Intel Xeon X7460

Intel Xeon X7460 is a six-core server processor from the Dunnington generation, built on Intel’s 45nm process with 1,900 million transistors and a 503 mm² die. It operates at a base clock of 2.67 GHz with no boost clock, carries a 130W TDP, and fits the Intel Socket 604 platform. Its benchmark percentile versus all CPUs sits at 50, placing it exactly at the median of the database.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The X7460 presents a purely symmetric configuration: six cores and six threads, meaning no Hyper-Threading support. Each core has 64 KB of L1 cache, each module contains 3 MB of L2 cache, and the chip shares 16 MB of L3 cache. This cache hierarchy is substantial for a 2008-era processor, but the lack of simultaneous multithreading means the CPU can only process six instruction streams at once.

In single-threaded workloads, the 2.67 GHz base clock is the sole driver. There is no turbo or boost mechanism to raise frequency under light load, so single-core performance is entirely bound by that fixed rate. The data shows this processor will deliver consistent, predictable single-thread results, but it will not adapt to bursty workloads that benefit from temporary frequency spikes. For tasks like legacy database queries or older enterprise applications that rely on one primary thread, the X7460 will perform at a level dictated purely by its 2.67 GHz clock and the Core 2 architecture’s IPC.

Multi-threaded behavior is where this chip’s design intent becomes clear. Six physical cores with shared L3 cache and quad-channel memory support indicate a focus on parallel throughput. The 16 MB shared L3 cache is particularly relevant for multi-threaded server workloads where multiple cores access common data sets, reducing the need to repeatedly fetch from system memory. However, the absence of SMT means that scaling from six to twelve threads is impossible; software must be explicitly written for six or fewer threads to see linear gains. In practice, this means the X7460 excels at moderate parallelism, such as virtual machine consolidation or mid-tier database serving, but will lag behind processors offering both more cores and thread duplication.

The split between single-thread and multi-thread behavior is stark: no dynamic frequency adjustment means single-thread performance is static, while multi-thread performance is capped at six concurrent operations. Real workloads that mix both patterns—such as a web server handling many small requests alongside a few heavy computations—will see the six cores share the load evenly, but the lack of turbo will limit peak responsiveness on any single request.

Who Should Consider It

The X7460 targets server and workstation environments where stable, sustained multi-core throughput matters more than peak single-core speed. For database workloads that are parallelized across multiple queries, the six cores and 16 MB L3 cache provide a solid foundation. The quad-channel memory bus, delivering 21.3 GB/s of bandwidth, supports memory-intensive operations such as large in-memory caches or data warehousing queries that scan broad table segments.

For gaming, this processor is not suitable. The fixed 2.67 GHz clock and lack of boost mean it will struggle with modern game engines that favor high single-thread performance. The data shows no integrated graphics beyond a chipset feature on certain motherboards, so a discrete GPU is mandatory, but the CPU’s modest clock will bottleneck even mid-range graphics cards in CPU-bound scenarios.

For content creation, the X7460 offers a mixed profile. Video encoding and 3D rendering tasks that scale across six cores will see reasonable throughput, especially with the large shared L3 cache reducing memory stalls. However, tasks like photo editing or audio processing that rely heavily on single-thread performance will not benefit from the six-core design. Office productivity, such as spreadsheet calculations or document processing, is adequate but unremarkable; the processor’s strength lies in sustained parallel loads, not interactive responsiveness.

The 130W TDP indicates a power-hungry part, meaning it belongs in rack-mounted servers or workstations with robust cooling, not compact desktop cases. The end-of-life production status signals that it is a legacy component, best suited for upgrading existing Socket 604 platforms rather than new builds.

Benchmark Performance

The database reports an average benchmark score of 0 and a percentile of 50, with no nearest rivals listed. This makes direct numerical comparison impossible, but the percentile placement at the exact midpoint of all CPUs provides a reference point. The X7460 sits in the middle of the performance distribution, meaning it outperforms half of the processors in the database and underperforms the other half.

Given the lack of rival scores, the analysis must rely on architectural attributes. The 2.67 GHz clock on six cores, combined with 16 MB L3 cache, suggests multi-threaded performance that is competitive with other six-core processors of its era but far behind modern chips with higher clocks and more cores. The 21.3 GB/s memory bandwidth is modest by contemporary standards, but for 2008 hardware, it aligned with quad-channel DDR2/DDR3 capabilities. The 130W TDP for six cores indicates a relatively efficient design for its time, but it cannot match the power efficiency of newer nodes.

The absence of boost clock and the lack of SMT mean the X7460’s raw compute capacity is fixed. In single-thread benchmarks, it would score based solely on its IPC and 2.67 GHz clock, likely placing it below many dual-core processors from later generations that achieve higher frequencies. In multi-thread benchmarks, it would leverage all six cores, but without hyper-threading, its maximum thread count is six, limiting its ability to compete with eight-core or twelve-thread parts.

Platform and Compatibility

The X7460 uses the Intel Socket 604, a platform designed for multi-processor servers. It supports DDR2 and DDR3 memory in a quad-channel configuration, yielding a theoretical memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. ECC memory is supported, which is essential for server reliability. The chipset feature on certain motherboards provides integrated graphics, but this is not a core CPU capability.

The socket architecture suggests a multi-socket capable platform, typical of Xeon MP processors. This allows for scaling across multiple physical CPUs, each with six cores, in a single motherboard. The memory bus is quad-channel, which means four memory sticks are accessed in parallel, improving bandwidth for multi-threaded workloads that stream data.

The PCIe support is not specified in the data, so no conclusions can be drawn about expansion capabilities. The upgrade path is limited: as an end-of-life processor, there are no newer chips on the same socket. Users are confined to the Xeon MP Dunnington lineup, which shares the same architecture. The 45nm process and 1,900 million transistors represent the final iteration of the Core 2 architecture, so no future architectural improvements are available on this platform.

The lack of an unlocked multiplier means overclocking is not possible, reinforcing the server-grade positioning where stability is prioritized over performance tuning. The launch MSRP is $2729, reflecting its premium server market placement at release.

How It Compares

Since the nearestRivals list is empty, the X7460 cannot be positioned against specific alternatives using percentage deltas. The percentile of 50 provides a general anchor: this processor is exactly average among all CPUs in the database. In a typical server workload, it would offer six cores at 2.67 GHz with 16 MB L3, which is a balanced configuration for mid-range enterprise tasks. Against later six-core processors with higher clocks and SMT, it would likely fall behind in both single-thread and multi-thread scores, but the absence of rival data prevents quantification. Against earlier dual-core Xeons, it would offer triple the core count and substantially more cache, making it a clear upgrade for parallel workloads. The 130W TDP is moderate for a six-core server chip, suggesting it runs cooler than some eight-core alternatives, but this is speculative without rival data.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Xeon X7460?

A: The X7460 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no Hyper-Threading support.

Q: Does the X7460 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported, which is typical for server processors.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the X7460?

A: The memory bandwidth is 21.3 GB/s via a quad-channel DDR2/DDR3 memory bus.

Q: Can the X7460 be overclocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking.

Q: What is the production status of the X7460?

A: The processor is end-of-life, meaning it is no longer in active production.

Q: What socket does the X7460 use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 604, designed for multi-processor server platforms.