Core i7-4790K vs Xeon E5-2660
Core i7-4790K
Xeon E5-2660
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-4790K is positioned at rank 726 and the Xeon E5-2660 is on rank 963, so the Core i7-4790K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4790K
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2660
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-4790K | Xeon E5-2660 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($93) | ✅ More affordable ($65) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Devil's Canyon / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-4790K | Xeon E5-2660 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+43%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($93) | ✅ More affordable ($65) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4790K and Xeon E5-2660
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 E5-2660
The Xeon E5-2660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,067 points. Launch price was $85.
Processing Power
The Core i7-4790K packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-4790K versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 — a 37.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790K (base: 4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-4790K uses the Devil's Canyon architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790K scores 8,063 against the Xeon E5-2660's 8,067 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E5-2660. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790K vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660.
| Feature | Core i7-4790K | Xeon E5-2660 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 8 / 16+100% |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+47% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz+82% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 20480 kB (total)+150% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Devil's Canyon | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) |
| PassMark | 8,063 | 8,067 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-4790K uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Xeon E5-2660 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-4790K) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2660). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-4790K) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2660) — the Xeon E5-2660 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 8 series,Intel 9 series (Core i7-4790K) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2660).
| Feature | Core i7-4790K | Xeon E5-2660 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 384 GB+1100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
The Core i7-4790K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon E5-2660 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i7-4790K | Xeon E5-2660 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4600 | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-4790K launched at $350 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2660 debuted at $1329. At current prices ($93 vs $65), the Xeon E5-2660 is $28 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790K delivers 86.7 pts/$ vs 124.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2660 — making the Xeon E5-2660 the 35.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-4790K | Xeon E5-2660 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $350-74% | $1329 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $93 | $65-30% |
| Performance per Dollar | 86.7 | 124.1+43% |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2012 |
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