Core i7-4710HQ 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 i7-4710HQ 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 i7-4710HQ 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 i7-4710HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 47W instead of 72W, a 25W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Xeon E3-1220 v6 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,549 vs 5,589).

Xeon E3-1220 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4710HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $372 MSRP, while Core i7-4710HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌53.2% higher power demand at 72W vs 47W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4710HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 v6 better than Core i7-4710HQ?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v6 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4710HQ 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 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1220 v6 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1220 v6 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $372 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4710HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4710HQ vs Xeon E3-1220 v6 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4710HQ

The Core i7-4710HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,549 points. Launch price was $378.

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

The Core i7-4710HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220 v6's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-4710HQ versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-4710HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4710HQ scores 5,549 against the Xeon E3-1220 v6's 5,589 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v6. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4710HQ vs 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1220 v6.

Feature	Core i7-4710HQ	Xeon E3-1220 v6
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	5,549	5,589

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4710HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4710HQ	Xeon E3-1220 v6
Socket	BGA1364	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-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 i7-4710HQ) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v6). The Core i7-4710HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4710HQ targets Mobile.