Core i7-4770T vs Xeon E5-1620

Intel

Core i7-4770T

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2013
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-1620

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Core i7-4770T vs Xeon E5-1620 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 i7-4770T vs Xeon E5-1620 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 i7-4770T vs Xeon E5-1620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4770T

2013

Why buy it

  • +0.1% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $635 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
  • Delivers 254.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.4 vs 6.6 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
  • Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1620, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1620

2012

Why buy it

  • +25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (5,848 vs 5,854).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.6 vs 23.4 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
  • 188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4770T better than Xeon E5-1620?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4770T 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 i7-4770T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-4770T is the better buy right now. Core i7-4770T comes in $635 cheaper on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1620 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 254.4% better value on MSRP (23.4 vs 6.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-4770T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) 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 i7-4770T vs Xeon E5-1620 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-4770T

The Core i7-4770T 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,854 points. Launch price was $610.

Intel

Xeon E5-1620

The Xeon E5-1620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,848 points. Launch price was $313.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4770T and Xeon E5-1620 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-4770T versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1620 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-4770T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4770T scores 5,854 against the Xeon E5-1620's 5,848 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-4770T. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-4770T vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620.

FeatureCore i7-4770TXeon E5-1620
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache
8192 kB (total)
10240 kB (total)+25%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark
5,854
5,848
Cinebench R23 Multi
3,469
Geekbench 6 Single
612
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,250
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4770T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-4770TXeon E5-1620
Socket
LGA1150
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
375 GB
RAM Channels
4
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
40
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4770T) / true (Xeon E5-1620).

FeatureCore i7-4770TXeon E5-1620
Integrated GPU
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4770T was priced at $250, while the Xeon E5-1620 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($250 vs $885), Core i7-4770T was $635 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4770T delivers 23.4 pts/$ vs 6.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 — making the Core i7-4770T the 112% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-4770TXeon E5-1620
MSRP
$250-72%
$885
Performance per Dollar
23.4+255%
6.6
Release Date
2013
2012

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