Intel Xeon W3550 vs Intel Xeon X5570 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data for the Intel Xeon X5570 and Intel Xeon W3550 shows a remarkably consistent pattern. Across all five Cinebench tests, the X5570 comes out ahead, though the margins are uniformly narrow. The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the X5570 scores 283 against 279 for the W3550, a 1.4 percent advantage. That is the single biggest delta in the entire comparison, and it is still a small one.

The other multi-core tests follow suit. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the X5570 posts 1180 versus 1166, a 1.2 percent lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 2810 compared to 2778, again a 1.2 percent difference. The single-core results are just as tight. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the X5570 scores 166 while the W3550 scores 164, a 1.2 percent edge. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the X5570 records 396 against 392, a 1.0 percent margin.

The win tally is decisive in one sense: the X5570 wins all five head-to-head matchups, while the W3550 wins none. But the magnitude of those wins tells a different story. Every delta sits between 1.0 and 1.4 percent, which is within the range of run-to-run variation for this generation of hardware. The data indicates the X5570 is consistently faster, but it is not dramatically so. This is a photo finish, not a knockout.

Looking at the broader database context, both processors occupy the same percentile ranking. The X5570 sits at the 26th percentile of all CPUs, and the W3550 also sits at the 26th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are 967 and 956 respectively, a gap of roughly 1.2 percent that mirrors the head-to-head results. The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce how close this pairing is. The X5570's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U with an average score of 968, a 0.1 percent difference. The W3550's closest rival is the AMD Athlon X4 870K at 956, matching it exactly with a 0.0 percent delta. Both chips are effectively neck-and-neck with a cluster of mid-range processors from a much later era.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark distribution, the X5570 wins every category that the database measures. That includes multi-core workloads, where its Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 scores all exceed the W3550's. It also includes single-core workloads, where its R20 and R23 scores are higher. For users prioritizing raw throughput in rendering or encoding tasks, the X5570 holds the edge, however slim.

The W3550 does have one advantage, and it is not in performance. Its base clock is higher at 3.07 GHz compared to 2.93 GHz for the X5570. The boost clocks are identical at 3.33 GHz for both. In theory, the higher base clock could help in workloads that sustain all-core loads without reaching boost frequencies, but the benchmark data does not show this translating into a win. The X5570 still takes every recorded test. So the W3550's base clock advantage appears to be neutralized by other factors, likely thermal or power management behavior.

Another point in the W3550's favor is its release date. The database lists it as arriving on 2009-08-08, several months after the X5570's 2009-03-29 launch. Neither chip is current, and both are marked as end-of-life. But for someone looking at the historical record, the W3550 is the newer part. That does not change the benchmark outcomes, but it is a relevant detail for understanding the product timeline.

The use-case split is therefore straightforward. The X5570 is the pick for anyone whose work is heavily threaded or lightly threaded, because it wins every measured test. The W3550 is the pick for someone who values the higher base clock and the later release date, but they would have to accept losing every benchmark comparison. The data does not support choosing the W3550 on performance grounds.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture. They are built on the Nehalem design, with the X5570 using the Gainestown codename and the W3550 using Bloomfield. Both use a 45 nm process node from Intel's own foundry, and both pack 731 million transistors onto a 263 mm² die. The core counts match at 4 cores and 8 threads each. Cache configurations are identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3.

Memory support is also the same. Both chips support DDR3 with a triple-channel memory bus. The X5570 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 32.0 GB/s, while the W3550's memory bandwidth is not listed in the database. Both support ECC memory, which makes sense given their server and workstation market segment. Both use PCIe Gen 2 and fit the Intel Socket 1366. Neither has integrated graphics.

The key differences are in clock speeds and power. The W3550 has a base clock of 3.07 GHz versus 2.93 GHz for the X5570, a 4.8 percent higher base frequency. The boost clocks are equal at 3.33 GHz. The W3550 also has a much higher TDP at 130 watts, compared to 95 watts for the X5570. That is a 36.8 percent increase in thermal design power. The higher base clock likely explains some of that power draw, but the gap is substantial.

The release cadence differs as well. The X5570 came out in March 2009, while the W3550 followed in August 2009. Both are end-of-life products now. The X5570 carries a launch MSRP of $1386, while the W3550 has no listed launch MSRP in the database. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an official feature.

The part numbers differ, with the X5570 labeled SLBF3 and the W3550 labeled SLBEY. These are minor identifiers, but they confirm the two chips are distinct silicon revisions even though they share the same underlying die and transistor count. The codename difference, Gainestown versus Bloomfield, reflects their intended market positioning. Gainestown was the Xeon server variant, while Bloomfield was the desktop-derived workstation variant. The silicon is nearly identical, but the validation and binning targets were different.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear, if narrow, winner. The Intel Xeon X5570 outperforms the Intel Xeon W3550 in every recorded test. Its margins range from 1.0 percent in Cinebench R23 single-core to 1.4 percent in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Across the board, the X5570 is the faster processor.

For multi-core workloads, such as video rendering or batch processing, the X5570's Cinebench R23 score of 2810 versus 2778 gives it a 1.2 percent advantage. For single-core tasks, like legacy software or lightly threaded applications, the X5570's R23 single-core score of 396 versus 392 provides a 1.0 percent edge. Neither gap is transformative, but the consistency matters. The X5570 never loses a test, and it ties the W3550's percentile ranking of 26 while posting a higher average score of 967 against 956.

The W3550 does have a higher base clock at 3.07 GHz, and it is a later release. But the data shows those factors do not translate into benchmark wins. The X5570 manages to beat it despite a 0.14 GHz lower base clock, likely due to more efficient boost behavior or better power management within its 95 watt TDP. The W3550's 130 watt TDP is a significant drawback for anyone building a system around these chips, since it demands more cooling and power delivery for no measured performance benefit.

The verdict is straightforward. The X5570 is the better choice for anyone prioritizing benchmark performance. The W3550 is only preferable if the higher base clock is somehow critical, and the recorded data gives no indication that it is. For all practical purposes, the X5570 is the superior part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The Intel Xeon X5570 wins all five head-to-head tests. The Intel Xeon W3550 wins none.

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two chips?

A: The largest delta is 1.4 percent, in Cinebench R15 multi-core. The smallest is 1.0 percent, in Cinebench R23 single-core. All other deltas are 1.2 percent.

Q: Do the two processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. They also share the same L1, L2, and L3 cache sizes.

Q: What is the difference in base clock speeds?

A: The Xeon W3550 has a base clock of 3.07 GHz, while the Xeon X5570 has a base clock of 2.93 GHz. Their boost clocks are identical at 3.33 GHz.

Q: How do their thermal design powers compare?

A: The Xeon X5570 has a TDP of 95 watts. The Xeon W3550 has a TDP of 130 watts.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Xeon X5570 has an average score of 967, while the Xeon W3550 has an average score of 956. Both sit at the 26th percentile of all CPUs.