Intel Pentium G4560T vs Intel Xeon X3460 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits cleanly: the Intel Pentium G4560T wins every head-to-head comparison in the database, taking all five Cinebench tests. The Intel Xeon X3460 does not record a single winning score against the Pentium. That makes the use-case split unusually clear. The Pentium G4560T is the stronger performer in both single-core and multi-core workloads, despite having fewer cores and threads.

For multi-threaded work, the Pentium's advantage is small but consistent. It leads by 1.2% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, by 1% in R20 multi-core, and by 1% in R23 multi-core. The Xeon's four cores and eight threads cannot overcome the Pentium's newer architecture and higher base clock in these tests. The Xeon's extra cores are offset by the Pentium's efficiency and per-thread throughput.

For single-core work, the Pentium also wins, but by a narrower margin. It leads by 0.7% in Cinebench R20 single-core and by 1.1% in R23 single-core. The Xeon's boost clock of 3.47 GHz is higher than the Pentium's fixed 2.90 GHz, yet the Pentium still edges ahead. This points to a substantial architectural advantage for the newer Kaby Lake design.

The overall database standings reflect this narrow but decisive gap. The Xeon X3460 has an average benchmark score of 866 and sits in the 23rd percentile of all CPUs. The Pentium G4560T averages 887 and sits in the 24th percentile. The Pentium also has a higher average score in the Geekbench tests, where it records 1237 multi-core and 594 single-core; the Xeon has no Geekbench entries in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from very different eras and design philosophies. The Xeon X3460 uses the Nehalem architecture, specifically the Lynnfield codename, built on a 45 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 774 million transistors into a 296 mm² die. The Pentium G4560T uses the Kaby Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process, also at Intel. Transistor count and die size are not recorded for the Pentium, but the process node difference alone is significant: 45 nm versus 14 nm represents multiple generations of manufacturing improvement.

Core counts differ sharply. The Xeon has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Pentium has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon's cache layout is larger in total: it has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the Pentium has only 3 MB of shared L3. Both share the same per-core L1 and L2 sizes: 64 KB and 256 KB per core respectively.

Memory support differs in generation and bandwidth. The Xeon supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel access and a memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. The Pentium supports DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, but with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, which is 80% higher. The Pentium also supports ECC memory, while the Xeon does not. PCIe generations differ as well: the Xeon uses PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Pentium uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics are present only on the Pentium, which includes Intel HD 610. The Xeon has no integrated graphics. The Xeon is a server/workstation part and is end-of-life, while the Pentium is an active desktop product. The Xeon launched on September 7, 2009 with a launch MSRP of $316. The Pentium launched on January 2, 2017 with no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are all close, but the Pentium wins every test. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core: the Xeon scores 253, the Pentium scores 256, a delta of -1.2% in favor of the Pentium. That is a three-point difference, within test-to-test noise, but the direction is consistent across all five comparisons.

In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Xeon scores 1057 and the Pentium scores 1068, a delta of -1%. The Pentium leads again. In R20 single-core, the Xeon scores 149 and the Pentium scores 150, a delta of -0.7%. The Pentium's single-core lead is the smallest of any test, but it still wins.

Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the Xeon at 2518 and the Pentium at 2544, a delta of -1%. The Pentium's lead here is 26 points. In R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 355 and the Pentium scores 359, a delta of -1.1%. The Pentium leads by four points.

The database also includes Geekbench scores for the Pentium only: 1237 multi-core and 594 single-core. These are not compared head-to-head because the Xeon has no Geekbench results recorded. The overall pattern is that the Pentium wins all five head-to-head tests, and its average benchmark score of 887 exceeds the Xeon's 866 by 21 points, a difference of roughly 2.4%.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are as follows. The Xeon has 4 cores and 8 threads; the Pentium has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Xeon's base clock is 2.80 GHz with a boost of 3.47 GHz; the Pentium has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and no boost clock. The Xeon's TDP is 95 watts; the Pentium's is 35 watts. The Xeon uses Socket 1156; the Pentium uses Socket 1151. The Xeon is built on 45 nm; the Pentium on 14 nm. The Xeon has 8 MB of L3 cache; the Pentium has 3 MB. The Xeon supports DDR3 with 21.3 GB/s bandwidth; the Pentium supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Pentium does not. The Xeon uses PCIe Gen 2; the Pentium uses Gen 3. The Xeon has no integrated graphics; the Pentium has Intel HD 610. The Xeon is a server/workstation part, end-of-life; the Pentium is a desktop part, still active. The Xeon launched in 2009 with a launch MSRP of $316; the Pentium launched in 2017 with no recorded launch MSRP. Both are multiplier-locked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon X3460 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Pentium G4560T has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Does the Pentium G4560T win any benchmarks against the Xeon X3460?

A: Yes. The Pentium G4560T wins all five recorded head-to-head Cinebench tests: R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in the head-to-head data?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Pentium leads by 1.2%. The smallest gap is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the Pentium leads by 0.7%.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon X3460 has an average benchmark score of 866, while the Pentium G4560T averages 887. The Pentium also sits in the 24th percentile of all CPUs, one point higher than the Xeon's 23rd percentile.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon X3460 supports ECC memory. The Intel Pentium G4560T does not support ECC memory.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Pentium G4560T includes Intel HD 610 integrated graphics, while the Xeon X3460 has no integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for general computing: the Intel Pentium G4560T. It wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, has a higher average score, a higher percentile rank, and does so while drawing far less power. Its 35-watt TDP is less than half the Xeon's 95 watts. It also offers faster memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s, a newer PCIe generation, and integrated graphics.

The Xeon X3460 still has a role, but only in specific legacy server or workstation contexts. Its 4 cores and 8 threads are useful for old multi-threaded server workloads, and its ECC memory support is a genuine feature that the Pentium lacks. Its larger 8 MB L3 cache may also help in cache-sensitive applications. But in every recorded benchmark, the Pentium wins, even in multi-core tests where the Xeon has twice the cores.

For someone building a desktop system today, the Pentium G4560T is the better choice based on performance, efficiency, and platform modernity. The Xeon X3460 is end-of-life, uses a dead socket, and cannot match the Pentium in any measured test. The only reasons to choose the Xeon are ECC memory support and the historical server/workstation positioning, but the benchmark data shows it is slower in practice.

The verdict is simple: the Pentium G4560T is the faster processor in every test the database records. The Xeon's extra cores do not translate into wins. Newer architecture, higher memory bandwidth, and a lower power draw make the Pentium the superior part for any workload represented in these benchmarks.