Core i7-4700EQ vs Xeon E3-1240

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 i7-4700EQ vs Xeon E3-1240 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 i7-4700EQ vs Xeon E3-1240: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4700EQ

2013

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 47W instead of 80W, a 33W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Xeon E3-1240 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 19.6 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $273 MSRP).

Xeon E3-1240

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $105 less on MSRP ($273 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 37.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.6 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($273 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,361 vs 5,417).
❌70.2% higher power demand at 80W vs 47W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4700EQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4700EQ better than Xeon E3-1240?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1240 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4700EQ 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 i7-4700EQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4700EQ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1240 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-4700EQ comes in 38.5% more expensive on MSRP at $378 MSRP versus $273 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1240 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1240 is also 37.0% better value on MSRP (19.6 vs 14.3 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4700EQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4700EQ vs Xeon E3-1240 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4700EQ

The Core i7-4700EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 May 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E3-1240

The Xeon E3-1240 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,361 points. Launch price was $209.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4700EQ and Xeon E3-1240 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-4700EQ versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1240 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-4700EQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1240 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4700EQ scores 5,417 against the Xeon E3-1240's 5,361 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-4700EQ. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-4700EQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1240.

Feature	Core i7-4700EQ	Xeon E3-1240
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.3 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,417+1%	5,361

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4700EQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1240 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4700EQ	Xeon E3-1240
Socket	BGA1364	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4700EQ) / not specified (Xeon E3-1240). The Core i7-4700EQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon E3-1240 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4700EQ targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i7-4700EQ	Xeon E3-1240
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Mobile	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4700EQ was priced at $378, while the Xeon E3-1240 came in at $273. On launch pricing ($378 vs $273), Xeon E3-1240 was $105 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4700EQ delivers 14.3 pts/$ vs 19.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1240 — making the Xeon E3-1240 the 31.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4700EQ	Xeon E3-1240
MSRP	$378	$273-28%
Performance per Dollar	14.3	19.6+37%
Release Date	2013	2011

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