Core i7-4960HQ vs Xeon E3-1290 v2
Core i7-4960HQ
Xeon E3-1290 v2
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-4960HQ is positioned at rank 72 and the Xeon E3-1290 v2 is on rank 453, so the Core i7-4960HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4960HQ
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1290 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-4960HQ | Xeon E3-1290 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($125) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-4960HQ | Xeon E3-1290 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($125) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4960HQ and Xeon E3-1290 v2
Core i7-4960HQ
The Core i7-4960HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 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: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,370 points. Launch price was $657.
Xeon E3-1290 v2
The Xeon E3-1290 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 87 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,354 points. Launch price was $885.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-4960HQ and Xeon E3-1290 v2 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4960HQ versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1290 v2 — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1290 v2 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-4960HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4960HQ scores 6,370 against the Xeon E3-1290 v2's 6,354 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-4960HQ. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-4960HQ | Xeon E3-1290 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.1 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz+42% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Crystalwell (2013−2014) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 6,370 | 6,354 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-4960HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1290 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-4960HQ | Xeon E3-1290 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1364 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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