Core i5-4690K vs Xeon E3-1220 v5

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 i5-4690K vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 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 i5-4690K vs Xeon E3-1220 v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4690K

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Xeon E3-1220 v5 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,689 vs 5,713).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.4 vs 28.1 PassMark/$ ($243 MSRP vs $203 MSRP).

Xeon E3-1220 v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $40 less on MSRP ($203 MSRP vs $243 MSRP).
✅Delivers 20.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.1 vs 23.4 PassMark/$ ($203 MSRP vs $243 MSRP).
✅Draws 80W instead of 88W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4690K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4690K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 v5 better than Core i5-4690K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4690K 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 v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% 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 v5 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1220 v5 comes in $40 cheaper on MSRP at $203 MSRP versus $243 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-4690K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 20.2% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 23.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E3-1220 v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 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 i5-4690K vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4690K

The Core i5-4690K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 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): 88 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,689 points. Launch price was $300.

Xeon E3-1220 v5

The Xeon E3-1220 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,713 points. Launch price was $203.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4690K and Xeon E3-1220 v5 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690K versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-4690K uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690K scores 5,689 against the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 5,713 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v5. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690K vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v5.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Xeon E3-1220 v5
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 (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	5,689	5,713

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690K uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Xeon E3-1220 v5
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4690K) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v5). The Core i5-4690K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4690K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Xeon E3-1220 v5
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4690K was priced at $243, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 came in at $203. On launch pricing ($243 vs $203), Xeon E3-1220 v5 was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690K delivers 23.4 pts/$ vs 28.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — making the Xeon E3-1220 v5 the 18.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Xeon E3-1220 v5
MSRP	$243	$203-16%
Performance per Dollar	23.4	28.1+20%
Release Date	2014	2015

Search Core i5-4690K on Amazon

Search Xeon E3-1220 v5 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.