Core i7-4770K vs Xeon E3-1241 v3

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 i7-4770K vs Xeon E3-1241 v3 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 i7-4770K vs Xeon E3-1241 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4770K

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,141 vs 7,169).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.1 vs 26.3 PassMark/$ ($339 MSRP vs $273 MSRP).

Xeon E3-1241 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $66 less on MSRP ($273 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.3 vs 21.1 PassMark/$ ($273 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Draws 80W instead of 84W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4770K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1241 v3 better than Core i7-4770K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1241 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4770K 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 E3-1241 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1241 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1241 v3 comes in $66 cheaper on MSRP at $273 MSRP versus $339 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4770K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 24.7% better value on MSRP (26.3 vs 21.1 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1241 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) 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 i7-4770K vs Xeon E3-1241 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4770K

The Core i7-4770K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,141 points. Launch price was $399.

Xeon E3-1241 v3

The Xeon E3-1241 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,169 points. Launch price was $273.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4770K and Xeon E3-1241 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4770K versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1241 v3 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-4770K uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1241 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4770K scores 7,141 against the Xeon E3-1241 v3's 7,169 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E3-1241 v3. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4770K	Xeon E3-1241 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,141	7,169

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i7-4770K	Xeon E3-1241 v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4770K was priced at $339, while the Xeon E3-1241 v3 came in at $273. On launch pricing ($339 vs $273), Xeon E3-1241 v3 was $66 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4770K delivers 21.1 pts/$ vs 26.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1241 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1241 v3 the 22% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4770K	Xeon E3-1241 v3
MSRP	$339	$273-19%
Performance per Dollar	21.1	26.3+25%
Release Date	2013	2014

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