Intel Pentium 6805 vs Intel Xeon E5630 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E5630 and Intel Pentium 6805 represent two very different design philosophies from Intel, separated by a decade of silicon evolution. The Xeon E5630 is a server-oriented Westmere part from 2010, built for multi-threaded throughput in a power-hungry workstation environment, while the Pentium 6805 is a low-power Ice Lake mobile processor from 2020. The recorded benchmark data shows a clear pattern: the newer Pentium 6805 wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database, despite having half the cores and threads. This analysis breaks down the architecture, the measured performance deltas, and the specification differences that explain why the smaller, newer chip consistently outperforms the older server part in Cinebench workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Xeon E5630 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Pentium 6805 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon has double the core count and double the thread count of the Pentium.

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

A: The Xeon E5630 has an average benchmark score of 1110, while the Pentium 6805 has an average benchmark score of 1099. The Xeon holds a marginal edge in the aggregate metric, with a difference of only 11 points.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Pentium 6805 scores 3801 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Xeon E5630 scores 3226. The Pentium wins by 575 points, a margin of 15.1 percent.

Q: Does the Pentium 6805 support ECC memory?

A: No, the Pentium 6805 does not support ECC memory. The Xeon E5630 does support ECC memory, which is a key feature for server and workstation reliability.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E5630 is built on a 32 nm process node, while the Pentium 6805 is built on a 10 nm process node. The Pentium uses a significantly smaller manufacturing process.

Q: What is the release date gap between these two processors?

A: The Xeon E5630 was released on 2010-03-15, and the Pentium 6805 was released on 2020-09-30. There is roughly a decade between their launch dates.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial and explains most of the performance divergence. The Xeon E5630 uses the Westmere-EP core design, part of the Westmere generation, and is fabricated on Intel's 32 nm process. The Pentium 6805 uses the Sunny Cove-Y core design, part of the Ice Lake generation, and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process. This node shrink is significant: the Xeon uses a 32 nm process with a die size of 239 mm² and 1,170 million transistors, while the Pentium uses a 10 nm process with a die size of 123 mm² and its transistor count is not recorded in the database. The smaller die and newer process allow the Pentium to achieve higher efficiency per clock.

The cache hierarchies also differ notably. The Xeon E5630 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The Pentium 6805 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. While the Xeon has three times the L3 cache, the Pentium compensates with a larger L1 cache per core and a much newer memory architecture. The Xeon supports DDR3 memory over a triple-channel bus, while the Pentium supports DDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus. The Pentium has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon's memory bandwidth is not listed in the database.

The feature sets diverge in other important ways. The Xeon E5630 is a server and workstation part with ECC memory support, and it uses PCIe Gen 2. The Pentium 6805 is a mobile part without ECC support, uses PCIe Gen 3, and includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics with 32 execution units. The Xeon has no integrated graphics recorded. The Xeon uses an Intel Socket 1366, while the Pentium uses an Intel BGA 1526 socket, reflecting the former's replaceable server design and the latter's soldered mobile design. The Xeon has a power draw of 80 watts, while the Pentium has a power draw of 15 watts, a difference of 65 watts that underscores the mobile focus of the newer chip.

The clock speeds tell a more complex story. The Xeon has a base clock of 2.53 GHz and a boost clock of 2.80 GHz. The Pentium has a base clock of 1100.00 MHz, which is recorded as 1100.00 in the database, and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The Xeon has a much higher base clock, but the Pentium has a higher boost clock. The Pentium's boost clock of 3.00 GHz exceeds the Xeon's boost clock of 2.80 GHz by 200 MHz. The Pentium's low base clock and high boost clock suggest a design that relies on aggressive turbo behavior to deliver performance when needed while conserving power at idle.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are unambiguous: the Pentium 6805 wins all five recorded comparisons. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Pentium scores 383 against the Xeon's 324, a delta of 15.4 percent in favor of the Pentium. This is notable because the Xeon has four cores and eight threads, while the Pentium has only two cores and four threads. The newer architecture and higher boost clock allow the Pentium to overcome its core disadvantage in this older Cinebench test.

In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Pentium 6805 scores 1596 against the Xeon E5630's 1354, a margin of 15.2 percent. The multi-core advantage persists in Cinebench R23, where the Pentium scores 3801 and the Xeon scores 3226, a delta of 15.1 percent. The consistency of these margins, all hovering around 15 percent, suggests a stable performance differential across different versions of the Cinebench suite. The Pentium does not just win in single-threaded workloads; it wins in multi-threaded workloads too, despite having half the cores.

The single-core results reinforce the pattern. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Pentium scores 225 against the Xeon's 191, a margin of 15.1 percent. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Pentium scores 536 against the Xeon's 455, another 15.1 percent margin. The single-core advantage is directly attributable to the architectural improvements in the Ice Lake design, particularly the higher boost clock of 3.00 GHz versus 2.80 GHz and the newer 10 nm process. The Xeon's Westmere architecture, released in 2010, simply cannot match the per-clock efficiency of the 2020 Ice Lake design.

The aggregate benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. The Xeon E5630 has an average benchmark score of 1110, while the Pentium 6805 has an average benchmark score of 1099. The Xeon is ahead by 11 points, a margin of about 1 percent. This aggregate metric includes a broader set of workloads than the Cinebench tests, and the Xeon's extra cores and threads likely help in other applications. However, in the specific Cinebench tests recorded in the database, the Pentium wins every time. Both processors sit at the 31st percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating that they occupy a similar overall performance tier despite their very different designs.

The nearest rival data provides additional context. The Xeon E5630's closest rivals, based on average benchmark score, are the Intel Core i7-5557U at 1110, the Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 at 1109, and the Intel Core i5-4570T at 1108. The Pentium 6805's closest rivals are the Intel Core i5-3450S at 1099, the Intel Xeon E5-1603 v3 at 1098, and the Intel Pentium Gold G6500 at 1101. Neither processor has a significant edge over its immediate rivals; the deltas are all within 0.2 percent. This suggests that both processors are average performers in their respective generations, with the Pentium 6805 representing a modern low-power design and the Xeon E5630 representing an older server part.

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals several key differences between the two processors. The core count is the most obvious: the Xeon E5630 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Pentium 6805 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon has double the cores and double the threads. The base clock speeds differ significantly, with the Xeon at 2.53 GHz and the Pentium at 1100.00 MHz. The boost clocks are closer, with the Xeon at 2.80 GHz and the Pentium at 3.00 GHz. The Pentium has the higher boost clock by 200 MHz. The power draw is vastly different, with the Xeon at 80 watts and the Pentium at 15 watts, a difference of 65 watts.

The memory support differs in type and channel configuration. The Xeon supports DDR3 over a triple-channel bus, while the Pentium supports DDR4 over a dual-channel bus. The Pentium has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon has no memory bandwidth figure recorded. ECC memory support is exclusive to the PCIe generations, with the Xeon at Gen 2 and the Pentium at Gen 3. The integrated graphics are only present on the Pentium, which has UHD Graphics with 32 execution units, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics recorded. The production status for the Pentium 6805 has a launch MSRP of $161, while the Xeon has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

The process node and physical dimensions also differ. The Xeon uses a 32 nm process with a die size of 239 mm² and 1,170 million transistors. The Pentium uses a 10 nm process with a die size of 123 mm², with no transistor count recorded. The L1 cache per core is larger on the L3 cache per core is larger on the Xeon at 12 MB shared versus 4 MB shared on the Pentium. The market segments differ, with the Xeon in the server and workstation category and the Pentium in the mobile category. Both processors are end-of-life, and both have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner in raw performance: the Intel Pentium 6805 outperforms the Intel Xeon E5630 in every recorded Cinebench benchmark. The Pentium leads by margins of 15.1 to 15.4 percent across all five tests, including both single-core and multi-core workloads. This is a decisive result for a processor with half the cores and threads, and it demonstrates the impact of a decade of architectural advancement. The Pentium's 10 nm process, higher boost clock of 3.00 GHz, and newer Ice Lake design overcome the Xeon's advantages in core count and L3 cache size.

The Xeon E5630 still holds a slight edge in the average benchmark score, 1110 versus 1099, and it offers features that the Pentium lacks. ECC memory support is critical for error-sensitive server and workstation workloads, and the triple-channel DDR3 memory bus provides a wider memory path. The Xeon also has a much higher base clock of 2.53 GHz, which may benefit sustained workloads that do not rely on turbo boost behavior. For users running legacy server applications or requiring ECC reliability, the Xeon remains a functional choice despite its age.

The Pentium 6805, however, is the better pick for most modern workloads. Its 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, PCIe Gen 3 support, and integrated graphics make it a more complete package for a mobile or compact system. The 15 watt power draw, compared to the Xeon's 80 watts, makes it vastly more efficient. The Pentium's launch MSRP of $161, stated once here, reflects its positioning as an accessible mobile part. The recorded data shows that any user choosing between these two for Cinebench-class rendering work should select the Pentium 6805 without hesitation. The Xeon E5630's remaining appeal lies in its ECC support and server heritage, not in measured performance.