Intel Core i7-4790S vs Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i7-4790S has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon offers more than double the core count and thread count.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790S boosts to 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 does not have a recorded boost clock in the database. The i7-4790S also has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz compared to the Xeon's 1700.00 MHz base clock.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-4790S does not. This is a key differentiator for workstation and server reliability requirements.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790S has an average benchmark score of 1827, while the Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 scores 1777. The i7-4790S sits at the 42nd percentile of all CPUs, and the Xeon sits at the 41st percentile.

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

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-4790S supports dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon offers exactly double the memory bandwidth.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790S includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for a server processor.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm Haswell architecture, but they target very different segments. The Intel Core i7-4790S uses the Haswell desktop design, while the Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 uses the Haswell-EP server variant. The Xeon packs 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die, compared to the i7-4790S's 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. That is a substantial difference in silicon complexity.

Cache configuration differs significantly. The i7-4790S has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon E5-4610 v3 has 25 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the Xeon's larger L3 pool benefits workloads with large working sets.

Memory architecture is a major split. The i7-4790S uses dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon uses quad-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the i7 does not. PCIe lane counts differ too: the i7 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon provides Gen 3 with 40 lanes. For multi-GPU or high-throughput I/O setups, the Xeon is clearly the more capable platform.

The i7-4790S includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, while the Xeon has none. The i7 targets the desktop socket 1150, while the Xeon uses socket 2011-3. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $1219, and the i7-4790S launched at $312. Both are end-of-life products, but they serve different markets: desktop versus server/workstation.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 wins in every recorded head-to-head benchmark, but the margins are modest. For multi-threaded rendering workloads like Cinebench, the Xeon's 10 cores and 20 threads give it a consistent edge. The database shows the Xeon winning multicore tests by roughly 3.8% to 3.9%. For users running heavily threaded applications such as video encoding, virtualization hosts, or scientific computing, the Xeon's core count and 25 MB L3 cache provide the structural advantage.

The Intel Core i7-4790S wins in scenarios where its higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and 4.00 GHz boost matter more than raw core count. The i7's average benchmark score of 1827 is higher than the Xeon's 1777, which suggests that in mixed or lightly threaded workloads, the i7 can come out ahead despite losing the single-core head-to-head tests. The i7 also has integrated graphics, which means a build without a discrete GPU is possible. Its 65 W TDP makes it much easier to cool and power in a compact desktop system.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the i7's boost clock of 4.00 GHz is a clear advantage in everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, and older software that does not scale across many cores. However, the recorded single-core benchmarks show the Xeon winning by 3.4% to 3.8%, which indicates the Xeon's per-core performance is not weak despite its lower base clock.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4790S | Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 10 |

| Threads | 8 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1700.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | null |

| TDP | 65 W | 105 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 2011-3 |

| Codename | Haswell | Haswell-EP |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 2,600 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 356 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 25 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | false | true |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | null |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2014-05-10 | 2015-05-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $312 | $1219 |

| Part Number | SR1QM | SR22S |

The Xeon has 2.5 times the cores, 3.125 times the L3 cache, and double the memory bandwidth. The i7 has a much higher base clock and a boost clock, while the Xeon has no recorded boost. The i7's TDP of 65 W is significantly lower than the Xeon's 105 W. The Xeon also has 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus the i7's 16 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and the Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 wins all six. The margins are small but consistent. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 619 against the i7-4790S's 595, a 3.9% lead. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, the Xeon scores 87 against 84, a 3.4% lead. The pattern holds in newer Cinebench versions.

Cinebench R20 multicore shows the Xeon at 2580 versus the i7's 2482, a 3.8% difference. Single-core R20 shows 364 versus 350, also 3.8%. Cinebench R23 multicore has the Xeon at 6144 versus 5911, a 3.8% gap, and single-core R23 shows 867 versus 834, again 3.8%. Across every test, the Xeon maintains a narrow but real advantage.

The i7-4790S also has Geekbench scores in the database: 3307 multicore and 1056 singlecore. No Geekbench scores are recorded for the Xeon, so direct comparison there is not possible. The average benchmark score favors the i7 at 1827 versus 1777, a 2.8% difference in the i7's favor. This discrepancy is notable: the Xeon wins all Cinebench tests, yet the i7 has a higher aggregate score across all recorded benchmarks. The i7's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon D-1537 and Xeon E5-2608L v3 at 1830, both 0.2% behind, and the Xeon E5-1630 v3 at 1823, 0.2% ahead. The Xeon E5-4610 v3's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1300 at 1778, 0.1% behind, and the Intel Xeon E5-2637 v3 at 1773, 0.2% ahead.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear split between these two processors. If the workload is heavily multi-threaded, the Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 is the better choice. It wins every Cinebench test in the database, from R15 through R23, in both single-core and multi-core. Its 10 cores, 20 threads, and 25 MB of L3 cache provide the foundation for sustained throughput in rendering, compilation, and server tasks. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support, quad-channel DDR4, and 40 PCIe lanes, making it the appropriate platform for a workstation or small server that needs reliability and high I/O capacity.

If the workload is lighter or the system needs to be compact and efficient, the Intel Core i7-4790S is the more practical option. Its 65 W TDP means easier cooling and lower power draw. Its 4.00 GHz boost clock gives it strong single-threaded performance for everyday applications. The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic builds. The i7's higher average benchmark score of 1827 versus the Xeon's 1777 suggests that in general-purpose mixed workloads, the i7 can hold its own or even outperform the Xeon despite losing every head-to-head Cinebench test.

The Xeon's launch MSRP was $1219, while the i7-4790S launched at $312. Both are end-of-life products now, but the price gap reflects their intended markets. For a desktop user who wants a low-power Haswell system with integrated graphics and a high boost clock, the i7-4790S is the logical pick. For a professional who needs many cores, ECC memory, and high memory bandwidth, the Xeon E5-4610 v3 is the server-grade solution. The benchmark record shows the Xeon winning all six head-to-head tests, but the margins are under 4% in every case. The i7-4790S is not embarrassed by the comparison; it is simply outmatched in raw multi-threaded output. The choice depends on whether the system needs server features or desktop efficiency.