Core i7-4790S vs Xeon E3-1265L 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 i7-4790S vs Xeon E3-1265L 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 i7-4790S vs Xeon E3-1265L 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 i7-4790S

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $105 less on MSRP ($312 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
✅Delivers 34.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.3 vs 16.7 PassMark/$ ($312 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E3-1265L v4, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 16 PCIe lanes.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E3-1265L v4 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon E3-1265L v4

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 16 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics P6300, while Core i7-4790S needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,954 vs 6,973).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.7 vs 22.3 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $312 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4790S better than Xeon E3-1265L v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1265L v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4790S 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 i7-4790S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.7% 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 i7-4790S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-4790S is the better buy right now. Core i7-4790S comes in $105 cheaper on MSRP at $312 MSRP versus $417 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 34.0% better value on MSRP (22.3 vs 16.7 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1265L v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4790S vs Xeon E3-1265L v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4790S

The Core i7-4790S 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 3.2 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,973 points. Launch price was $303.

Xeon E3-1265L v4

The Xeon E3-1265L 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 6,954 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790S and Xeon E3-1265L v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790S versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v4 — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-4790S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1265L v4 uses Broadwell-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790S scores 6,973 against the Xeon E3-1265L v4's 6,954 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-4790S. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790S vs 6 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1265L v4.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E3-1265L v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+21%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+39%	2.3 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	Haswell (2013−2015)	Broadwell-DT (2015)
PassMark	6,973	6,954
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	900
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,000

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1150 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E3-1265L v4
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4790S) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1265L v4). The Xeon E3-1265L v4 includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics P6300), while the Core i7-4790S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1265L v4 targets Server.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E3-1265L v4
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Iris Pro Graphics P6300
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4790S was priced at $312, while the Xeon E3-1265L v4 came in at $417. On launch pricing ($312 vs $417), Core i7-4790S was $105 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790S delivers 22.3 pts/$ vs 16.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1265L v4 — making the Core i7-4790S the 29.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E3-1265L v4
MSRP	$312-25%	$417
Performance per Dollar	22.3+34%	16.7
Release Date	2014	2015

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