeon X5482 is a pure 4-core, 4-thread part. The i7-870S natively supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, whereas the Xeon X5482 supports DDR2 or DDR3 depending on the motherboard, also in dual-channel. The Xeon adds ECC memory support, which the i7-870S lacks, making the Xeon the more robust choice for error-sensitive server or workstation environments. The i7-870S uses Intel Socket 1156 with 16 PCIe Gen 2 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 771 with PCIe Gen 2 support, though the lane count is not specified.

The Verdict

Benchmark data shows these processors are functionally equivalent in raw compute performance, so the verdict comes down to platform requirements. The i7-870S wins on power efficiency and newer memory technology. Its 82 W TDP is dramatically lower than the Xeon X5482's 150 W TDP, a difference that reduces cooling requirements and operating costs. The i7-870S also has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, providing adaptive performance headroom that the Xeon, with no boost capability, cannot match.

The Xeon X5482 is the correct choice for server or workstation builds that require ECC memory and a dual-die cache topology. Its 3.20 GHz base clock is higher than the i7-870S's 2.67 GHz base, which means it sustains performance without relying on boost behavior. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $1279, but that figure is historical and irrelevant to current decision-making. The i7-870S's release date of July 2010 comes after the Xeon's November 2007 launch, so the i7-870S benefits from a later design cycle, yet the architecture differences do not translate into a performance win.

For a desktop user with a Socket 1156 motherboard, the i7-870S is the only viable option. For a server platform requiring Socket 771 and ECC, the Xeon X5482 is mandatory. The data does not support choosing one over the other based on speed, as the 0.4% average score difference is negligible. Instead, pick the processor that fits the socket, memory, and reliability requirements of the system.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The i7-870S has 8 threads versus the Xeon's 4 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.67 GHz for the i7-870S and 3.20 GHz for the Xeon, with only the i7-870S offering a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator: 82 W for the i7-870S and 150 W for the Xeon. Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1156 for the i7-870S and Intel Socket 771 for the Xeon. The architectures are Nehalem (Lynnfield) versus Core 2 (Harpertown). Transistor counts are 774 million versus 820 million, with die sizes of 296 mm² versus 2x 107 mm². Cache configs differ: the i7-870S has 8 MB shared L3 plus 256 KB L2 per core, while the Xeon has 6 MB L2 per die with no L3. Memory support is DDR3 only for the i7-870S versus DDR2/DDR3 for the Xeon, and ECC is exclusive to the Xeon. The part numbers are SLBQ7 for the i7-870S and SLANZSLBBG for the Xeon.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock?

A: The Intel Xeon X5482 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i7-870S's 2.67 GHz base clock. However, the i7-870S adds a boost clock of 3.60 GHz that the Xeon lacks.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-870S support ECC memory?

A: No. The i7-870S does not have ECC memory support. ECC memory is a feature exclusive to the Intel Xeon X5482 in this comparison.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-870S scores 2350, which is 0.4% higher than the Xeon X5482's score of 2341. This represents a performance advantage of 9 points for the i7-870S.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-870S has a TDP of 82 W, while the Intel Xeon X5482 has a TDP of 150 W. The i7-870S consumes 68 W less power under load.

Q: Are the sockets compatible?

A: No. The i7-870S uses Intel Socket 1156, while the Xeon X5482 uses Intel Socket 771. They are physically and electrically incompatible.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-870S has 8 threads from 4 cores, while the Intel Xeon X5482 has 4 threads from 4 cores. The i7-870S's hyper-threading doubles its thread count.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-870S wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, but its advantages are purely nominal. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (236 vs 235), Cinebench R20 multi-core (987 vs 983), Cinebench R20 single-core (139 vs 138), Cinebench R23 multi-core (2350 vs 2341), and Cinebench R23 single-core (331 vs 330). The i7-870S is the better choice for any workload that benefits from higher thread counts, such as lightly threaded rendering or multitasking, because its 8 threads allow better scheduling. Its 82 W TDP makes it suitable for compact desktop builds with modest cooling, and its native DDR3 support simplifies memory compatibility on Socket 1156 boards.

The Intel Xeon X5482 wins no benchmarks but holds its own in every test, trailing by at most 0.7%. Its higher base clock of 3.20 GHz makes it a consistent performer in single-threaded tasks that do not scale with boost clocks, since the i7-870S must ramp up to its 3.60 GHz boost to pass it. The Xeon's 6 MB L2 cache per die and dual-die design serve workloads that access cache locally per core, a pattern common in certain server-side database operations. Its ECC memory support and 150 W TDP indicate a workstation or server role where data integrity takes precedence over power efficiency. The Xeon is the only option for Socket 771 platforms, and the i7-870S is the only option for Socket 1156 platforms, so the motherboard choice ultimately dictates the winner.