Intel Core i7-4790 vs Intel Xeon E3-1565L v5 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4790 and the Intel Xeon E3-1565L v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, yet they target fundamentally different market segments. The data shows a clear split: the Xeon wins the majority of benchmark comparisons (11 wins to 6), but the Core i7 secures decisive victories in several specific workloads. This analysis breaks down the performance data, architectural differences, and practical implications of each chip's strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is how closely the two processors match each other in multi-threaded rendering tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon E3-1565L v5 scores 627 against the Core i7-4790's 621, a margin of just 1%. That near-parity repeats across Cinebench R20 multicore (2614 vs 2591, a 0.9% difference) and Cinebench R23 multicore (6226 vs 6171, also 0.9%). The single-core Cinebench results are equally tight: the Xeon leads by 1.1% in R15 (88 vs 87) and by 1.1% in R20 (369 vs 365). These are essentially statistical ties, indicating that for pure rendering throughput, neither chip holds a meaningful advantage.

The Xeon's wins become more pronounced in specific PassMark sub-tests. The largest margin is in PassMark physics, where the Xeon scores 794 against the Core i7's 498 — a 37.3% advantage. Prime number finding also favors the Xeon heavily, with a score of 43 versus 32, a 25.6% gap. Floating point math goes to the Xeon at 14547 versus 13104, a 9.9% lead, and data encryption shows a 12.1% edge (2314 vs 2035). The Xeon also edges ahead in PassMark multithread (7325 vs 7264, a 0.8% margin).

The Core i7-4790, however, dominates in other PassMark categories. Its biggest win is in random string sorting, where it scores 14790 against the Xeon's 11543 — a 28.1% advantage. Data compression shows a 15.7% lead (109623 vs 94771), and extended instructions favor the Core i7 by 13.3% (6835 vs 6031). Integer math goes to the Core i7 at 26129 versus 23335, a 12% margin. The Core i7 also wins both single-thread PassMark entries (2228 vs 1970, a 13.1% lead).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and process nodes. The Core i7-4790 is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process, while the Xeon E3-1565L v5 uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm node. This process shrink allows the Xeon to pack 2,300 million transistors into a 171 mm² die, compared to the Core i7's 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. Despite the smaller die, the Xeon manages higher transistor density and a more modern design.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The Core i7-4790 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Xeon operates at a significantly lower 2.50 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. This 1.1 GHz base clock gap and 0.5 GHz boost gap explain why the Core i7 wins single-threaded PassMark tests so decisively. However, the Xeon's lower clocks enable a dramatically lower TDP of 35 watts versus the Core i7's 84 watts.

Memory support differs substantially. The Core i7 supports only DDR3 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel, but with a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, while the Core i7 does not. Both processors use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics are another differentiator. The Core i7 features Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the Xeon includes Iris Pro Graphics P580, a more capable integrated solution. The sockets are incompatible: the Core i7 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1440, meaning the Xeon is soldered rather than socketed.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E3-1565L v5 emerges as the stronger choice for physics simulation and scientific computing workloads. Its 37.3% lead in PassMark physics and 25.6% advantage in prime number finding indicate superior handling of workloads that benefit from the newer Skylake architecture's instruction efficiency. The 9.9% lead in floating point math and 12.1% edge in encryption further cement its position for number-crunching tasks. Its 0.8% lead in PassMark multithread shows it can handle general parallel workloads effectively, and the Cinebench results demonstrate parity in rendering despite the lower clock speeds.

The Core i7-4790 wins decisively in memory-intensive and string-manipulation tasks. Its 28.1% advantage in random string sorting and 15.7% lead in data compression point to strengths in database and file-handling workloads. The 13.3% edge in extended instructions and 12% lead in integer math make it better suited for general-purpose desktop tasks. The 13.1% single-thread lead is critical for older software that relies on high clock speeds rather than multi-core scaling.

FAQ

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

A: The Xeon E3-1565L v5 leads by margins of 1% or less across all Cinebench multicore tests. In R15, it scores 627 versus 621; in R20, 2614 versus 2591; in R23, 6226 versus 6171. This is effectively a tie.

Q: Does the Core i7-4790 have a higher single-thread performance?

A: Yes, in PassMark single-thread tests, the Core i7 scores 2228 against the Xeon's 1970, a 13.1% advantage. However, in Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon leads by 1.1% (88 vs 87), so the results depend on the workload.

Q: How do the TDP ratings compare?

A: The Xeon E3-1565L v5 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Core i7-4790 has a TDP of 84 watts. The Xeon is more than twice as power-efficient on paper.

Q: Does the Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1565L v5 supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-4790 does not. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4, whereas the Core i7 only supports DDR3.

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The Xeon E3-1565L v5 wins 11 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the Core i7-4790 wins 6. However, the Core i7's wins are often by larger margins, particularly in string sorting and compression.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No, the Core i7-4790 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process, released in 2014. The Xeon E3-1565L v5 uses Skylake on a 14 nm process, released in 2016.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture of two processors designed for different priorities. The Xeon E3-1565L v5 is the better choice for server and workstation environments where power efficiency and ECC memory support matter. Its 35-watt TDP versus the Core i7's 84 watts makes it ideal for dense deployments, and its wins in physics, encryption, and floating-point math align with scientific and financial workloads. The Cinebench parity means rendering performance is not sacrificed despite the lower clocks.

The Core i7-4790 is the stronger pick for desktop users running legacy applications that depend on high single-thread clock speeds. Its 13.1% lead in PassMark single-thread and 28.1% advantage in random string sorting make it better for everyday responsiveness and data-heavy desktop tasks. Its higher TDP is a non-issue for a standard desktop build, and its lower launch MSRP of $312 compared to the Xeon's $417 makes it a more accessible option.

For buyers prioritizing ECC memory, lower power consumption, and scientific computing, the Xeon is the clear winner. For those needing maximum single-thread performance and faster data compression in a desktop form factor, the Core i7-4790 holds the edge. Both processors have reached end-of-life status, but the benchmark data shows the Xeon offers a more balanced overall package for modern workloads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4790 | Intel Xeon E3-1565L v5 |

|---|---|---|

| Architecture | Haswell | Skylake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 2,300 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 171 mm² |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 84 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Iris Pro Graphics P580 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2014-04-30 | 2016-05-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $312 | $417 |

| Part Number | SR1QF | SR2R8 |