Core i7-4790 vs Xeon E5-4610 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 E5-4610 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 E5-4610 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

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 84W instead of 105W, a 21W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-4610 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4610 v3, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $339 MSRP, while Xeon E5-4610 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-4610 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+212.5% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,229 vs 7,263).
❌25% higher power demand at 105W vs 84W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4790 better than Xeon E5-4610 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4610 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4790 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% 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 the better buy right now. Core i7-4790 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $339 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4610 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-4610 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and 212.5% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4790 vs Xeon E5-4610 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 E5-4610 v3

The Xeon E5-4610 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,229 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-4790 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-4610 v3 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-4610 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790 versus 1.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-4610 v3 — a 80.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i7-4790 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-4610 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790 scores 7,263 against the Xeon E5-4610 v3's 7,229 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-4790. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4610 v3.

Feature	Core i7-4790	Xeon E5-4610 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	10 / 20+150%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+135%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+112%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+213%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	7,263	7,229

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-4610 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.