Core i7-4900MQ vs Xeon E5-2630

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 i7-4900MQ vs Xeon E5-2630 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 i7-4900MQ vs Xeon E5-2630: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4900MQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 47W instead of 95W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2630, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 15.4 PassMark/$ ($570 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).

Xeon E5-2630

2012

Why buy it

✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.
✅Costs $175 less on MSRP ($395 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).
✅Delivers 42.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.4 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($395 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,077 vs 6,146).
❌102.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4900MQ better than Xeon E5-2630?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2630 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4900MQ 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 i7-4900MQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4900MQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4900MQ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2630 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-4900MQ comes in 44.3% more expensive on MSRP at $570 MSRP versus $395 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2630 is also 42.7% better value on MSRP (15.4 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-4900MQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4900MQ vs Xeon E5-2630 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4900MQ

The Core i7-4900MQ 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 6,146 points. Launch price was $568.

Xeon E5-2630

The Xeon E5-2630 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,077 points. Launch price was $74.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4900MQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2630 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2630 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4900MQ versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2630 — a 30.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-4900MQ (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-4900MQ uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2630 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4900MQ scores 6,146 against the Xeon E5-2630's 6,077 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-4900MQ. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4900MQ vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2630.

Feature	Core i7-4900MQ	Xeon E5-2630
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+36%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+22%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	6,146+1%	6,077

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4900MQ uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2630 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4900MQ	Xeon E5-2630
Socket	PGA946	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4900MQ was priced at $570, while the Xeon E5-2630 came in at $395. On launch pricing ($570 vs $395), Xeon E5-2630 was $175 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4900MQ delivers 10.8 pts/$ vs 15.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2630 — making the Xeon E5-2630 the 35.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4900MQ	Xeon E5-2630
MSRP	$570	$395-31%
Performance per Dollar	10.8	15.4+43%
Release Date	2013	2012

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