CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2224 and the Intel Core i7-4790T represent two distinct approaches to four-core computing, separated by five years of architectural evolution. The Xeon E-2224 is a Coffee Lake-S workstation part from 2019, while the i7-4790T is a low-power Haswell desktop chip from 2014. Despite their shared core count, the benchmark data reveals a consistent and significant performance gap between the two, with the newer Xeon winning all six head-to-head comparisons. The average benchmark scores are remarkably close, 1762 for the Xeon versus 1755 for the i7-4790T, but this aggregate figure masks the consistent per-test advantage held by the newer processor.

Where Each One Wins

The data presents a clear-cut case: the Intel Xeon E-2224 wins in every benchmark category, with no test favoring the Core i7-4790T. The winsA count of 6 versus winsB of 0 leaves little room for interpretation. The Xeon's dominance spans both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, meaning there is no scenario in this dataset where the older i7 takes the lead.

The i7-4790T's only claim to a win is its power efficiency, a qualitative advantage not captured in the Cinebench scores. With a 45 W TDP compared to the Xeon's 71 W, the i7-4790T draws less power while delivering lower performance. This makes it a candidate for scenarios where heat output and energy consumption are paramount, though the performance penalty is substantial.

For workloads requiring maximum throughput, rendering, encoding, or any multi-threaded task, the Xeon E-2224 is the clear choice. Its 13.5% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core (614 versus 541) and 13.3% lead in R23 multi-core (6093 versus 5378) demonstrate that the newer architecture extracts more work from the same four physical cores. For single-threaded responsiveness, the Xeon again prevails, with a 13.2% edge in R15 single-core (86 versus 76) and a 13.3% edge in R23 single-core (860 versus 759).

Architecture Differences

The fundamental difference lies in the manufacturing process and core architecture. The Xeon E-2224 uses Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm², while the i7-4790T is built on the older 22 nm node with a significantly larger 177 mm² die. This process shrink is the primary driver of the Xeon's higher clock speeds and better performance-per-watt. The i7-4790T does have a transistor count listed at 1,400 million, a figure not provided for the Xeon, but the smaller die on a newer node implies greater transistor density.

The memory ecosystems differ entirely. The Xeon E-2224 supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the i7-4790T uses DDR3 with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. This 67% bandwidth advantage for the Xeon likely contributes to its multi-core performance lead, especially in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i7-4790T, making it suitable for workstation and server environments where data integrity is critical.

Clock speeds tell a similar story. The Xeon E-2224 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, while the i7-4790T operates at a much lower 2.70 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. This 0.7 GHz difference in boost clocks is the most direct explanation for the Xeon's single-core advantage. The socket difference is also notable: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-4790T uses the older Socket 1150, meaning they are not interchangeable in existing motherboards.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Xeon E-2224 includes UHD Graphics P630, while the i7-4790T has Intel HD 4600. Both are designed for basic display output rather than gaming, but the newer UHD P630 is a more modern implementation. The Xeon's market segment is listed as Server/Workstation, while the i7-4790T is a Desktop part, reinforcing their intended use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is remarkably consistent, with the Xeon E-2224 winning each test by nearly the same margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 614 against the i7-4790T's 541, a delta of 13.5%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 86 versus 76, a 13.2% difference. This consistency suggests the Xeon's advantage is structural, higher clocks and newer architecture, rather than workload-specific.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. Multi-core scores are 2559 for the Xeon and 2258 for the i7-4790T, a 13.3% delta. Single-core R20 shows 361 versus 318, a 13.5% difference. The R23 results follow suit: 6093 versus 5378 in multi-core (13.3%) and 860 versus 759 in single-core (13.3%). The narrow range of deltas, from 13.2% to 13.5%, indicates that the performance gap is uniform across all tested workloads.

The i7-4790T does have two additional Geekbench scores not present for the Xeon: 3520 multi-core and 1193 single-core. These cannot be directly compared, but they provide a reference point for the older chip's absolute performance. It is worth remembering the i7-4790T's 8 threads (with Hyper-Threading) do not offset the Xeon's higher clock speeds and newer architecture, as the multi-core deltas are nearly identical to the single-core deltas. This suggests that the i7-4790T's extra threads provide little benefit in these Cinebench workloads, likely due to the Xeon's superior per-core performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2224 has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, compared to the i7-4790T's 3.90 GHz, a difference of 0.7 GHz.

Q: Does the i7-4790T support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported on the i7-4790T. The Xeon E-2224 does support ECC memory, which is a key feature for workstation reliability.

Q: How much faster is the Xeon E-2224 in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Xeon scores 6093 versus the i7-4790T's 5378, a 13.3% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-4790T has a TDP of 45 W, while the Xeon E-2224 has a TDP of 71 W. The i7 uses less power but delivers lower performance.

Q: Do both processors have the same L3 cache?

A: Yes, both have 8 MB of shared L3 cache, with 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Which socket does each processor use?

A: The Xeon E-2224 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-4790T uses the older Intel Socket 1150.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2224 | Intel Core i7-4790T |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 71 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 126 mm² | 177 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,400 million |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics P630 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2019-05-28 | 2014-04-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $193 | Not listed |

The Verdict

The data overwhelmingly favors the Intel Xeon E-2224 for anyone seeking maximum performance. It wins all six benchmark comparisons with a consistent 13%+ margin, has a higher boost clock, supports newer DDR4 memory with greater bandwidth, and includes ECC memory support. The 14 nm process and smaller die size indicate a more modern design that delivers more work per watt, despite the higher 71 W TDP. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $193, positioning it as a workstation-class part.

The Core i7-4790T's case rests entirely on power efficiency. Its 45 W TDP is 37% lower than the Xeon's 71 W, making it attractive for compact systems or always-on machines where heat and noise are concerns. However, this efficiency comes at a steep performance cost, the i7-4790T is 13% slower in every tested metric. Its 8 threads provide no advantage in Cinebench, and the DDR3 memory interface limits memory bandwidth to 25.6 GB/s, barely over half the Xeon's 42.7 GB/s.

For a workstation or server build where ECC memory and DDR4 support are required, the Xeon E-2224 is the only choice. For a low-power desktop where performance is secondary to efficiency, the i7-4790T has a role, but it is a legacy part from 2014 with no upgrade path on modern platforms. The Xeon's consistent performance lead across single-core and multi-core workloads, combined with its newer memory architecture, makes it the superior processor in nearly every scenario. The i7-4790T's lower TDP is its sole advantage, and that advantage does not translate into any benchmark wins.