Intel Core i7-4790S vs Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790S has a higher average benchmark score of 1827, compared to 1817 for the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5. This places the i7-4790S marginally ahead, with a difference of 10 points.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 scores 6284 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 5.9% higher than the Intel Core i7-4790S's score of 5911. The Xeon wins this test decisively.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Intel Core i7-4790S has a TDP of 65 watts. The Xeon consumes 20 watts less, indicating a significant efficiency advantage.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-4790S does not. This makes the Xeon more suitable for workstation and server reliability requirements.

Q: What are the process node differences?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 is built on a 14 nm process with 2,300 million transistors, while the Intel Core i7-4790S uses a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors. The Xeon's newer node enables a smaller die size of 122 mm² versus 177 mm².

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790S has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5's boost clock of 3.70 GHz. Despite this, the Xeon wins all single-core benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations from Intel. The Core i7-4790S is based on the Haswell architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process node, while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses the Skylake-H architecture on a 14 nm node. This process shrink is significant: the Xeon packs 2,300 million transistors into a 122 mm² die, whereas the Haswell chip contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The newer fabrication process gives the Xeon a higher transistor density and potentially better power efficiency per unit of silicon area.

Both CPUs feature identical core configurations: 4 cores with 8 threads, and each has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache is also the same at 8 MB. However, the memory subsystems diverge. The Core i7-4790S supports only DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and a peak bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The Xeon E3-1505M v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also in dual-channel, but achieves a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. This bandwidth advantage of 8.5 GB/s is a direct result of the newer memory controller and platform capabilities.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Core i7-4790S features Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 is equipped with HD Graphics P530. The integrated graphics on the Xeon is part of the Skylake generation and is designed to support professional workstation workloads. The Xeon also adds ECC memory support, a feature absent from the Core i7-4790S, which is a critical differentiator for data integrity in server and workstation environments.

Socket and platform compatibility are major architectural separators. The Core i7-4790S uses Intel Socket 1150, a desktop platform, whereas the Xeon E3-1505M v5 uses Intel BGA 1440, a mobile/workstation socket that is soldered to the board. This means the Xeon is intended for laptops and mobile workstations, while the Core i7 is for traditional desktop builds. The market segments reflect this: the Core i7-4790S targets Desktop, and the Xeon E3-1505M v5 targets Server/Workstation.

Both processors support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The production status for both is End-of-life, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The release dates differ by about 18 months, with the Core i7-4790S launching in May 2014 and the Xeon E3-1505M v5 in October 2015.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 wins all six recorded tests against the Intel Core i7-4790S. The wins are consistent across both multi-core and single-core workloads, with deltas ranging from 5.6% to 6%.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 633 against 595 for the Core i7, a 6% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 89 for the Xeon versus 84, a 5.6% lead. These results indicate that the Xeon's newer Skylake architecture provides a measurable IPC improvement over Haswell, despite the Core i7's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 3.70 GHz.

The Cinebench R20 tests reinforce the trend. In multi-core, the Xeon scores 2639 versus 2482, a 5.9% advantage. Single-core R20 shows 372 for the Xeon against 350, also a 5.9% lead. The consistency of the delta across R15 and R20 suggests that the architectural advantage is uniform across different rendering workloads.

Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern. The Xeon achieves 6284 in multi-core, beating the Core i7's 5911 by 5.9%. In single-core, the Xeon scores 887 versus 834, a 6% advantage. The R23 results are particularly telling because they represent the most modern rendering workload in the benchmark suite, and the Xeon's lead persists.

It is worth remembering the Core i7-4790S has a higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 2.80 GHz) and boost clock (4.00 GHz versus 3.70 GHz), yet it loses every benchmark. This demonstrates that the Xeon's architectural efficiency from the 14 nm Skylake design more than compensates for the clock speed deficit. The benchmark data shows no test where the Core i7-4790S wins; the wins tally is 0 for the Core i7 and 6 for the Xeon.

The average benchmark scores reflect these results as well. The Core i7-4790S has an average score of 1827, while the Xeon E3-1505M v5 sits at 1817, a difference of only 0.5%. This average includes Geekbench scores for the Core i7 only, which are 3307 multi-core and 1056 single-core, while the Xeon lacks Geekbench data in the record.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specification fields. The base clock is higher on the Core i7-4790S at 3.20 GHz, compared to 2.80 GHz for the Xeon E3-1505M v5. Similarly, the boost clock favors the Core i7 at 4.00 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. The TDP is lower on the Xeon at 45 watts, while the Core i7 draws 65 watts.

The socket types are completely different: Intel Socket 1150 for the Core i7, and Intel BGA 1440 for the Xeon. The architecture and codename differ: Haswell versus Skylake, and Haswell versus Skylake-H respectively. The generation labels are "Core i7 (Haswell)" and "Xeon E3 (Skylake-H)".

Process node and physical characteristics show the Xeon's advantage: 14 nm versus 22 nm, 2,300 million transistors versus 1,400 million, and a smaller die size of 122 mm² versus 177 mm². Memory support differs: the Core i7 supports only DDR3, while the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Xeon at 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s.

ECC memory support is present only on the Xeon. Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4600 on the Core i7, and HD Graphics P530 on the Xeon. The market segment is Desktop for the Core i7, and Server/Workstation for the Xeon. Release dates are 2014-05-10 for the Core i7 and 2015-10-26 for the Xeon.

The launch MSRP for the Core i7-4790S is $312. The launch MSRP for the Xeon E3-1505M v5 is $434. The part numbers are SR1QM for the Core i7 and SR2FM for the Xeon. Both CPUs have 4 cores, 8 threads, 8 MB of shared L3 cache, dual-channel memory bus, and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is decisive: the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 outperforms the Intel Core i7-4790S in every recorded head-to-head test. The Xeon leads by approximately 6% in multi-core workloads and 5.6% to 6% in single-core workloads across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This performance advantage is consistent and does not vary significantly with the benchmark version.

Users should choose the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 if they prioritize performance in rendering workloads. The Xeon's 5.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (6284 versus 5911) and its 6% lead in R23 single-core (887 versus 834) make it the superior choice for CPU-bound tasks. Additionally, the Xeon offers ECC memory support and a lower TDP of 45 watts versus 65 watts, making it more appropriate for workstation environments where data integrity and power efficiency are critical.

The Intel Core i7-4790S, however, has its own advantages. It has a higher base clock and boost clock, which may appeal to users who value raw clock speed. Its average benchmark score of 1827 is slightly higher than the Xeon's 1817, though this difference is negligible. The Core i7 also has a lower launch MSRP of $312 versus $434 for the Xeon. Given its desktop Socket 1150, it fits into traditional desktop motherboards, whereas the Xeon's BGA 1440 socket is soldered and not upgradeable.

From a pure performance standpoint, the data favors the Xeon E3-1505M v5. Its consistent wins across all six benchmarks, combined with lower power consumption and ECC support, make it the stronger engineering choice. The Core i7-4790S remains a capable processor with higher clock speeds and a lower launch MSRP, but it cannot match the Xeon's architectural efficiency. The percentile rankings are identical at 42 for both CPUs, indicating they occupy similar positions in the overall performance distribution, but the head-to-head results show the Xeon is the better performer in every workload tested.