Core i5-4690K vs Xeon E3-1225 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 i5-4690K vs Xeon E3-1225 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 i5-4690K vs Xeon E3-1225 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 i5-4690K

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 49 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 E3-1225 v6 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,689 vs 5,740).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $243 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1225 v6 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌20.5% higher power demand at 88W vs 73W.

Xeon E3-1225 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 73W instead of 88W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4690K across 49 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 E3-1225 v6 better than Core i5-4690K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1225 v6 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 E3-1225 v6 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% 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 E3-1225 v6 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E3-1225 v6 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $243 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-4690K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (23.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1225 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 i5-4690K vs Xeon E3-1225 v6 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 E3-1225 v6

The Xeon E3-1225 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,740 points. Launch price was $213.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4690K and Xeon E3-1225 v6 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690K versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1225 v6 — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-4690K uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1225 v6 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690K scores 5,689 against the Xeon E3-1225 v6's 5,740 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1225 v6. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690K vs 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1225 v6.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Xeon E3-1225 v6
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+5%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+6%	3.3 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	5,689	5,740

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690K uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1225 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Xeon E3-1225 v6
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4690K) / not specified (Xeon E3-1225 v6). The Core i5-4690K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon E3-1225 v6 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4690K targets Desktop.