Core i7-4790S vs Xeon E5-1620 v3

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 E5-1620 v3 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 E5-1620 v3: 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: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1620 v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
❌
6.1% HIGHER MSRP
$312 MSRPvs$294 MSRP

Xeon E5-1620 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Costs $18 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $312 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,959 vs 6,973).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4790S better than Xeon E5-1620 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 v3 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 3.2% 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 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4790S is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1620 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-4790S comes in 6.1% more expensive on MSRP at $312 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-1620 v3 is also 5.9% better value on MSRP (23.7 vs 22.3 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon E5-1620 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4790S vs Xeon E5-1620 v3 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 E5-1620 v3

The Xeon E5-1620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,959 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790S and Xeon E5-1620 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790S versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-4790S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790S scores 6,973 against the Xeon E5-1620 v3's 6,959 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-4790S. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790S vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v3.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+11%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	6,973	6,959

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4790S) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-1620 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-1620 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
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 E5-1620 v3 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($312 vs $294), Xeon E5-1620 v3 was $18 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790S delivers 22.3 pts/$ vs 23.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — making the Xeon E5-1620 v3 the 5.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Xeon E5-1620 v3
MSRP	$312	$294-6%
Performance per Dollar	22.3	23.7+6%
Release Date	2014	2014

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