Core i7-4790K vs Xeon E3-1285L 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 i7-4790K vs Xeon E3-1285L 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 i7-4790K vs Xeon E3-1285L 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 i7-4790K

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, while Xeon E3-1285L v4 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,063 vs 8,092).
❌Launch MSRP is still $350 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1285L v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌35.4% higher power demand at 88W vs 65W.

Xeon E3-1285L v4

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 88W, a 23W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4790K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1285L v4 better than Core i7-4790K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1285L v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4790K 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 E3-1285L v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1285L v4 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E3-1285L v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-4790K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (23.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1285L v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 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 i7-4790K vs Xeon E3-1285L v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4790K

The Core i7-4790K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Devil's Canyon architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 88 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,063 points. Launch price was $339.

Xeon E3-1285L v4

The Xeon E3-1285L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 8,092 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790K and Xeon E3-1285L v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-4790K versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285L v4 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-4790K uses the Devil's Canyon architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1285L v4 uses Broadwell-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790K scores 8,063 against the Xeon E3-1285L v4's 8,092 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E3-1285L v4. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790K vs 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1285L v4.

Feature	Core i7-4790K	Xeon E3-1285L v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+16%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+18%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Devil's Canyon	Broadwell-DT (2015)
PassMark	8,063	8,092

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i7-4790K	Xeon E3-1285L v4
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—