Core i7-4790S vs Xeon E3-1505M v5

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 E3-1505M v5 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 E3-1505M v5: 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: +11.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,973 vs 6,995).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.3 vs 60.8 PassMark/$ ($312 MSRP vs $115 MSRP).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Xeon E3-1505M v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $197 less on MSRP ($115 MSRP vs $312 MSRP).
✅Delivers 172.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 60.8 vs 22.3 PassMark/$ ($115 MSRP vs $312 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1505M v5 better than Core i7-4790S?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1505M v5 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1505M v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1505M v5 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1505M v5 comes in $197 cheaper on MSRP at $115 MSRP versus $312 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4790S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 172.2% better value on MSRP (60.8 vs 22.3 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1505M v5 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 i7-4790S vs Xeon E3-1505M v5 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 E3-1505M v5

The Xeon E3-1505M v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,995 points. Launch price was $434.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790S and Xeon E3-1505M v5 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790S versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1505M v5 — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-4790S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses Skylake-H (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790S scores 6,973 against the Xeon E3-1505M v5's 6,995 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1505M v5. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E3-1505M v5
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+8%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake-H (2015−2016)
PassMark	6,973	6,995

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E3-1505M v5
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4790S was priced at $312, while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 came in at $115. On launch pricing ($312 vs $115), Xeon E3-1505M v5 was $197 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790S delivers 22.3 pts/$ vs 60.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1505M v5 — making the Xeon E3-1505M v5 the 92.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E3-1505M v5
MSRP	$312	$115-63%
Performance per Dollar	22.3	60.8+173%
Release Date	2014	2015

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