Intel Core i7-4860HQ vs Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a remarkably consistent picture across all six head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 wins every single benchmark in the database, with the margin hovering tightly between 14.6% and 14.8%. This uniformity suggests a fundamental clock-for-clock advantage rather than workload-specific behavior.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Xeon scores 612 against the Core i7-4860HQ's 533, a 14.8% lead. The single-core test tells the same story: 86 versus 75, a 14.7% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore gap remains at 14.7% (2550 versus 2224), and the single-core delta is identical at 14.7% (359 versus 313). The newest test in the database, Cinebench R23, shows the Xeon at 6072 multicore and 857 single-core, while the i7-4860HQ manages 5297 and 747 respectively. Those represent 14.6% and 14.7% deficits.

The consistency is striking. Across six tests spanning three generations of Cinebench, the delta never deviates more than 0.2 percentage points. This implies the performance relationship is structural, tied to base frequency and boost behavior, not to any particular instruction mix or cache sensitivity. The Xeon's base clock of 3.50 GHz versus the i7's 2.40 GHz, and its boost of 3.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz, aligns neatly with the observed margins.

It is worth remembering the i7-4860HQ does have one additional benchmark in the database, Geekbench multicore at 3527 and singlecore at 1045. However, there is no corresponding Geekbench result for the Xeon, so no direct comparison can be drawn from that test. The Xeon's win count stands at 6, the i7's at 0.

Where Each One Wins

The data does not leave much room for nuance. The Xeon E3-1241 v3 wins in every scenario captured by the benchmark suite. Multicore workloads, which typically favor higher thread counts and sustained all-core boost, go to the Xeon by roughly 15%. Single-core workloads, which depend on per-thread performance and maximum boost frequency, also go to the Xeon by the same margin. There is no test in the database where the i7-4860HQ comes out ahead.

That said, the i7-4860HQ does have one distinct advantage that does not show up in raw compute scores: its integrated graphics. The database lists Intel HD 5200 for the i7, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics at all. For a system that needs display output without a discrete GPU, the i7 is the only option between the two. Additionally, the i7's 47 W TDP is significantly lower than the Xeon's 80 W, which matters for thermal design and power delivery in compact or mobile chassis.

The Xeon, by contrast, offers ECC memory support, a feature absent from the i7. That makes it the data-backed choice for error-correcting memory in server or workstation configurations. The Xeon also uses the Intel Socket 1150, a desktop platform, while the i7 uses Intel BGA 1364, which is soldered and not upgradeable. For a fixed system that leverages ECC, the Xeon wins. For a low-power mobile or all-in-one design with integrated graphics, the i7 has the edge despite its lower compute scores.

The percentile data places both CPUs at the 41st percentile among all recorded processors, meaning they sit in the same performance tier globally. Their average benchmark scores differ: 1756 for the Xeon and 1720 for the i7, a modest 2.1% gap in aggregate. The nearest rivals for the Xeon include the Intel Core i7-4790T at 1755 (0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE at 1750 (0.4% delta). The i7-4860HQ's nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE at 1722 (-0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i7-4910MQ at 1716 (0.3% delta). These rival positions suggest both CPUs are competitive within their respective market segments, though the Xeon sits slightly higher in absolute terms.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded benchmarks, the Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 is the faster processor in every measured workload. Its 14.6% to 14.8% lead across all Cinebench tests is decisive and consistent. Anyone comparing these two purely on compute performance should select the Xeon without hesitation.

However, the i7-4860HQ is not without reason to exist. Its integrated HD 5200 graphics, 47 W TDP, and mobile BGA package make it suitable for systems where the Xeon physically cannot fit or where a discrete GPU is not an option. The Xeon requires a discrete GPU for display output, has a higher thermal envelope, and is designed for Socket 1150 desktop platforms.

The data also shows the Xeon has ECC memory support, a feature that the i7 lacks. For reliability-focused workloads such as file servers or compute nodes where memory errors are unacceptable, that alone can justify the Xeon. For a laptop or an all-in-one system where power consumption and integrated graphics are priorities, the i7 is the only viable choice.

In terms of market positioning, the Xeon is listed as Server/Workstation, while the i7 is Mobile. Both are end-of-life, so neither represents a current investment. But within the historical record, the Xeon clearly dominates in raw throughput, while the i7 offers a different set of trade-offs centered on integration and efficiency. The verdict: pick the Xeon for performance and ECC, pick the i7 for graphics and low power, and do not expect the i7 to match the Xeon in any compute benchmark recorded here.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 scores 6072, while the Intel Core i7-4860HQ scores 5297. The Xeon leads by 14.6%.

Q: Does the Core i7-4860HQ beat the Xeon in any benchmark?

A: No. Across all six head-to-head comparisons, the Xeon wins every test. The i7 has additional Geekbench results in the database, but no corresponding Xeon result exists for comparison.

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

A: The Xeon E3-1241 v3 has a TDP of 80 W, while the Core i7-4860HQ has a TDP of 47 W. The i7 is the lower-power option.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-4860HQ does not.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Core i7-4860HQ has Intel HD 5200 integrated graphics, while the Xeon E3-1241 v3 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What are the base clock speeds of each CPU?

A: The Xeon E3-1241 v3 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz, and the Core i7-4860HQ has a base clock of 2.40 GHz. Their boost clocks are 3.90 GHz and 3.60 GHz, respectively.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Haswell architecture and use a 22 nm process node from Intel's foundry. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, and both feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The similarities end there.

The Xeon E3-1241 v3 uses the Haswell-WS codename and has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i7-4860HQ uses the Crystalwell codename and has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. That 2 MB difference in L3 could contribute to the Xeon's performance lead in cache-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark data alone cannot isolate that effect.

The die sizes differ substantially. The Xeon has a die size of 160 mm², while the i7-4860HQ has a die size of 264 mm². Both have 1,400 million transistors. The larger die on the i7 is likely due to the integrated Intel HD 5200 graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely. The i7's integrated graphics also explains its higher power efficiency in some contexts, despite the larger die.

The Xeon is a server/workstation part with ECC memory support, while the i7 is a mobile part without ECC. The Xeon uses the Intel Socket 1150, which is a socketed desktop platform, while the i7 uses Intel BGA 1364, a ball-grid array that is soldered to the motherboard. This makes the Xeon upgradeable or replaceable, while the i7 is fixed to its board.

Both use dual-channel DDR3 memory and have a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The specifications that differ between the two processors are as follows. The Xeon E3-1241 v3 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz, while the Core i7-4860HQ has 2.40 GHz. The Xeon boosts to 3.90 GHz, the i7 to 3.60 GHz. The Xeon has a TDP of 80 W, the i7 has 47 W.

The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1150, the i7 uses Intel BGA 1364. The Xeon's codename is Haswell-WS, the i7's is Crystalwell. The Xeon has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, the i7 has 6 MB. The Xeon's die size is 160 mm², the i7's is 264 mm².

The Xeon supports ECC memory, the i7 does not. The i7 has integrated Intel HD 5200 graphics, the Xeon has none. The Xeon is classified as Server/Workstation, the i7 as Mobile. The Xeon's part number is SR1R4, the i7's is SR1BP.

The Xeon was released on 2014-05-10, the i7 on 2014-01-31. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $273, while the i7 has no launch MSRP recorded. The Xeon's average benchmark score is 1756, the i7's is 1720. Both sit at the 41st percentile among all CPUs in the database.