Core i5-4590S vs Xeon E3-1235

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-4590S vs Xeon E3-1235 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-4590S vs Xeon E3-1235: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-4590S

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $48 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $240 MSRP).
✅Delivers 25.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.7 vs 21.3 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $240 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1235 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1235, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon E3-1235

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,112 vs 5,131).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.3 vs 26.7 PassMark/$ ($240 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4590S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4590S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4590S better than Xeon E3-1235?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1235 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4590S is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4590S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-4590S is the better buy right now. Core i5-4590S comes in $48 cheaper on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $240 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1235 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 25.5% better value on MSRP (26.7 vs 21.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-4590S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4590S vs Xeon E3-1235 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-4590S

The Core i5-4590S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,131 points. Launch price was $291.

Xeon E3-1235

The Xeon E3-1235 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,112 points. Launch price was $287.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4590S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1235's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-4590S versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E3-1235 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4590S (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-4590S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1235 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4590S scores 5,131 against the Xeon E3-1235's 5,112 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-4590S. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4590S vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1235.

Feature	Core i5-4590S	Xeon E3-1235
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,131	5,112
Geekbench 6 Single	1,116	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4590S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1235 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4590S	Xeon E3-1235
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4590S) / not specified (Xeon E3-1235). The Core i5-4590S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon E3-1235 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4590S targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4590S rivals A10-7850K.

Feature	Core i5-4590S	Xeon E3-1235
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4590S was priced at $192, while the Xeon E3-1235 came in at $240. On launch pricing ($192 vs $240), Core i5-4590S was $48 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4590S delivers 26.7 pts/$ vs 21.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1235 — making the Core i5-4590S the 22.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4590S	Xeon E3-1235
MSRP	$192-20%	$240
Performance per Dollar	26.7+25%	21.3
Release Date	2014	2011

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