Xeon X5550 vs i7-970

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-970
2010
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.12
+116%
Xeon X5550
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
1.91

Core i7-970 outperforms Xeon X5550 by a whopping 116% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-970 and Xeon X5550 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking14001976
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.320.32
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Power efficiency3.001.90
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Gainestown (2009−2010)
Release date19 July 2010 (14 years ago)30 March 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$662$62

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-970 and Xeon X5550 have a nearly equal value for money.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-970 and Xeon X5550 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores6 (Hexa-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.66 GHz
Boost clock speed3.46 GHz3.06 GHz
Bus rate4.8 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm45 nm
Die size239 mm2263 mm2
Maximum core temperature68 °C75 °C
Number of transistors1,170 million731 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-970 and Xeon X5550 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration12
SocketFCLGA1366FCLGA1366,PLGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-970 and Xeon X5550. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2no data
AES-NI+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Demand Based Switching-+
PAE36 Bit40 Bit

Security technologies

Core i7-970 and Xeon X5550 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-970 and Xeon X5550 are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-970 and Xeon X5550. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size24 GB144 GB
Max memory channels33
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s32 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-970 and Xeon X5550.

PCIe version2.02.0

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-970 4.12
+116%
Xeon X5550 1.91

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-970 6546
+116%
Xeon X5550 3027

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-970 497
+13%
Xeon X5550 440

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-970 2287
+25.5%
Xeon X5550 1822

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.12 1.91
Recency 19 July 2010 30 March 2009
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 8
Chip lithography 32 nm 45 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 95 Watt

i7-970 has a 115.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads, and a 40.6% more advanced lithography process.

Xeon X5550, on the other hand, has 36.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-970 is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon X5550 in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-970 is a desktop processor while Xeon X5550 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-970 and Xeon X5550, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-970
Core i7-970
Intel Xeon X5550
Xeon X5550

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-970 or Xeon X5550, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.