Core i7-4790 vs Xeon E3-1280 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 i7-4790 vs Xeon E3-1280 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 i7-4790 vs Xeon E3-1280 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 i7-4790

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.4 vs 29.0 PassMark/$ ($339 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Xeon E3-1280 v3

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $89 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Delivers 35.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.0 vs 21.4 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Draws 82W instead of 84W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,252 vs 7,263).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4790 better than Xeon E3-1280 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1280 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4790 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 i7-4790 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.7% 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 i7-4790 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4790 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1280 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-4790 comes in 35.6% more expensive on MSRP at $339 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1280 v3 is also 35.4% better value on MSRP (29.0 vs 21.4 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4790 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 i7-4790 vs Xeon E3-1280 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4790

The Core i7-4790 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 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: 7,263 points. Launch price was $303.

Xeon E3-1280 v3

The Xeon E3-1280 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,252 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1280 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-4790 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790 scores 7,263 against the Xeon E3-1280 v3's 7,252 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-4790. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v3.

Feature	Core i7-4790	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,263	7,252

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i7-4790	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4790 was priced at $339, while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 came in at $250. On launch pricing ($339 vs $250), Xeon E3-1280 v3 was $89 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790 delivers 21.4 pts/$ vs 29.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1280 v3 — making the Xeon E3-1280 v3 the 30.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4790	Xeon E3-1280 v3
MSRP	$339	$250-26%
Performance per Dollar	21.4	29.0+36%
Release Date	2014	2013

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