Core i7-4790T vs Xeon E5-2420 v2

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 i7-4790T vs Xeon E5-2420 v2 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 i7-4790T vs Xeon E5-2420 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-4790T

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2420 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,325 vs 6,349).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2420 v2, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2420 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2420 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2420 v2 better than Core i7-4790T?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2420 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4790T is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2420 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% 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, Xeon E5-2420 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2420 v2 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-2420 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-4790T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Core i7-4790T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4790T vs Xeon E5-2420 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4790T

The Core i7-4790T 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,325 points. Launch price was $303.

Xeon E5-2420 v2

The Xeon E5-2420 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,349 points. Launch price was $480.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4790T packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2420 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4790T versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 v2 — a 36.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790T (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-4790T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790T scores 6,325 against the Xeon E5-2420 v2's 6,349 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2420 v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790T vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420 v2.

Feature	Core i7-4790T	Xeon E5-2420 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+44%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+23%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,325	6,349

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.