Core i5-4670R vs Xeon E3-1220 v3

Intel

Core i5-4670R

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2013
VS
Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v3

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2013

Core i5-4670R vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i5-4670R vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 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 i5-4670R vs Xeon E3-1220 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4670R

2013

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.4 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).

Xeon E3-1220 v3

2013

Why buy it

  • βœ…+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $21 less on MSRP ($203 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 9.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.5 vs 23.4 PassMark/$ ($203 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4670R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (5,178 vs 5,233).
  • ❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4670R better than Xeon E3-1220 v3?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4670R is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4670R is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4670R is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i5-4670R is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-4670R comes in 10.3% more expensive on MSRP at $224 MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1220 v3 is also 9.2% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 23.4 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-4670R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4670R vs Xeon E3-1220 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-4670R

The Core i5-4670R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,233 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v3

The Xeon E3-1220 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013βˆ’2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,178 points. Launch price was $239.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4670R and Xeon E3-1220 v3 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-4670R versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v3 β€” a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-4670R (base: 3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-4670R uses the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013βˆ’2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4670R scores 5,233 against the Xeon E3-1220 v3's 5,178 β€” a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-4670R. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-4670R vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v3.

FeatureCore i5-4670RXeon E3-1220 v3
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 4
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz+6%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz
3.1 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
8192 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm
22 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013βˆ’2015)
Haswell-WS (2013βˆ’2014)
PassMark
5,233+1%
5,178
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4670R uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-4670RXeon E3-1220 v3
Socket
BGA1364
LGA1150
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4670R was priced at $224, while the Xeon E3-1220 v3 came in at $203. On launch pricing ($224 vs $203), Xeon E3-1220 v3 was $21 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4670R delivers 23.4 pts/$ vs 25.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v3 β€” making the Xeon E3-1220 v3 the 8.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-4670RXeon E3-1220 v3
MSRP
$224
$203-9%
Performance per Dollar
23.4
25.5+9%
Release Date
2013
2013

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