Core i7-4950HQ vs Xeon E5-2667

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 i7-4950HQ vs Xeon E5-2667 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 i7-4950HQ vs Xeon E5-2667: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4950HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 47W instead of 130W, a 83W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics 5200, while Xeon E5-2667 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2667 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,405 vs 7,442).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2667, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2667

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% 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, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,552 MSRP, while Core i7-4950HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌176.6% higher power demand at 130W vs 47W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4950HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2667 better than Core i7-4950HQ?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2667 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4950HQ 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 E5-2667 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.6% 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 E5-2667 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% 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 E5-2667 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2667 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,552 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-4950HQ 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 i7-4950HQ vs Xeon E5-2667 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4950HQ

The Core i7-4950HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,405 points. Launch price was $657.

Xeon E5-2667

The Xeon E5-2667 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 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: 7,442 points. Launch price was $714.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4950HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2667 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2667 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4950HQ versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2667 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-4950HQ (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-4950HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2667 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4950HQ scores 7,405 against the Xeon E5-2667's 7,442 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2667. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4950HQ vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2667.

Feature	Core i7-4950HQ	Xeon E5-2667
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.9 GHz+21%
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	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	7,405	7,442
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,317	—
Geekbench 6 Single	842	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,317	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4950HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2667 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Xeon E5-2667 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-4950HQ) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2667). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-4950HQ) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2667) — the Xeon E5-2667 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM87,QM87 (Core i7-4950HQ) and Intel C602,Intel X79 (Xeon E5-2667).

Feature	Core i7-4950HQ	Xeon E5-2667
Socket	BGA1364	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3 1600 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	384 GB+1100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-4950HQ) vs true (Xeon E5-2667). The Core i7-4950HQ includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 5200), while the Xeon E5-2667 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E5-2667 targets Server.