Core i7-4790K vs Xeon E5-1650

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 E5-1650 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 E5-1650: 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: +14.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 88W instead of 130W, a 42W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, while Xeon E5-1650 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1650, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $350 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1650 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-1650

2012

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,056 vs 8,063).
❌47.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 88W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4790K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4790K better than Xeon E5-1650?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1650 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4790K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.9% 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 i7-4790K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4790K is the better buy right now. Core i7-4790K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $350 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-4790K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4790K vs Xeon E5-1650 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 E5-1650

The Xeon E5-1650 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,056 points. Launch price was $175.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4790K packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1650 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-1650 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-4790K versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1650 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-4790K uses the Devil's Canyon architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-1650 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790K scores 8,063 against the Xeon E5-1650's 8,056 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-4790K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790K vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1650.

Feature	Core i7-4790K	Xeon E5-1650
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+16%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+25%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12288 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Devil's Canyon	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,063	8,056

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790K uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1650 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Xeon E5-1650 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-4790K) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1650). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-4790K) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1650) — the Xeon E5-1650 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-4790K	Xeon E5-1650
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	384 GB+1100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4790K) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-1650). The Core i7-4790K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon E5-1650 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E5-1650 targets Workstation.