Intel Xeon X5482

The Intel Xeon X5482 presents a classic multi-threaded versus single-threaded performance split, a hallmark of its Core 2 architecture lineage. With four cores and four threads operating at a 3.20 GHz base clock, the processor has no simultaneous multi-threading or boost functionality to augment its throughput. Benchmark results from Cinebench illustrate this clearly: in Cinebench R23, the single-core score of 330 is a very modest figure, placing it far below modern processors. However, the multi-core score of 2341 in the same test demonstrates a scaling factor of roughly 7x, indicating that the operating system can effectively utilize all four physical cores when the workload is parallelized. This suggests that for legacy server tasks that are heavily threaded, such as database transactions, virtualization hosts, or compilation jobs, the X5482 can still deliver respectable aggregate throughput. Conversely, for contemporary applications that rely on high single-thread performance, such as web browsing, office productivity, or gaming, the processor will feel severely dated, as its per-core efficiency is the primary bottleneck.

How It Compares

The Xeon X5482’s average benchmark score of 805 places it in a tightly contested group of processors from the same era, all within a 0.5% performance delta of each other. Against the AMD Athlon X4 850, the Xeon holds a negligible 0.1% advantage, with the AMD part scoring 806. This effectively means the two are performance equals in aggregate workloads, despite the Xeon’s higher clock speed and larger cache. The comparison with the Intel Xeon X3440 is similarly close, with the X5482 trailing by 0.4% (808 vs. 805). This is notable because the X3440 features a newer Nehalem architecture with integrated memory controller and hyper-threading, yet the X5482’s higher 3.20 GHz clock and dual-die design mitigate that architectural gap. The Intel Core i7-870S, another Nehalem-based part, also edges out the X5482 by 0.4% with a score of 809, showing that the older Core 2 derivative can hold its own against lower-clocked newer designs. Finally, the AMD A10-6800K, a much newer APU, leads this group by 0.5% with a score of 809, indicating that even a modern entry-level part only marginally outperforms this decade-old server chip in aggregate benchmarks.

Benchmark Performance

The Cinebench results provide a detailed view of the X5482’s scaling and raw capability. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the processor scores 235 points, which is a modest result that reflects its four-thread limit. Moving to Cinebench R20 multi-core, the score jumps to 983 points, showing an efficiency improvement in the benchmark’s rendering engine that favors the processor’s architecture. The most telling data point is the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2341, which is significantly higher than the R20 result, suggesting that the newer benchmark version better utilizes the processor’s cache hierarchy. The single-core scores are consistent across versions: 138 in R20 and 330 in R23. The ratio between multi-core and single-core in R23 (2341/330 = 7.09) indicates that the processor scales almost linearly with core count, a sign of a well-balanced design with no contention between cores. However, the absolute single-core scores are low; for context, a modern high-end desktop CPU scores over 2000 points in R23 single-core, making the X5482 roughly six times slower per thread. This disparity means that while the Xeon can match rivals like the Athlon X4 850 in aggregate, it will lag severely in any application that is not perfectly parallelized. The average benchmark score of 805, combined with its 21st percentile ranking among all CPUs, confirms that the X5482 sits firmly in the lower quartile of historical processor performance, suitable only for legacy systems or specialized multi-threaded workloads that do not require modern instruction sets.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Xeon X5482 perform in single-core versus multi-core workloads?

A: The processor achieves a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 330 and a multi-core score of 2341. This represents a 7x scaling factor, showing excellent multi-thread utilization, but the absolute single-core performance is low compared to modern parts.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for the Xeon X5482?

A: The average benchmark score is 805 points, placing it in the 21st percentile of all CPUs. This indicates it outperforms only about a fifth of all processors ever benchmarked.

Q: Which rival processor is most similar in performance?

A: The AMD Athlon X4 850 is the closest rival, with an average score of 806, a 0.1% difference from the Xeon’s 805. The two are statistically indistinguishable in aggregate performance.

Q: Does the Xeon X5482 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the processor supports ECC memory. It also has a dual-channel memory bus and supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory, depending on the motherboard.

Q: What is the production status and release date of the Xeon X5482?

A: The processor is end-of-life and was released on November 10, 2007. It is based on the 45nm Harpertown architecture with a die size of 2x 107 mm².

Q: How does the Xeon X5482 compare to the Intel Core i7-870S?

A: The Core i7-870S has an average score of 809, which is 0.4% higher than the Xeon’s 805. Despite the i7’s newer architecture, the Xeon’s higher clock speed keeps the performance gap minimal.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Xeon X5482 carries a thermal design power (TDP) of 150 watts, which is substantial for a quad-core processor of its generation. This TDP class indicates that the chip requires a dedicated server-grade cooling solution, typically a high-quality air cooler with a large heatsink or a low-profile server heatsink designed for 1U or 2U chassis. The 150W TDP implies that sustained multi-threaded loads will generate significant heat, necessitating adequate case airflow to prevent thermal throttling. The processor is built on Intel’s 45nm process node, which was efficient for its time but is far less power-savvy than modern nodes. For a system builder, this means the cooling tier should be robust: a tower-style air cooler with at least four heat pipes is recommended for workstation use, while server deployments should rely on the proprietary heatsink and fan assemblies designed for Socket 771. The absence of a boost clock means the processor runs at a constant 3.20 GHz under load, simplifying thermal management, there are no transient power spikes, but the sustained power draw is consistently high. Given its end-of-life status and 150W TDP, the X5482 is best suited for users who already own compatible hardware, as the power consumption and cooling requirements are disproportionate to its modest benchmark scores.