Intel Xeon E5472

The Intel Xeon E5472 is a 2007-era server/workstation processor built on the Core 2 architecture (codename Harpertown). It features 4 cores and 4 threads, a base clock of 3.00 GHz, and an 80 W TDP. Fabricated on Intel's 45 nm process with 820 million transistors across a dual-die package (2x 107 mm²), it was launched with an MSRP of $1022. The chip is now end-of-life, but its benchmark data remains relevant for legacy platform comparisons.

Benchmark Performance

Across the Cinebench suite, the E5472 produces modest results. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 199 points; in R20 multi-core, 832; in R23 multi-core, 1983. Single-core performance is similarly limited, with R20 single-core at 117 and R23 single-core at 279. These numbers reflect a 4-core/4-thread design without a boost clock, running at a fixed 3.00 GHz. The lack of turbo means that all cores operate at the same frequency under any load, which is typical for server parts of that generation.

The average benchmark score across all tests is 682, which places the chip in the 17th percentile of all CPUs in the database. This means it outperforms only 17% of tested processors, a clear indication of its age and limited multi-threading capability. For context, a score of 682 is far below the median of the database; the overwhelming majority of modern desktop and server parts exceed this figure. However, within its own performance class, the E5472 is tightly clustered with its nearest rivals.

Compared with its nearest rivals, the E5472 is essentially at parity. It matches the Intel Core i3-4000M exactly (0% delta), and it edges the Intel Xeon X5365 by 0.1%. It trails the Intel Celeron G3950 by 0.1% and the Intel Core m5-6Y57 by 0.2% in average score. These deltas are within the margin of error for synthetic benchmarks; the five processors occupy a narrow band of aggregate performance. The E5472's single-core and multi-core ratios are consistent with a 4-thread part: the R23 multi-core score of 1983 is roughly 7.1 times the single-core score of 279, which is close to the theoretical scaling for four threads with no hyper-threading.

The R15 multi-core score of 199 is low by modern standards but aligns with the R20 and R23 results when accounting for the different workload intensities. The R20 single-core score of 117 is the weakest of the suite, underscoring the chip's inability to boost. Overall, the benchmark data paints a picture of a processor that was competitive in its launch year but is now relegated to the lower end of the performance spectrum.

Power and Thermals

With a TDP of 80 W, the E5472 fits into a moderate power envelope for a server processor of its generation. The 45 nm process helps keep thermal output in check, and the absence of a boost clock means power draw remains steady under sustained load. This is advantageous for system integrators who need predictable thermal behavior in dense server chassis. The 80 W TDP class typically requires a standard server heatsink or a capable air cooler; liquid cooling is unnecessary. The dual-die package (2x 107 mm²) spreads heat across two substrates, but the total thermal load is still within the range of what a conventional Socket 771 cooler can handle.

The lack of a boost clock also simplifies power delivery design. Because the chip never exceeds its base frequency, the voltage and current requirements are fixed, reducing the risk of thermal throttling in poorly ventilated environments. The 45 nm lithography was a significant improvement over the previous 65 nm generation, contributing to the relatively low TDP for a dual-die server part. The E5472's power characteristics are therefore more aligned with entry-level workstations than with high-core-count servers of the same era.

How It Compares

Intel Core i3-4000M: The E5472 and the Core i3-4000M produce identical average benchmark scores (682, 0% delta). This is a notable result because the i3-4000M is a mobile processor from a later product family, yet the 2007 Xeon matches it in aggregate performance. The parity suggests that the E5472's higher base clock (3.00 GHz) compensates for its older architecture and lack of hyper-threading.

Intel Xeon X5365: The E5472 holds a 0.1% advantage over the Xeon X5365. Both are Xeon server parts, and the delta is within rounding error. The two chips are effectively indistinguishable in the database's average score, which is expected given their similar architectural lineage and core counts.

Intel Celeron G3950: The E5472 trails the Celeron G3950 by 0.1%, with the Celeron posting an average score of 683. The Celeron is a desktop entry-level part, but the performance gap is negligible. This shows that the E5472, despite its server orientation, does not offer a meaningful performance edge over a low-end desktop chip from a later generation.

Intel Core m5-6Y57: The E5472 is 0.2% behind the Core m5-6Y57, which has an average score of 684. The Core m5 is a low-power mobile chip, yet it slightly outpaces the Xeon. The delta is small, but it highlights how far mobile processors have advanced in efficiency while maintaining competitive performance.

Platform and Compatibility

The E5472 uses the Intel Socket 771, a platform designed for dual-processor servers and workstations. Memory support is dual-channel DDR2 or DDR3, depending on the motherboard, with ECC memory supported. This flexibility allows system builders to choose between older DDR2 modules or newer DDR3 boards, though the latter are more common in late-life Socket 771 motherboards. The chip provides PCIe Gen 2 connectivity, which was a standard for high-bandwidth peripherals at the time of release. It has no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for any display output.

The part number is SLANRSLBBH, and the processor is end-of-life. The Core 2 / Harpertown architecture is no longer in production, and Socket 771 motherboards are scarce on the modern market. Upgrade options within Socket 771 are limited to other legacy Xeon parts, but the platform itself is obsolete for contemporary workloads. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means overclocking is not supported, further constraining the chip's long-term utility. For anyone considering a legacy build, the E5472 offers a fixed 3.00 GHz base clock and dual-channel ECC memory support, but the platform's age limits expansion and software compatibility.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does the Intel Xeon E5472 have?

A: It has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the base clock speed?

A: The base clock is 3.00 GHz.

Q: Does the E5472 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: It supports DDR2 and DDR3, depending on the motherboard, in dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the average benchmark score and percentile?

A: The average benchmark score is 682, placing it in the 17th percentile of all CPUs.