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

The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 and the Intel Core i7-4790T are both 22 nm Haswell parts, but they are engineered for entirely different corners of the Intel lineup. The Xeon E5-4610 v3 is a 10-core, 20-thread server processor on Socket 2011-3, while the Core i7-4790T is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop chip on Socket 1150. The benchmark data shows a complete sweep: the Xeon wins all six shared head-to-head tests, but the average benchmark scores and percentile rankings tell a more nuanced story about where each part actually fits.

Where Each One Wins

The data splits cleanly by workload type. The Xeon E5-4610 v3 wins every multi-core test by a consistent margin, which points to its clear advantage in heavily threaded rendering and compute tasks. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 6144 against the i7-4790T’s 5378, a 14.2% lead. That lead repeats across Cinebench R15 multi-core (619 vs 541, 14.4% ahead) and Cinebench R20 multi-core (2580 vs 2258, 14.3% ahead). If the workload scales across many threads, the Xeon’s 10 cores and 20 threads simply outperform the i7’s 4 cores and 8 threads.

The surprise is single-core performance. The Xeon also wins every single-core test, despite its much lower base clock of 1700 MHz versus the i7’s 2700 MHz base and 3900 MHz boost. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon scores 867 versus 759, a 14.2% advantage. The same pattern holds in R15 single-core (87 vs 76, 14.5%) and R20 single-core (364 vs 318, 14.5%). This is unexpected for a server chip with a low clock speed, and it suggests the Xeon’s architecture or cache configuration gives it an edge in lightly threaded tasks that the clock-speed disadvantage does not erase.

The i7-4790T has one clear domain: efficiency and platform flexibility. Its 45 W TDP is less than half the Xeon’s 105 W, and it includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600) that the Xeon lacks entirely. The i7 also supports DDR3 memory and fits on the more common Socket 1150, while the Xeon requires Socket 2011-3 and DDR4. For a compact desktop build where power draw and integrated graphics matter, the i7 wins. For raw compute throughput, the Xeon wins every single benchmark.

Architecture Differences

Both chips share the Haswell architecture and are built on Intel’s 22 nm process, but their physical designs diverge sharply. The Xeon E5-4610 v3 uses the Haswell-EP codename and packs 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. The i7-4790T uses the plain Haswell codename and contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The Xeon’s die is exactly double the area and nearly double the transistor count, which explains its ability to house 10 cores versus the i7’s 4.

Cache configuration amplifies the core-count gap. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is dramatically different: the Xeon has 25 MB shared, while the i7 has 8 MB shared. That 17 MB difference in last-level cache likely contributes to the Xeon’s single-core performance advantage, as more cache can reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data.

Memory support is a major architectural split. The Xeon uses DDR4 with a quad-channel memory bus and 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The i7 uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth, exactly half the Xeon’s throughput. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the i7 does not. PCIe lane counts differ as well: the Xeon provides 40 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the i7 offers 16 Gen 3 lanes. The Xeon targets server/workstation duty with ECC and high memory bandwidth; the i7 targets desktop use with lower cost and integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Xeon E5-4610 v3 wins all six shared tests, with margins ranging from 14.2% to 14.5%. The most decisive wins come in single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon scores 87 against the i7’s 76, a 14.5% delta. That is the largest percentage gap in the entire comparison. The Xeon repeats this in R20 single-core (364 vs 318, 14.5%) and R23 single-core (867 vs 759, 14.2%).

Multi-core margins are nearly identical. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the Xeon at 619 versus 541, a 14.4% lead. R20 multi-core has the Xeon at 2580 versus 2258, a 14.3% edge. R23 multi-core closes at 6144 versus 5378, also 14.2%. The consistency of these deltas — all hovering within a 0.3 percentage point range — suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific. The Xeon simply delivers about 14% more performance across the board in this benchmark suite.

The i7-4790T does appear in additional benchmarks not shared with the Xeon. It scores 3520 in Geekbench multi-core and 1193 in Geekbench single-core. These numbers are not directly comparable to the Xeon because no Geekbench results exist for the server part in this dataset. However, the i7’s average benchmark score of 1755 sits close to the Xeon’s 1777, a difference of just 22 points (roughly 1.2%). Both chips land at the 41st percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same overall performance tier despite the Xeon winning every direct test.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split. Pick the Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 if the workload is compute-heavy and can use 10 cores and 20 threads. It wins every Cinebench test by at least 14.2%, offers 25 MB of shared L3 cache, supports ECC memory, and provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Its 51.2 GB/s quad-channel DDR4 memory bandwidth is double the i7’s, which matters for memory-bound server tasks. The Xeon’s 41st percentile ranking and average score of 1777 place it in the same overall tier as the i7, but its head-to-head dominance shows it is the stronger compute part.

Pick the Intel Core i7-4790T if the build prioritizes power efficiency and platform simplicity. Its 45 W TDP is 60 W lower than the Xeon’s 105 W, making it far easier to cool in compact systems. It includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU. It runs on the ubiquitous Socket 1150 with DDR3, which is cheaper and more common than the Xeon’s Socket 2011-3 and DDR4 requirement. The i7’s 4 cores and 8 threads are sufficient for general desktop use, and its 3900 MHz boost clock gives it higher peak frequency than the Xeon’s 1700 MHz base — though the benchmark data shows the Xeon still wins single-core tests. The i7 also has Geekbench results available (3520 multi-core, 1193 single-core), which the Xeon lacks in this dataset, making the i7 easier to compare against other desktop parts.

For anyone choosing strictly on benchmark performance, the Xeon is the winner. For anyone choosing on power draw, integrated graphics, or platform cost, the i7 is the practical option despite losing every direct benchmark.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the Intel Core i7-4790T has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Xeon win all head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Xeon E5-4610 v3 wins all six shared Cinebench tests, with delta percentages ranging from 14.2% to 14.5%.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Xeon E5-4610 v3 has a TDP of 105 W, while the Core i7-4790T has a TDP of 45 W.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E5-4610 v3 supports ECC memory. The Core i7-4790T does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Xeon E5-4610 v3 provides 51.2 GB/s via quad-channel DDR4, while the Core i7-4790T provides 25.6 GB/s via dual-channel DDR3.

Q: Do both CPUs have integrated graphics?

A: No, only the Core i7-4790T has integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600). The Xeon E5-4610 v3 has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

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

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

| Cores | 10 | 4 |

| Threads | 20 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1700 MHz | 2700 MHz |

| Boost Clock | Not listed | 3900 MHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 45 W |

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

| Codename | Haswell-EP | Haswell |

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

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 177 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

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

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | $1219 | Not listed |