Core i5-4690 vs Xeon E3-1220 v6

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 i5-4690 vs Xeon E3-1220 v6 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 i5-4690 vs Xeon E3-1220 v6: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4690

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $100 less on MSRP ($272 MSRP vs $372 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.5 vs 15.0 PassMark/$ ($272 MSRP vs $372 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,584 vs 5,589).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌16.7% higher power demand at 84W vs 72W.

Xeon E3-1220 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 72W instead of 84W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4690 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.0 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($372 MSRP vs $272 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 v6 better than Core i5-4690?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v6 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4690 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, Xeon E3-1220 v6 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1220 v6 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E3-1220 v6 comes in 36.8% more expensive on MSRP at $372 MSRP versus $272 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. Core i5-4690 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 36.6% better value on paper (20.5 vs 15.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Xeon E3-1220 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and 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 i5-4690 vs Xeon E3-1220 v6 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4690

The Core i5-4690 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,584 points. Launch price was $346.

Xeon E3-1220 v6

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,589 points. Launch price was $193.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4690 and Xeon E3-1220 v6 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-4690 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690 scores 5,584 against the Xeon E3-1220 v6's 5,589 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v6. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690 vs 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1220 v6.

Feature	Core i5-4690	Xeon E3-1220 v6
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+11%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+17%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	5,584	5,589

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690	Xeon E3-1220 v6
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4690 was priced at $272, while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 came in at $372. On launch pricing ($272 vs $372), Core i5-4690 was $100 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690 delivers 20.5 pts/$ vs 15.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v6 — making the Core i5-4690 the 31% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4690	Xeon E3-1220 v6
MSRP	$272-27%	$372
Performance per Dollar	20.5+37%	15.0
Release Date	2014	2017

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