Xeon E3-1281 v3 vs i7-4790

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-4790
2014
4 cores / 8 threads, 84 Watt
4.57
Xeon E3-1281 v3
2014
4 cores / 8 threads, 82 Watt
4.71
+3.1%

Xeon E3-1281 v3 outperforms Core i7-4790 by a minimal 3% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking13071275
Place by popularity54not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.87no data
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency5.155.44
Architecture codenameHaswell (2013−2015)no data
Release date1 May 2014 (10 years ago)1 April 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$303no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads88
Base clock speed3.6 GHz3.7 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz4.1 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)no data
L2 cache256K (per core)no data
L3 cache8 MB (shared)8 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Chip lithography22 nm22 nm
Die size177 mm2no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1150FCLGA1150
Power consumption (TDP)84 Watt82 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX+-
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
SIPP++
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key++
Identity Protection++
OS Guard++
Anti-Theft++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3 are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 4600no data
Max video memory2 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.2 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data
VGA+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096x2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over VGA1920x1200@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX11.2/12no data
OpenGL4.3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3.

PCIe versionUp to 3.03.0
PCI Express lanes1616

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-4790 4.57
Xeon E3-1281 v3 4.71
+3.1%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-4790 7266
Xeon E3-1281 v3 7483
+3%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-4790 1243
Xeon E3-1281 v3 1299
+4.5%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-4790 3894
Xeon E3-1281 v3 4091
+5.1%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.57 4.71
Power consumption (TDP) 84 Watt 82 Watt

Xeon E3-1281 v3 has a 3.1% higher aggregate performance score, and 2.4% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3.

Note that Core i7-4790 is a desktop processor while Xeon E3-1281 v3 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-4790 and Xeon E3-1281 v3, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-4790
Core i7-4790
Intel Xeon E3-1281 v3
Xeon E3-1281 v3

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

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