Intel Pentium Gold G6605 vs Intel Xeon E5630 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5630 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Pentium Gold G6605 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the base clock speed of each CPU?

A: The Xeon E5630 has a base clock of 2.53 GHz and a boost clock of 2.80 GHz. The Pentium Gold G6605 has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and no boost clock listed.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E5630 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Pentium Gold G6605 does not.

Q: Does either processor have integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Pentium Gold G6605 includes integrated graphics, specifically the UHD Graphics 630. The Xeon E5630 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The Xeon E5630 is end-of-life, whereas the Pentium Gold G6605 is listed as active in production.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon E5630 has an average benchmark score of 1110, while the Pentium Gold G6605 scores 1103, a difference of less than 1%. Both sit at the 31st percentile among all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from very different generations and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E5630 is built on the Westmere-EP architecture, using a 32 nm process node. It is a server and workstation part, designed for the Intel Socket 1366 platform. The Pentium Gold G6605, by contrast, uses the Comet Lake architecture (specifically Comet Lake-R) on a 14 nm node, targeting desktop systems with the Intel Socket 1200.

The most visible difference is in core configuration. The Xeon E5630 offers 4 cores with 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6605 provides 2 cores with 4 threads. This means the Xeon has double the core count and double the thread count of the Pentium Gold. However, the Pentium Gold compensates with a much higher base clock: 4.30 GHz compared to 2.53 GHz for the Xeon, which also has a 2.80 GHz boost clock.

Cache hierarchies also diverge significantly. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache differs: the Xeon E5630 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Pentium Gold G6605 has only 4 MB. This gives the Xeon a threefold advantage in total L3 capacity, which matters for workloads with large working sets.

Memory support reflects their intended markets. The Xeon E5630 uses DDR3 memory with a triple-channel memory bus and supports ECC memory, a requirement for many server and workstation environments. The Pentium Gold G6605 uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and has a listed memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, but it does not support ECC memory. PCIe capabilities also differ: the Xeon supports PCIe Gen 2, while the Pentium Gold supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The transistor count and die size are listed only for the Xeon E5630, at 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. No such data is available for the Pentium Gold. The Xeon also has a higher thermal design power at 80 watts versus 58 watts for the Pentium Gold.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers five Cinebench tests, and the Pentium Gold G6605 wins every single one. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Pentium Gold scores 384 against 324 for the Xeon, a delta of 15.6% in favor of the Pentium Gold. The Xeon loses this test despite having more cores and threads, which indicates that the Pentium Gold's high clock speed and newer architecture more than compensate for its lower core count.

In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Pentium Gold again leads with a score of 1601 versus 1354 for the Xeon, a 15.6% advantage. The Cinebench R20 single-core test shows a similar pattern, with the Pentium Gold scoring 225 against 191 for the Xeon, a 15.1% delta. The gap narrows slightly in single-core tests but remains consistent.

Cinebench R23 multicore gives the Pentium Gold a score of 3814 compared to 3226 for the Xeon, another 15.4% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Pentium Gold scores 538 versus 455, a 15.4% delta. Across all five tests, the deltas are remarkably uniform, ranging from 15.1% to 15.6%, all in favor of the Pentium Gold.

The Xeon E5630 records zero wins in the head-to-head comparison, while the Pentium Gold G6605 records five wins. This is a clean sweep in the benchmark data, despite the Xeon's advantage in core count and L3 cache size.

Specification Differences

The following specification fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: Xeon E5630 has 4 cores; Pentium Gold G6605 has 2 cores.
• Threads: Xeon E5630 has 8 threads; Pentium Gold G6605 has 4 threads.
• Base clock: Xeon E5630 at 2.53 GHz; Pentium Gold G6605 at 4.30 GHz.
• Boost clock: Xeon E5630 at 2.80 GHz; Pentium Gold G6605 has no boost clock listed.
• TDP: Xeon E5630 at 80 watts; Pentium Gold G6605 at 58 watts.
• Socket: Xeon E5630 uses Intel Socket 1366; Pentium Gold G6605 uses Intel Socket 1200.
• Architecture: Xeon E5630 is Westmere; Pentium Gold G6605 is Comet Lake.
• Process node: Xeon E5630 at 32 nm; Pentium Gold G6605 at 14 nm.
• Transistors: Xeon E5630 at 1,170 million; Pentium Gold G6605 has no listed figure.
• Die size: Xeon E5630 at 239 mm²; Pentium Gold G6605 has no listed figure.
• L3 cache: Xeon E5630 at 12 MB shared; Pentium Gold G6605 at 4 MB shared.
• Memory support: Xeon E5630 uses DDR3; Pentium Gold G6605 uses DDR4.
• Memory bus: Xeon E5630 is triple-channel; Pentium Gold G6605 is dual-channel.
• Memory bandwidth: Not listed for Xeon E5630; Pentium Gold G6605 at 42.7 GB/s.
• ECC memory: Supported on Xeon E5630; not supported on Pentium Gold G6605.
• PCIe: Xeon E5630 is Gen 2; Pentium Gold G6605 is Gen 3 with 16 lanes.
• Integrated graphics: None on Xeon E5630; UHD Graphics 630 on Pentium Gold G6605.
• Market segment: Xeon E5630 is server/workstation; Pentium Gold G6605 is desktop.
• Production status: Xeon E5630 is end-of-life; Pentium Gold G6605 is active.
• Release date: Xeon E5630 released in March 2010; Pentium Gold G6605 released in March 2021.
• Part number: Xeon E5630 is SLBVB; Pentium Gold G6605 is SRH3T.

Fields that are the same or not listed include L1 cache (64 KB per core for both), L2 cache (256 KB per core for both), and the fact that neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data does not show a single test where the Intel Xeon E5630 comes out ahead. Every recorded Cinebench result, whether multicore or single-core, is won by the Intel Pentium Gold G6605 with a delta between 15.1% and 15.6%. This includes the multicore tests, where the Xeon's extra cores and threads might normally be expected to help.

The Pentium Gold G6605 wins in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads in the Cinebench suite. Its 4.30 GHz base clock appears to be the decisive factor, as it also benefits from a much newer architecture and a more advanced 14 nm process node compared to the 32 nm node of the Xeon.

The Xeon E5630 does have structural advantages that are not reflected in these specific benchmark scores. It offers ECC memory support, a triple-channel DDR3 memory bus, and a larger 12 MB L3 cache. These features matter for server and workstation use cases where data integrity and memory capacity are priorities over raw Cinebench performance.

For workloads that rely on high clock speeds and modern instruction efficiency, the Pentium Gold is the clear choice based on the data. For workloads that require ECC memory, multiple memory channels, or a server-oriented platform, the Xeon retains relevance despite its lower benchmark scores.

The Verdict

The Intel Pentium Gold G6605 dominates the measured Cinebench comparisons. It wins all five head-to-head tests with consistent deltas around 15%, and it does so with fewer cores and threads, a smaller L3 cache, and a lower TDP of 58 watts versus 80 watts. Its 4.30 GHz base clock and 14 nm Comet Lake architecture give it a decisive edge in the recorded benchmarks.

The Intel Xeon E5630 is the older part, released in March 2010 versus March 2021 for the Pentium Gold. It is end-of-life, while the Pentium Gold is still active. The Xeon offers ECC memory support, a triple-channel memory bus, and a larger 12 MB L3 cache, which are meaningful for server and workstation environments. However, none of those features translate into a Cinebench win in the available data.

The choice between these two depends on platform requirements. For desktop users who prioritize benchmark performance, integrated graphics, DDR4 memory, and PCIe Gen 3 support, the Pentium Gold G6605 is the stronger option. Its launch MSRP was $86, and it carries a 31st percentile ranking among all CPUs.

For users who need a server or workstation platform with ECC memory, triple-channel DDR3, and a larger cache pool, the Xeon E5630 remains a viable legacy option. Its average benchmark score of 1,110 is nearly identical to the Pentium Gold's 1,103, and both parts sit at the 31st percentile overall. The data shows a modest performance gap in favor of the newer desktop chip, with the Xeon's niche features being its main justification.