CPU Comparison

The Intel Pentium G4560 and Intel Xeon E5620 occupy nearly the same average benchmark score, yet they are fundamentally different processors from different eras. The data shows a fascinating split: the G4560, a modern dual-core with hyper-threading, edges out the older quad-core Xeon in every single head-to-head benchmark, but by razor-thin margins. The Xeon E5620 counters with a massive core and thread advantage and server-grade features, yet it cannot convert that hardware into a performance victory in these specific tests. This comparison is less about raw speed and more about what each design prioritizes.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a clear picture of use-case separation. The Intel Pentium G4560 wins all five head-to-head comparisons, but its victories are marginal, ranging from a 0% tie to a 0.2% lead. This suggests its advantage lies in efficiency per core and modern instruction handling, not in overwhelming compute power. Its benchmark wins in Cinebench R20 and R23, both single-core and multi-core, indicate that its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz gives it an edge in latency-sensitive and lightly-threaded workloads. For everyday desktop tasks, browsing, and light productivity, the data points to the G4560 as the more responsive choice.

The Intel Xeon E5620 does not win any of the listed benchmarks, but its strengths are architectural rather than score-based. With 4 cores and 8 threads versus the G4560’s 2 cores and 4 threads, the Xeon is designed for parallel throughput in server and workstation environments. Its triple-channel memory bus and ECC memory support are features the Pentium lacks entirely, making the Xeon the logical pick for systems that need reliability and memory bandwidth over raw single-thread speed. Even though the Cinebench scores show a near-tie, the Xeon’s design philosophy suggests it would handle multi-tasking and multi-threaded server workloads more gracefully, even if the benchmark suite here does not reflect that.

The wins are not about dominance; they are about margins. The G4560’s 0.2% lead in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1258 vs 1255) is statistically negligible, but it is a consistent pattern across all tests. This consistency implies the G4560’s architectural efficiency compensates for its halved core count. The Xeon’s 8 threads should theoretically crush a 4-thread part in multi-core tests, but the data shows it cannot. Therefore, the G4560 wins for anyone prioritizing modern desktop responsiveness, while the Xeon wins for anyone prioritizing a legacy server platform with ECC and triple-channel memory.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two is a generational chasm. The G4560 is built on the Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process, while the Xeon E5620 uses the much older Westmere architecture on a 32 nm process. This node difference is critical: the 14 nm process allows for significantly higher clock speeds at lower power, evidenced by the G4560’s 3.50 GHz base clock versus the Xeon’s 2.40 GHz base and 2.67 GHz boost. The G4560 has no boost clock at all, relying on its high base frequency, while the Xeon needs a boost mechanism to approach the Pentium’s speed.

Cache configurations also diverge sharply. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache tells a different story. The G4560 has only 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E5620 boasts 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a four-fold difference in the Xeon’s favor, which should help with larger working sets and server workloads. However, the Xeon’s older architecture and lower clock speeds negate this advantage in the Cinebench tests. The Xeon also has a transistor count of 1,170 million and a die size of 239 mm², whereas the G4560’s transistor count and die size are not listed in the data, highlighting the Xeon’s more complex physical design.

Memory support is another major fork. The G4560 uses DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a listed bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon uses DDR3 on a triple-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth is not provided in the data. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the G4560 does not. The G4560 has integrated Intel HD 610 graphics, while the Xeon has none, making the Pentium a complete package for a basic desktop. The G4560 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Xeon is stuck on PCIe Gen 2. Finally, the G4560 is on Socket 1151 and is marked Active, while the Xeon is on Socket 1366 and is End-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The five head-to-head benchmarks reveal a stunning pattern of near-identical performance. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, both processors score exactly 301 points, a perfect tie. This is the most telling result: a 2017 dual-core matches a 2010 quad-core in a multi-threaded render test, showing how far IPC improvements have come.

Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the G4560 scores 1258 against the Xeon’s 1255, a 0.2% lead. This margin is within noise, but it is a win. The single-core tests are even closer. In Cinebench R20 single-core, both score 177 points, another exact tie. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the G4560 scores 2996 versus the Xeon’s 2989, again a 0.2% lead. Finally, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the G4560 scores 423 versus 422, a 0.2% lead.

The data shows that the G4560 wins every benchmark, but the largest delta is a mere 0.2%. The Xeon’s extra 4 threads provide absolutely no multi-core advantage in these tests. The G4560’s higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs 2.40 GHz) is the likely driver of the single-core ties, while its modern architecture compensates for the lack of cores in multi-core tests. The Xeon’s 12 MB L3 cache and 8 threads are rendered irrelevant by its older core design and lower frequency. The average benchmark score confirms this: the G4560 sits at 1031 and the Xeon at 1029, a 0.2% difference that places them in the same performance tier.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet highlights where these two CPUs fundamentally diverge:

• Cores: G4560 has 2, Xeon E5620 has 4.
• Threads: G4560 has 4, Xeon E5620 has 8.
• Base Clock: G4560 is 3.50 GHz, Xeon E5620 is 2.40 GHz.
• Boost Clock: G4560 has none, Xeon E5620 has 2.67 GHz.
• TDP: G4560 is 51 W, Xeon E5620 is 80 W.
• Socket: G4560 uses Socket 1151, Xeon E5620 uses Socket 1366.
• Process Node: G4560 is 14 nm, Xeon E5620 is 32 nm.
• L3 Cache: G4560 has 3 MB shared, Xeon E5620 has 12 MB shared.
• Memory Support: G4560 uses DDR4, Xeon E5620 uses DDR3.
• Memory Bus: G4560 is dual-channel, Xeon E5620 is triple-channel.
• ECC Memory: G4560 does not support it, Xeon E5620 supports it.
• PCIe: G4560 is Gen 3 with 16 lanes, Xeon E5620 is Gen 2.
• Integrated Graphics: G4560 has Intel HD 610, Xeon E5620 has none.
• Market Segment: G4560 is Desktop, Xeon E5620 is Server/Workstation.
• Production Status: G4560 is Active, Xeon E5620 is End-of-life.
• Release Date: G4560 was released in 2017, Xeon E5620 in 2010.

These differences show a modern low-end desktop part versus an old high-end server part. The G4560 trades cores for clock speed and efficiency, while the Xeon trades clock speed for core count and reliability features.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Pentium G4560 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E5620 has a base clock of 2.40 GHz.

Q: Does the Xeon E5620 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E5620 supports ECC memory, while the Pentium G4560 does not.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E5620 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, which is four times larger than the 3 MB shared L3 cache on the Pentium G4560.

Q: What is the difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core scores?

A: The Pentium G4560 scores 2996, while the Xeon E5620 scores 2989, giving the Pentium a 0.2% lead.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Pentium G4560 includes Intel HD 610 integrated graphics, whereas the Xeon E5620 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Are these CPUs on the same socket?

A: No, the Pentium G4560 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Xeon E5620 uses the older Intel Socket 1366.

The Verdict

The data suggests a clear choice for modern desktop builders: the Intel Pentium G4560. It wins every benchmark, has a significantly higher base clock, uses a newer 14 nm process, supports faster DDR4 memory, and includes integrated graphics. Its 51 W TDP is much lower than the Xeon’s 80 W, and it is still in active production. For a basic, efficient desktop system, the G4560 is the only logical option.

The Intel Xeon E5620 is for a different, more niche audience. With 4 cores and 8 threads, ECC memory support, and a triple-channel memory bus, it is tailored for legacy server or workstation builds. The data shows it performs essentially identically to the G4560 in multi-core tests, but it offers features that the Pentium cannot: ECC reliability and a larger 12 MB L3 cache. If you are building a home server on a budget using old Socket 1366 hardware and need ECC, the Xeon is the pick. However, its end-of-life status, older 32 nm process, and lack of integrated graphics make it a poor choice for any new desktop build. The verdict is that the G4560 wins for everyday use, while the Xeon wins for specific server-oriented tasks requiring ECC and legacy platform support.