Core i7-4790 vs Xeon E5-1620 v4

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 E5-1620 v4 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 E5-1620 v4: 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

✅Costs $827 less on MSRP ($339 MSRP vs $1,166 MSRP).
✅Delivers 240.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.4 vs 6.3 PassMark/$ ($339 MSRP vs $1,166 MSRP).
✅Draws 84W instead of 140W, a 56W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,263 vs 7,338).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-1620 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.3 vs 21.4 PassMark/$ ($1,166 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
❌66.7% higher power demand at 140W vs 84W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4790 better than Xeon E5-1620 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 v4 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 E5-1620 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-4790 is the better buy right now. Core i7-4790 comes in $827 cheaper on MSRP at $339 MSRP versus $1,166 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1620 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 240.4% better value on MSRP (21.4 vs 6.3 PassMark/$), 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 E5-1620 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014), 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB), 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 E5-1620 v4 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 E5-1620 v4

The Xeon E5-1620 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,338 points. Launch price was $294.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790 and Xeon E5-1620 v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v4 — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-4790 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790 scores 7,263 against the Xeon E5-1620 v4's 7,338 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-1620 v4. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790 vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v4.

Feature	Core i7-4790	Xeon E5-1620 v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+5%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	7,263	7,338+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4790	Xeon E5-1620 v4
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
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 E5-1620 v4 came in at $1166. On launch pricing ($339 vs $1166), Core i7-4790 was $827 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790 delivers 21.4 pts/$ vs 6.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 v4 — making the Core i7-4790 the 109.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4790	Xeon E5-1620 v4
MSRP	$339-71%	$1166
Performance per Dollar	21.4+240%	6.3
Release Date	2014	2016

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