Intel Xeon W3570 vs Intel Xeon X5560 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a clear, though narrow, picture. The Intel Xeon W3570 wins every single recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Xeon X5560. Across the five Cinebench workloads, the W3570 takes a 1.0% to 1.2% lead in each instance. This is not a case of one processor dominating in one type of workload while the other excels elsewhere. Instead, the W3570 shows a consistent, if slight, edge in both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering tasks.

The largest margin of victory for the W3570 comes in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where it posts a score of 164 against the X5560's 162, a 1.2% advantage. The multi-core tests show nearly identical deltas, with the W3570 leading by 1.1% in Cinebench R15 (279 vs. 276), by 1.0% in Cinebench R20 (1165 vs. 1154), and by 1.0% in Cinebench R23 (2776 vs. 2749). The single-core Cinebench R23 result shows the same 1.0% lead (392 vs. 388).

Given these results, the use-case split is not about workload type but about tolerance for power draw and thermal output. The W3570 is the faster part in every measured scenario, but its performance advantage is marginal. The X5560, with a lower thermal design power of 95 watts compared to the W3570's 130 watts, offers a more power-efficient path to nearly identical performance. For users prioritizing the absolute top score in these specific benchmarks, the W3570 is the choice. For those needing to manage system thermals or power budgets in a dense server environment, the X5560's reduced power requirement makes it the more practical selection, despite its slightly lower scores. The data shows that the W3570 wins on performance, while the X5560 wins on efficiency.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Nehalem architecture and share the same 45 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. Each die contains 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die size. The core configuration is identical: 4 cores and 8 threads. The cache hierarchy is also the same, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR3 memory in a triple-channel configuration and include ECC memory support. Both use a PCIe Gen 2 interface and are designed for the Intel Socket 1366.

The primary architectural distinction lies in the codename and the clock speeds. The W3570 is part of the Bloomfield family, while the X5560 belongs to the Gainestown family. This is a naming distinction within the same Nehalem generation. The W3570 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.47 GHz. The X5560 operates at a lower 2.80 GHz base clock and 3.20 GHz boost clock. The higher clock speeds of the W3570 are the direct cause of its benchmark lead, as the underlying architecture, core count, thread count, and cache sizes are otherwise identical.

The thermal design power differs notably, with the W3570 rated at 130 watts and the X5560 at 95 watts. This reflects the higher operating frequencies of the W3570. The production status for both is listed as end-of-life. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a supported feature on either part. Both were released on the same date, March 29, 2009. The part numbers differ, SLBES for the W3570 and SLBF4 for the X5560.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon W3570 has a higher average benchmark score of 955, compared to 946 for the Intel Xeon X5560. This places the W3570 slightly ahead in the database's overall ranking.

Q: Are the two processors based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are based on the Nehalem architecture. The W3570 uses the Bloomfield codename, and the X5560 uses the Gainestown codename, but both are built on the same 45 nm process with 731 million transistors and a 263 mm² die size.

Q: How do the single-core performance scores compare?

A: The W3570 is ahead in both recorded single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 164 versus 162 for the X5560, a 1.2% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the W3570 scores 392 versus 388, a 1.0% lead.

Q: What is the difference in thermal design power?

A: The Intel Xeon W3570 has a thermal design power of 130 watts, while the Intel Xeon X5560 has a lower thermal design power of 95 watts. This makes the X5560 a more power-efficient option.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon W3570 and the Intel Xeon X5560 support ECC memory. Both also support DDR3 memory in a triple-channel configuration.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon W3570 has a higher boost clock of 3.47 GHz. The Intel Xeon X5560 has a boost clock of 3.20 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors share most specifications, but a few key fields set them apart. The most significant difference is in clock speeds. The W3570 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.47 GHz. The X5560 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. This 0.40 GHz difference in base clock and 0.27 GHz difference in boost clock explains the performance gap.

Thermal design power is another differentiator. The W3570 is rated at 130 watts, while the X5560 is rated at 95 watts. The codename also differs, with the W3570 using "Bloomfield" and the X5560 using "Gainestown." The generation field reflects this as well, listing "Xeon (Bloomfield)" for the W3570 and "Xeon (Gainestown)" for the X5560. The part numbers are unique to each model, with SLBES for the W3570 and SLBF4 for the X5560.

All other recorded specifications are identical. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads. Both use the Intel Socket 1366. Both are built on a 45 nm process with 731 million transistors and a 263 mm² die size. The cache layout is the same: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Both support DDR3 memory in a triple-channel configuration, include ECC memory support, and use PCIe Gen 2. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both are end-of-life products released on March 29, 2009, and both target the server and workstation market segment.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent pattern of the W3570 winning all five tests by a narrow margin. The largest relative win for the W3570 is in the Cinebench R20 single-core test. There, the W3570 scores 164 against the X5560's 162, a delta of 1.2%. This is the only test where the margin exceeds 1.1%.

In the multi-core tests, the margins are tight. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test has the W3570 scoring 279 and the X5560 scoring 276, a 1.1% difference. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows the W3570 at 1165 and the X5560 at 1154, a 1.0% lead. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test follows the same pattern, with the W3570 at 2776 and the X5560 at 2749, also a 1.0% difference. The final single-core test, Cinebench R23, has the W3570 at 392 and the X5560 at 388, a 1.0% margin.

The overall win tally is 5 wins for the W3570 and 0 wins for the X5560. The average benchmark score reinforces this, with the W3570 at 955 and the X5560 at 946. The closest rival to the W3570 in the database is the Intel Celeron N5105, which matches its average score of 955 with a 0% delta. The Intel Xeon W3550 and AMD Athlon X4 870K are also close, each with an average score of 956 and a delta of -0.1%. For the X5560, the nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G5400T and AMD Phenom II X6 1045T, both matching its average score of 946 with a 0% delta. These comparisons show that both processors sit in a tightly contested performance tier, where the differences between the two are smaller than the differences between them and several other CPUs in the database.