CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-880
Xeon W5580
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i7-880 vs Intel Xeon W5580
The Verdict
The benchmark data presents a remarkably close contest between these two Nehalem-era Intel processors. The Intel Xeon W5580 wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the margins are extremely narrow, every single delta is under 1%. The Xeon W5580's largest advantage is a 0.7% lead in both Cinebench R15 multi-core and Cinebench R23 single-core. The Core i7-880 trails by 0.6% in Cinebench R20 multi-core, Cinebench R20 single-core, and Cinebench R23 multi-core.
For a builder choosing between these two, the decision should rest on platform requirements rather than raw performance. The Xeon W5580 targets the server/workstation market, supports ECC memory, and uses triple-channel DDR3 with a 32.0 GB/s memory bandwidth figure. The Core i7-880 is a desktop part with dual-channel DDR3 and no ECC support. The desktop chip also draws significantly less power, 95W TDP versus 130W for the Xeon.
The performance data shows these chips are effectively equivalent in compute throughput. The Xeon W5580's 5-0 win record in benchmarks is statistically negligible given the sub-1% margins. The Core i7-880's higher boost clock of 3.73 GHz versus 3.47 GHz on the Xeon does not translate into a single-core benchmark victory, the Xeon still edges ahead by 0.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core and 0.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core. The Xeon's higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 3.07 GHz likely contributes to this outcome.
Choose the Xeon W5580 if you need ECC memory support, triple-channel memory bandwidth, or are building into a Socket 1366 workstation board. Choose the Core i7-880 if you prefer lower power consumption, a desktop-oriented platform, or already own a Socket 1156 board. From a pure performance standpoint, neither chip offers a meaningful advantage over the other.
Architecture Differences
Both processors share the same fundamental Nehalem architecture and 45nm process node, but they come from different codenames and serve different market segments. The Xeon W5580 uses the Gainestown codename and belongs to the Xeon (Gainestown) generation, while the Core i7-880 uses Lynnfield and belongs to the Core i7 (Lynnfield) generation. Both are built by Intel on a 45nm process.
The transistor counts and die sizes differ slightly. The Xeon W5580 packs 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die, while the Core i7-880 contains 774 million transistors on a larger 296 mm² die. Despite having more transistors and a larger die, the Core i7-880 consumes less power, 95W TDP versus 130W for the Xeon.
Cache configurations are identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Both use DDR3 memory, but the memory bus differs. The Xeon W5580 supports triple-channel memory with a rated 32.0 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core i7-880 uses dual-channel memory with no bandwidth figure listed in the data. ECC memory support is exclusive to the Xeon W5580.
Both processors use PCIe Gen 2, but the Core i7-880's specification notes "16 Lanes (CPU only)" while the Xeon listing simply says "Gen 2." Neither chip includes integrated graphics. The Xeon W5580 launched with a $1600 MSRP on March 29, 2009; the Core i7-880 launched over a year later on May 29, 2010, with no launch MSRP listed. Both are end-of-life products and neither has an unlocked multiplier.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?
A: The Xeon W5580 wins all multi-core benchmarks, but by fractions of a percent. It scores 296 versus 294 in Cinebench R15 multi-core (0.7% lead), 1234 versus 1227 in Cinebench R20 multi-core (0.6% lead), and 2940 versus 2923 in Cinebench R23 multi-core (0.6% lead).
Q: Does the Core i7-880's higher boost clock help it in single-core tests?
A: No. Despite boosting to 3.73 GHz versus the Xeon's 3.47 GHz, the Core i7-880 loses single-core tests. The Xeon W5580 scores 174 versus 173 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 415 versus 412 in Cinebench R23 single-core.
Q: Can I use ECC memory with the Core i7-880?
A: No. ECC memory support is listed as true for the Xeon W5580 and false for the Core i7-880. The Xeon also uses triple-channel memory while the Core i7-880 uses dual-channel.
Q: Which processor has better overall benchmark standing?
A: The Xeon W5580 sits at the 28th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 1012, while the Core i7-880 sits at the 27th percentile with an average score of 1006. The Xeon's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-2675QM at 0% delta; the Core i7-880's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-10210Y and AMD FX-9830P at 0% delta.
Q: Are these processors the same architecture?
A: Yes, both use the Nehalem architecture on a 45nm process from Intel. They differ in codename (Gainestown for the Xeon, Lynnfield for the Core i7) and market segment (Server/Workstation versus Desktop).
Q: What is the power consumption difference?
A: The Xeon W5580 has a 130W TDP while the Core i7-880 has a 95W TDP, a 35W difference in favor of the desktop chip.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Xeon W5580 | Intel Core i7-880 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.07 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 3.47 GHz | 3.73 GHz |
| TDP | 130W | 95W |
| Socket | Intel Socket 1366 | Intel Socket 1156 |
| Codename | Gainestown | Lynnfield |
| Generation | Xeon (Gainestown) | Core i7 (Lynnfield) |
| Transistors | 731 million | 774 million |
| Die Size | 263 mm² | 296 mm² |
| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Dual-channel |
| Memory Bandwidth | 32.0 GB/s | Not listed |
| ECC Memory | Yes | No |
| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |
| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |
| Launch MSRP | $1600 | Not listed |
| Part Number | SLBF2 | SLBPS |
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Xeon W5580 sweeps all five benchmark comparisons, but the margins are so thin that they fall within typical run-to-run variance. The largest delta is 0.7%, a difference of just 2 points in Cinebench R15 multi-core (296 versus 294) and 3 points in Cinebench R23 single-core (415 versus 412).
In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Xeon scores 1234 against the Core i7-880's 1227, a 0.6% advantage. The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows a 1-point gap: 174 versus 173, again a 0.6% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core produces a 17-point spread: 2940 versus 2923, also 0.6%.
The most interesting result is the single-core performance. The Core i7-880's boost clock is 0.26 GHz higher than the Xeon's, yet it loses both single-core tests. This suggests the Xeon's higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 3.07 GHz) and possibly better sustained boost behavior give it an edge in short single-threaded bursts. However, the practical difference is negligible, a 3-point gap in Cinebench R23 single-core will not be perceptible in real-world applications.
The average benchmark scores tell the same story. The Xeon W5580 averages 1012 points with a 28th percentile ranking; the Core i7-880 averages 1006 points with a 27th percentile ranking. Both chips sit near the Intel Core i7-2675QM and Intel Core i5-2300 in overall performance, with deltas of 0% and -0.2% respectively for the Xeon.
Where Each One Wins
The Xeon W5580 wins in every measured benchmark category, but the victories are too small to drive a purchasing decision. Its meaningful advantages lie outside the benchmark suite: ECC memory support, triple-channel memory with 32.0 GB/s bandwidth, and a server/workstation market designation. For a workstation build that requires error-correcting memory or maximum memory throughput, the Xeon is the clear choice despite its 130W TDP and higher launch MSRP of $1600.
The Core i7-880 wins on platform efficiency. Its 95W TDP makes it substantially easier to cool and less demanding on power delivery. It uses the Socket 1156 desktop platform, which may offer more motherboard options for consumer builds. Its dual-channel memory configuration is simpler and adequate for most desktop workloads. The Core i7-880's higher boost clock of 3.73 GHz gives it theoretical single-thread headroom, even though the benchmark data does not show a win there.
For software that leverages ECC memory or triple-channel bandwidth, the Xeon W5580 provides capabilities the Core i7-880 simply cannot match. For a general desktop system where power consumption and platform familiarity matter more than server-grade features, the Core i7-880 is the more practical pick. The benchmark scores indicate neither chip will disappoint in raw compute, they are effectively tied within measurement noise. The deciding factors are platform features, power envelopes, and socket compatibility.