Core i7-4722HQ 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 i7-4722HQ 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 i7-4722HQ 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 i7-4722HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 1W instead of 80W, a 79W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1220 v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4722HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,713 vs 5,768).
❌Launch MSRP is still $203 MSRP, while Core i7-4722HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌7900% higher power demand at 80W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4722HQ better than Xeon E3-1220 v5?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4722HQ is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4722HQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4722HQ 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 i7-4722HQ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1220 v5 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-4722HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $203 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1220 v5 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4722HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4722HQ vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4722HQ

The Core i7-4722HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,768 points. Launch price was $378.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4722HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-4722HQ versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v5 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-4722HQ uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4722HQ scores 5,768 against the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 5,713 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-4722HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-4722HQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v5.

Feature	Core i7-4722HQ	Xeon E3-1220 v5
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	5,768	5,713

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4722HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.