Intel Core i7-4790S vs Intel Xeon D-1537 Comparison

The Intel Xeon D-1537 and the Intel Core i7-4790S represent two distinct design philosophies from the same manufacturer, separated by a generation. The Xeon D-1537 is a low-power, server-oriented System-on-Chip built on the 14 nm Broadwell architecture, while the Core i7-4790S is a higher-clocked, desktop-focused Haswell part on a 22 nm process. Benchmark data reveals a consistent, if narrow, performance advantage for the server chip across every test, despite the desktop processor’s substantially higher clock speeds.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are remarkably uniform, with the Intel Xeon D-1537 winning all six tests by exactly 7.1% in most cases and 7% in one. In Cinebench R15, the Xeon D-1537 scores 637 multicore and 90 singlecore, against 595 and 84 for the Core i7-4790S. Both are 7.1% leads. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the Xeon posts 2657 multicore and 375 singlecore, versus 2482 and 350 for the i7-4790S.

The largest absolute gap appears in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the Xeon D-1537 reaches 6327 versus 5911 for the i7-4790S, a 7% advantage. The singlecore R23 result follows the same trajectory: 893 for the Xeon versus 834 for the i7, again a 7.1% edge. This consistent delta across both multicore and singlecore workloads is notable. It suggests the Xeon’s advantage is not simply a matter of core count, but rather a fundamental efficiency gain per thread.

The i7-4790S has two extra benchmark scores in the Geekbench suite—3307 multicore and 1056 singlecore—but these are not part of the head-to-head comparison set. The average benchmark scores place the two CPUs nearly identically: the Xeon D-1537 averages 1830, while the i7-4790S averages 1827. In the nearestRivals data, the Xeon is listed as 0.1% ahead of the i7, while the i7 is listed as 0.2% behind the Xeon. Both sit at the 42nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating they belong to the same performance tier overall.

The data shows no test where the Core i7-4790S manages to pull ahead. The wins column is 6-0 in favor of the Xeon D-1537. However, the margin is slim enough that in real-world usage, users would be hard-pressed to notice a 7% difference in most tasks. The significance lies more in how each chip achieves its scores: the Xeon does it with 8 cores at a 1700 MHz base clock, while the i7 does it with 4 cores at 3200 MHz base and 4000 MHz boost.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gulf between these two processors is substantial. The Xeon D-1537 is built on a 14 nm process with 3,200 million transistors on a 246 mm² die, while the Core i7-4790S uses a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The Xeon’s newer, denser process allows it to pack double the cores—8 versus 4—and double the threads—16 versus 8—into a similar power envelope.

Clock speeds tell the opposite story. The i7-4790S runs at a 3200 MHz base and boosts to 4000 MHz, compared to the Xeon’s 1700 MHz base and 2300 MHz boost. The i7’s clocks are nearly double the Xeon’s, yet it still loses in every benchmark. This highlights the per-core efficiency of the Broadwell architecture, which achieves higher performance at lower frequencies.

Cache configurations differ significantly. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. The Xeon D-1537 has 1.5 MB of L3 per core, which totals 12 MB across its 8 cores. The i7-4790S has 8 MB of shared L3 across its 4 cores. The Xeon’s larger aggregate cache likely contributes to its singlecore advantage, as each core has access to a larger private slice.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Xeon D-1537 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the i7-4790S is limited to DDR3 only. The i7-4790S has a specified memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the Xeon’s bandwidth is not listed. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, whereas the i7 does not. The Xeon provides 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the i7 provides 16.

The i7-4790S includes integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the Xeon D-1537 has none. The i7 uses the Intel Socket 1150 platform, while the Xeon is soldered to Intel BGA 1667. The Xeon’s TDP is 35 watts, half of the i7’s 65 watts. The Xeon is a server/workstation part that remains active in production, while the i7 is a desktop chip that is now end-of-life. The Xeon launched later, in 2015, versus 2014 for the i7. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon D-1537 outperforms the Intel Core i7-4790S in every measured Cinebench workload, with deltas of 7.0% to 7.1%. This is despite the Xeon having roughly half the clock speed and a much lower TDP. The Xeon’s 8 cores and 16 threads overcome the i7’s clock advantage, and the Broadwell architecture’s per-core efficiency delivers a singlecore win as well.

The i7-4790S is not without merit. Its 4000 MHz boost clock and integrated graphics make it a more versatile desktop part. But the data shows it loses to the Xeon in pure compute. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical—1830 versus 1827—which places them in the same performance class. The Xeon’s lead is consistent, but it is not transformative.

For a user choosing between these two, the Xeon D-1537 is the better performer in CPU-bound tasks. It also offers ECC memory support, which the i7 lacks, and a lower power draw. The i7-4790S offers integrated graphics and a standard desktop socket, which may be more convenient for a typical PC build. But strictly from the benchmark results, the Xeon wins every head-to-head comparison.

The production status also favors the Xeon, which is active, versus the i7’s end-of-life status. The Xeon’s launch MSRP is $470, while the i7’s is $312. The Xeon’s higher launch price reflects its server positioning and dual-processor-class features. The data does not support a case for the i7 on performance grounds, though its lower launch MSRP and integrated graphics may appeal to a desktop-oriented buyer.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1537 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-4790S has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Xeon D-1537 scores 6327, which is 7% higher than the i7-4790S’s score of 5911.

Q: Does the Core i7-4790S win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The Xeon D-1537 wins all 6 head-to-head tests, with the i7-4790S recording 0 wins.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1537 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-4790S does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon D-1537 has an average benchmark score of 1830, while the i7-4790S averages 1827, a difference of 0.1%.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each CPU?

A: The Xeon D-1537 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i7-4790S has a TDP of 65 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1537 wins in every computational benchmark recorded. Its strengths are clear: 8 cores and 16 threads provide ample parallelism for multicore workloads, and the 14 nm Broadwell architecture delivers higher per-core performance at lower clocks. The 7.1% singlecore advantage in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 indicates that even single-threaded tasks favor the Xeon. The 35-watt TDP makes it a compelling choice for power-constrained server or workstation environments. ECC memory support and dual DDR3/DDR4 compatibility add to its server appeal. Its 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide more expansion headroom than the i7’s 16 lanes.

The Intel Core i7-4790S has no benchmark wins in the data, but it does have qualitative advantages. Its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics means no discrete GPU is required for basic display output. The 4000 MHz boost clock is substantially higher than the Xeon’s 2300 MHz, which could be advantageous in lightly-threaded, latency-sensitive applications, though the benchmark data does not show this. The desktop Socket 1150 is a standard, replaceable socket, whereas the Xeon is soldered to BGA 1667. The i7’s 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth is explicitly specified, while the Xeon’s is not listed. The i7 also supports only DDR3, which is simpler for older desktop builds.

In practical terms, the Xeon D-1537 is the choice for a headless server, a virtual machine host, or a workstation where compute density and power efficiency matter. The i7-4790S is the choice for a desktop system where integrated graphics are needed and the existing DDR3 memory and LGA 1150 motherboard platform are already in place. The data cannot justify the i7 on raw performance, but its ecosystem compatibility and lower launch MSRP of $312 versus $470 may be decisive for a desktop builder. The Xeon’s lead is consistent across all six head-to-head tests, making it the stronger processor in the benchmark database.