Xeon E3-1220 v6
VS
Core i7-4700HQ

Xeon E3-1220 v6 vs Core i7-4700HQ

Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v6

4 Cores4 Thrd72 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2017
VS
Intel

Core i7-4700HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2013

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 Xeon E3-1220 v6 is positioned at rank 718 and the Core i7-4700HQ is on rank 989, so the Xeon E3-1220 v6 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1220 v6

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
13836%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
2612%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
2321%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
1793%
#419
Xeon 6736P
MSRP: $3351|Avg: $3351
99%
#420
EPYC 9655P
MSRP: $10811|Avg: $7958
99%
#421
EPYC 9554P
MSRP: $7104|Avg: $3052
98%
#423
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX
MSRP: $6499|Avg: $3444
97%
#424
Xeon W-2155
MSRP: $1440|Avg: $150
96%
#425
Xeon 6740E
MSRP: $5265|Avg: $3949
96%
#718
Xeon E3-1220 v6
MSRP: $372|Avg: $80
100%
#719
Xeon E5-2623 v3
MSRP: $444|Avg: $50
100%
#722
Xeon E5-2620
MSRP: $360|Avg: $89
99%
#728
Xeon E5-2609 v3
MSRP: $306|Avg: $306
97%
#730
Xeon Bronze 3106
MSRP: $395|Avg: $395
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4700HQ

#977
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2014%
#978
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1984%
#979
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1822%
#980
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1813%
#981
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1797%
#983
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1735%
#984
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1664%
#985
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1661%
#986
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1616%
#989
Core i7-4700HQ
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#991
Pentium 8500
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
100%
#992
A6-8500P
MSRP: $100|Avg: $16
99%
#994
Core i7-4700EQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $180
98%
#995
Core i3-8145UE
MSRP: $281|Avg: $50
98%
#996
Core i7-4712MQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $60
96%
#997
Core i7-3615QE
MSRP: $400|Avg: $100
96%
#998
Celeron M U3400
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
96%
#999
3015Ce
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
96%
#1000
Core i7-4700MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
96%
#1001
Athlon II M340
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Xeon E3-1220 v6 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightXeon E3-1220 v6Core i7-4700HQ
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($80)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-4700HQ (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightXeon E3-1220 v6Core i7-4700HQ
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($80)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 Xeon E3-1220 v6 and Core i7-4700HQ

Intel

Xeon E3-1220 v6

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,589 points. Launch price was $193.

Intel

Core i7-4700HQ

The Core i7-4700HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 May 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 3.4 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: 5,579 points. Launch price was $378.

Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4700HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-4700HQ — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v6 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4700HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 v6 scores 5,589 against the Core i7-4700HQ's 5,579 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v6. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4700HQ.

FeatureXeon E3-1220 v6Core i7-4700HQ
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz+3%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz+25%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB+300%
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm-36%
22 nm
Architecture
Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark
5,589
5,579
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4700HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E3-1220 v6Core i7-4700HQ
Socket
LGA1151
BGA1364
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0