Intel Core i5-4590S vs Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4590S and the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 are both quad-core desktop processors, yet they represent different eras and purposes. The data shows the Xeon holding a consistent and significant lead across every benchmark test, but their shared 38th percentile ranking among all CPUs suggests that in the broader landscape, their overall performance class is similar. This analysis will explore where each chip wins, what architectural choices drive the differences, and what the results imply for a buyer.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 wins every single head-to-head test, with six wins out of six. There is no workload category in the provided data where the Core i5-4590S takes the lead. The Xeon’s advantage is remarkably consistent, ranging from a 14.3% to 15.3% delta over the i5 across all Cinebench tests. This suggests the Xeon wins in both single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios, making it the superior choice for any application that relies on raw CPU computation, whether that be rendering, simulation, or general productivity. The Core i5-4590S, by contrast, does not win in any measured benchmark. Its only potential edge lies outside the performance metrics, such as its lower 65-watt TDP compared to the Xeon's 80 watts, which could be a factor in power-constrained builds.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures, which explains the performance gap. The Core i5-4590S is based on the Haswell architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process node, and contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. In contrast, the Xeon E3-1225 v5 uses the newer Skylake-DT architecture, built on a more efficient 14 nm process, packing 1,750 million transistors into a smaller 122 mm² die. This newer node allows for higher clock speeds and better instructions per clock (IPC). The Xeon also has a higher base clock (3.30 GHz vs 2.90 GHz) and a slightly higher boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.60 GHz). Cache configurations also differ, with the Xeon offering 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus the i5's 6 MB. While both support dual-channel memory, the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5 is limited to DDR3. The Xeon also officially supports ECC memory and has a different integrated GPU (HD Graphics P530 vs Intel HD 4600). Finally, they use different sockets (1151 vs 1150), making them incompatible with each other's motherboards.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 is the clear performance winner. It outperforms the Core i5-4590S by roughly 14-15% in every single Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core. For any user whose priority is maximum computational throughput, the Xeon is the obvious choice. The Core i5-4590S does not offer a single performance advantage in the tested metrics. Its only saving grace is its lower TDP of 65 watts, which may appeal to those building a very low-power system, but even then, the performance sacrifice is significant. The Xeon's support for ECC memory and its server/workstation market segment further position it as the more robust option for professional or reliability-focused workloads. The i5-4590S is a capable processor, but the data shows it is simply outclassed by the newer Xeon.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 is consistently faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5065 versus the Core i5-4590S's 4338, a 14.4% advantage.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Core i5-4590S wins?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the Xeon winning all six benchmark tests, with the i5 losing each by a margin of at least 14.3%.

Q: What are the key architectural differences between the two CPUs?

A: The i5-4590S uses the older Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process, while the Xeon uses the newer Skylake-DT architecture on a 14 nm process. The Xeon also has a larger 8 MB L3 cache compared to the i5's 6 MB.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-4590S does not.

Q: What is the performance percentile for both CPUs?

A: Both the Intel Core i5-4590S and the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 are ranked in the 38th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The Core i5-4590S uses the Intel Socket 1150, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 uses the Intel Socket 1151.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The performance differential is stark and consistent. In Cinebench R15, the Xeon scores 510 in multi-core versus the i5's 437, a 14.3% difference. The single-core test shows a similar pattern, with the Xeon at 72 and the i5 at 61, a 15.3% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon again leads with 2127 multi-core points against the i5's 1821 (14.4% delta) and 300 single-core points against 257 (14.3% delta). The most demanding test, Cinebench R23, shows the Xeon scoring 5065 in multi-core compared to the i5's 4338, and 715 in single-core versus 612. Each of these deltas hovers around 14-15%, indicating a consistent performance ceiling imposed by the older Haswell architecture. The Xeon's lead is not a fluke of one test but a systemic advantage across the entire Cinebench suite. This consistency suggests that the Xeon's architectural improvements, including its higher clocks and newer 14 nm process, translate directly into a broad performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The most fundamental difference is the architecture and process node: the Core i5-4590S is Haswell on 22 nm, while the Xeon E3-1225 v5 is Skylake-DT on 14 nm. This leads to differences in transistor count (1,400 million vs 1,750 million) and die size (177 mm² vs 122 mm²). Clock speeds are higher on the Xeon, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.60 GHz. The Xeon also has more L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). Memory support is another key differentiator: the i5 supports only DDR3, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, and the Xeon has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the i5 does not. Their sockets are different (1151 vs 1150), their TDPs differ (80 W vs 65 W), and their integrated graphics are different (HD Graphics P530 vs Intel HD 4600). The Xeon is classified as a Server/Workstation part and is end-of-life, while the i5 is a Desktop part. The Xeon also has a launch MSRP of $224.