Core i7-4800MQ vs Xeon E5-1620

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 i7-4800MQ vs Xeon E5-1620 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 i7-4800MQ vs Xeon E5-1620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4800MQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $505 less on MSRP ($380 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 129.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.2 vs 6.6 PassMark/$ ($380 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Draws 47W instead of 130W, a 83W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,773 vs 5,848).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1620, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1620

2012

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.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.6 vs 15.2 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $380 MSRP).
❌176.6% higher power demand at 130W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1620 better than Core i7-4800MQ?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4800MQ 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 E5-1620 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.9% 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 E5-1620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1620 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-1620 comes in 132.9% more expensive on MSRP at $885 MSRP versus $380 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-4800MQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 129.9% better value on paper (15.2 vs 6.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA946.

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

Core i7-4800MQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4800MQ vs Xeon E5-1620 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4800MQ

The Core i7-4800MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 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 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,773 points. Launch price was $378.

Xeon E5-1620

The Xeon E5-1620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,848 points. Launch price was $313.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4800MQ and Xeon E5-1620 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-4800MQ versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1620 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-4800MQ uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4800MQ scores 5,773 against the Xeon E5-1620's 5,848 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E5-1620. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4800MQ vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620.

Feature	Core i7-4800MQ	Xeon E5-1620
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.6 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10240 kB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,773	5,848+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,469
Geekbench 6 Single	—	612
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,250

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4800MQ uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4800MQ	Xeon E5-1620
Socket	PGA946	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	375 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4800MQ) / true (Xeon E5-1620).

Feature	Core i7-4800MQ	Xeon E5-1620
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4800MQ was priced at $380, while the Xeon E5-1620 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($380 vs $885), Core i7-4800MQ was $505 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4800MQ delivers 15.2 pts/$ vs 6.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 — making the Core i7-4800MQ the 78.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4800MQ	Xeon E5-1620
MSRP	$380-57%	$885
Performance per Dollar	15.2+130%	6.6
Release Date	2013	2012

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