Core i7-4790 vs Xeon E3-1565L 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 i7-4790 vs Xeon E3-1565L 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 i7-4790 vs Xeon E3-1565L 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 i7-4790

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,213 less on MSRP ($339 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Delivers 353.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.4 vs 4.7 PassMark/$ ($339 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,263 vs 7,325).
❌140% higher power demand at 84W vs 35W.

Xeon E3-1565L v5

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 84W, a 49W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.7 vs 21.4 PassMark/$ ($1,552 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1565L v5 better than Core i7-4790?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1565L v5 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1565L v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1565L v5 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E3-1565L v5 comes in 357.8% more expensive on MSRP at $1,552 MSRP versus $339 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. Core i7-4790 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 353.9% better value on paper (21.4 vs 4.7 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E3-1565L v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014) 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 E3-1565L v5 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 E3-1565L v5

The Xeon E3-1565L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) 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: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L,LPDDR3 1600 MHz, DDR4 2133 MHz at 1.2V. Passmark benchmark score: 7,325 points. Launch price was $417.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1565L v5 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1565L v5 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-4790 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1565L v5 uses Skylake-H (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790 scores 7,263 against the Xeon E3-1565L v5's 7,325 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1565L v5. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4790	Xeon E3-1565L v5
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+14%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+44%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake-H (2015−2016)
PassMark	7,263	7,325

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1565L v5 uses BGA1440 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4790	Xeon E3-1565L v5
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4790 was priced at $339, while the Xeon E3-1565L v5 came in at $1552. On launch pricing ($339 vs $1552), Core i7-4790 was $1213 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790 delivers 21.4 pts/$ vs 4.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1565L v5 — making the Core i7-4790 the 127.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4790	Xeon E3-1565L v5
MSRP	$339-78%	$1552
Performance per Dollar	21.4+355%	4.7
Release Date	2014	2016

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