Intel Core i7-4790S vs Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent and decisive advantage for the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 across every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. In all six Cinebench tests, the Xeon wins, with the Core i7-4790S trailing by a margin that stays tightly clustered between 8.7% and 9.1%. This is not a case of one processor excelling in one workload and the other in another; the Xeon leads across both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering tasks.

Starting with the multi-core results, the Xeon E3-1545M v5 scores 654 in Cinebench R15, which is 9% ahead of the i7-4790S’s 595. In Cinebench R20, the gap remains at 9%, with scores of 2728 against 2482. The most recent version, Cinebench R23, shows the same pattern: 6497 for the Xeon versus 5911 for the i7, again a 9% deficit for the desktop part. The consistency of this delta across three generations of the Cinebench test is notable. It indicates that the performance difference is structural rather than workload-specific, likely rooted in the architectural and process node advantages of the newer chip.

The single-core results tell a similar story, though the margins are slightly tighter. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon leads with 92 points against 84, a 8.7% gap. The R20 single-core test shows 385 versus 350, a 9.1% difference. The R23 single-core test repeats that 9.1% delta, with scores of 917 and 834. These single-threaded results are particularly relevant because they reflect the maximum clock speed efficiency and instruction-level throughput of each architecture. The i7-4790S actually has a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz compared to the Xeon’s 3.80 GHz, yet it still loses in every single-core test. This is a clear demonstration that the Skylake architecture in the Xeon delivers more instructions per clock than the older Haswell design in the i7.

Across the entire head-to-head set, the Xeon E3-1545M v5 records 6 wins, while the i7-4790S records 0. The database’s overall average benchmark score also reflects this hierarchy. The Xeon averages 1879 across all recorded tests, placing it in the 43rd percentile of all CPUs. The i7-4790S averages 1827, placing it in the 42nd percentile. While these percentile differences are small in the broader context of all CPUs, the direct comparison leaves no ambiguity: the Xeon is the faster processor.

It is notably the i7-4790S, despite its lower scores, is not far behind in absolute terms. A 9% deficit in rendering workloads is meaningful, but it is not a generational gap. The i7’s nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Xeon D-1537 and the Intel Xeon E5-2608L v3, both with an average score of 1830, which is a delta of -0.2% from the i7’s 1827. Meanwhile, the Xeon E3-1545M v5 sits among rivals like the Intel Processor U300 with an 1881 average score, a delta of -0.1%. This shows that both CPUs are in the same performance class, but the Xeon is closer to the upper edge of that class.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 is the superior processor in every measured workload. If the choice is based purely on computing performance, the Xeon wins outright. It posts higher scores in all six Cinebench tests, has a higher overall average score (1879 versus 1827), and a higher percentile ranking (43rd versus 42nd). The Xeon’s advantage is consistent across both single and multi-threaded scenarios, which makes it the better choice for any application that relies on CPU throughput, whether that is rendering, encoding, or general productivity.

However, the i7-4790S is not without its merits. It is a desktop processor on the Intel Socket 1150 platform, while the Xeon is a server/workstation part on the BGA 1440 platform. This means the i7 is user-upgradeable and can be paired with a wider range of motherboards, whereas the Xeon is typically soldered onto a motherboard. For a user building a new system, the i7 represents a more standard and flexible platform choice. The i7 also has a higher base clock and boost clock, which might make it feel snappier in short, lightly threaded tasks, even though the benchmarks show the Xeon is faster in sustained single-core loads.

For users who prioritize raw performance and do not require socket flexibility, the Xeon is the clear choice. It is also the only one of the two that supports ECC memory, which is a critical feature for server and workstation reliability. For users who need a drop-in replacement for an existing 1150 platform, or who value the option to upgrade the CPU independently of the motherboard, the i7-4790S is the more practical option. The data does not support choosing the i7 for speed, but it does support choosing it for platform compatibility.

Where Each One Wins

Looking strictly at the recorded benchmark results, the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 wins in every single category. There is no benchmark where the i7-4790S takes the lead. The Xeon wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core, R15 single-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The deltas are consistent, ranging from -8.7% to -9.1% in favor of the Xeon. The Xeon also wins on the aggregate metrics: higher average benchmark score and higher percentile rank.

However, the i7-4790S has a few non-benchmark advantages worth considering. It has a higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 2.90 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.00 GHz versus 3.80 GHz). While these clocks do not translate into wins in the Cinebench tests, they may indicate a higher maximum instantaneous frequency for short bursts of activity. The i7 also has a lower default TDP of 65 watts compared to the Xeon’s 45 watts, which is a counterintuitive advantage for the Xeon: the Xeon delivers more performance while consuming less power. The i7’s advantage is in compatibility: it uses the widely available Socket 1150, whereas the Xeon uses the BGA 1440 socket, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable platform. For desktop builders, the i7 is the only one of the two that can be paired with a discrete and replaceable CPU.

In terms of memory, the Xeon supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i7 only supports DDR3. The Xeon’s memory bandwidth is 34.1 GB/s, which is higher than the i7’s 25.6 GB/s. This is a significant advantage for memory-intensive workloads. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the i7 does not. So, while the Xeon wins all computing benchmarks, the i7 wins on platform flexibility, and the Xeon wins on platform capabilities.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 scores 6497, which is 9% higher than the Intel Core i7-4790S’s 5911.

Q: How much of a single-core lead does the Xeon have over the i7 in Cinebench R15?**

A: The Xeon scores 92 points to the i7’s 84 in Cinebench R15 single-core, a lead of 8.7%.

Q: Does the i7-4790S have any benchmark win over the Xeon?**

A: No. In the head-to-head benchmark set, the Xeon wins all 6 tests, and the i7 wins 0.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score in the database?**

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 has an average benchmark score of 1879, while the Intel Core i7-4790S has an average score of 1827.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?**

A: The Xeon E3-1545M v5 has a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i7-4790S has 25.6 GB/s, a difference of 8.5 GB/s.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?**

A: No. The Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 has ECC memory support, while the Intel Core i7-4790S does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i7-4790S uses the Haswell architecture, which is the company’s 22 nm process node. The Xeon E3-1545M v5 uses the Skylake-H architecture, which is built on a 14 nm process node. This process shrink is the primary reason the Xeon can deliver higher performance while also having a lower TDP of 45 watts compared to the i7’s 65 watts.

The transistor count also reflects this generational jump. The i7-4790S contains 1,400 million transistors on a die size of 177 mm². The Xeon E3-1545M v5 contains 2,300 million transistors on a slightly smaller die size of 171 mm². This means the Xeon packs 64% more transistors into a smaller physical area, which explains its superior performance per clock.

In terms of core configuration, both parts have 4 cores and 8 threads, so the multi-threading capability is identical. Both also have the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the performance difference is not due to a cache size advantage, but rather to the architectural efficiency of Skylake over Haswell.

The memory support differs significantly. The i7-4790S is limited to DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and a 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon E3-1545M v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, also on a dual-channel bus, but with a higher 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. This allows the Xeon to feed its cores with data faster, which helps in large data sets. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which is a feature absent from the i7.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i7-4790S has Intel HD 4600, while the Xeon E3-1545M v5 has Iris Pro Graphics P580, which is a more capable integrated GPU with higher execution units. The Xeon is also classified as a Server/Workstation segment, while the i7 is a Desktop segment. The i7 uses the Socket 1150, which is a desktop socket that allows for CPU replacement. The Xeon uses BGA 1440, which is a soldered mobile socket, meaning it is not user-upgradeable. The i7 was released in May 2014, while the Xeon was released in January 2016. Both are end-of-life products, but the Xeon is newer and features the more advanced process node.