Intel CPU: Core 2 Duo vs. Xeon Dual Core. Which is faster?

cpu microsoft-virtual-pc intel-core2 xeon

6,987

SPEC is always a good reference for this kind of thing. Here are their data for those two CPUs.

SPEC's result numbers are a ratio of the performance of the system to that of a Sun Ultra Enterprise 2. Roughly, the computer tested is "result" times faster than a UE2. Since all computers are referenced from that one benchmark, you can divide the results from two different computers and find their relative performances.

The CINT benchmark is integer-math based and the CFP benchmark is floating-point based. The "Rate" benchmarks test a fully loaded system and the non-"Rate", "Speed", benchmarks test a single process. That is, how fast can it do one thing versus how fast can it do a bunch of things at once.

You can find more data about SPEC's benchmarks on their web site, including information on the CPU2006 benchmark.

The Xeon is slightly faster, despite its slower clock speed. This is probably due to the Xeon's on-die memory controller, and the fact that it has HyperThreading, as shown by the fact that its "Rate" benchmarks show a greater improvement over the Core2 than the "Speed" benchmarks.

6,987

Daimon

I started programming in high school, making my own versions of popular games (Lunar Lander). I wrote some parts in Assembly Language. I eventually bootstrapped a healthcare startup to $3M revenue. I began my professional career working for consulting firms, then started my own software company and created 17 programs providing speech therapy to stroke survivors . I marketed and sold it worldwide. A few years ago, I fully automated my company so it wouldn’t need my involvement, freeing me for new challenges. I’ve spent my career helping technical and non-technical stakeholders understand each other’s needs. A few years ago, I returned to consulting, sharpening my skills in areas that I most enjoyed as a business owner. As I took classes and read a wide range of books, what particularly resonated was the importance of listening. For example, each sale happens in the prospect’s mind. They know what they want. They’ll tell us if we ask and listen with genuine curiosity. I first learned this selling our software. After I explained what a patient needed, caregivers often asked “how did you know exactly what we need?”. I just smiled, never revealing my secret: I asked curious questions. You told me. I listened. It turns out, that’s helpful in all sales, and all communication. I’ve loved consulting with a variety of businesses, but I miss learning & growing with a team working toward a common purpose. My Resume Portfolio

Updated on September 17, 2022

Comments

Daimon almost 2 years
1. Xeon: Dual Core Intel Xeon W3503 2.40 GHz, 4M L3, 4.8GT/s
2. Intel® Core2 Duo E8400 (6MB, 3.0 GHz, 1333FSB),
USES: Virtual PC (and doing software development within Virtual PC)
A little bit of video editing
Desktop software (like Outlook, Quickbooks, etc.)

I think #1 is faster, but wanted feedback from other folks here.

Which is faster and why?
Daimon almost 15 years

Any idea what "Result" is measured in? The Xeon (admittedly the slightly faster 2.5 Ghz) was 50% higher in "Result". (Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, 3 Ghz) 30.9 29.5 2 1 CELSIUS M470, Intel Xeon W3505 (2.5 Ghz) 47.4 45.9 2 1
wfaulk almost 15 years

I've updated my answer to flesh out what the SPEC results mean.