Intel Core i3-10105 vs Intel Core i7-4790K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear split between the two processors, with the Intel Core i3-10105 winning 13 of the 19 recorded benchmarks and the Intel Core i7-4790K taking 6. The most decisive victories for the i3-10105 come in specialized compute workloads. In PassMark floating point math, the i3-10105 scores 17949 against 14597 for the i7-4790K, a 23% advantage. Data encryption shows an even larger gap: 2723 versus 2264, a 20.3% lead. Extended instruction throughput follows the same pattern, with the i3-10105 ahead by 14.1% (8648 versus 7579).

The i3-10105 also wins every Cinebench iteration recorded. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it posts 708 versus 690, a 2.6% edge. The single-core variant shows 99 against 97, a 2.1% improvement. Cinebench R20 multicore and single-core both show a 2.5% lead (2952 versus 2879, and 416 versus 406 respectively). Cinebench R23 follows with a 2.5% multicore advantage (7029 versus 6855) and a 2.6% single-core advantage (992 versus 967). PassMark multithread adds another win: 8241 versus 8062, a 2.2% margin. PassMark single-thread and singlethread results both show the i3-10105 at 2589 versus 2466, a 5% lead. Data compression also favors the newer chip: 128464 versus 121722, a 5.5% edge.

The i7-4790K, despite its age, holds distinct advantages in several workloads. Its largest win comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 34 against 20 for the i3-10105, a massive 41.2% margin. This suggests the older architecture retains a specific strength in integer-heavy prime searches. The i7-4790K also wins PassMark physics with 548 versus 467, a 14.8% lead. Geekbench multicore shows 4569 versus 4325, a 5.3% advantage for the i7-4790K, while Geekbench single-core gives it 1361 versus 1319, a 3.1% edge. Integer math is close but still favors the older chip: 29163 versus 28577, a 2% difference. Random string sorting also goes to the i7-4790K: 16431 versus 15899, a 3.2% lead.

The overall average benchmark score places the i3-10105 at 12316 versus 11745 for the i7-4790K, a gap of roughly 4.9%. Both processors sit at the 67th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rival data contextualizes these results: the i3-10105 is within 0.6% of the Intel Core i7-6700K (avg score 12237), 1.8% ahead of the AMD EPYC 9174F (12536), 1.9% ahead of the Intel Core i5-1230U (12559), and 2.2% behind the Intel Core i3-12100 (12054). The i7-4790K sits within 0.4% of the Intel Core i7-1185G7 (11697), 1.4% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7453 (11912) and Intel Core i7-7700 (11914), and 1.5% behind the Intel Xeon Gold 6342 (11574).

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent entirely different design eras. The i3-10105 uses the Comet Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, while the i7-4790K is built on 22 nm Haswell. Both are 4-core, 8-thread desktop parts, but the similarity ends there. The i3-10105 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, whereas the i7-4790K starts at 4.00 GHz base and also boosts to 4.40 GHz. The i7-4790K actually holds a base clock advantage of 0.30 GHz, yet the i3-10105 still wins most benchmarks, indicating that IPC improvements in Comet Lake outweigh the raw clock deficit.

Cache allocation differs substantially. The i3-10105 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-4790K has 8 MB of shared L3. Both share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) configuration. The i7-4790K's larger L3 is notable, but it does not translate into benchmark wins in most tested workloads. Transistor count and die size are only recorded for the i7-4790K: 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The i3-10105 has no recorded transistor or die size data in the database.

Memory support is a major divider. The i3-10105 uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i7-4790K uses DDR3, also dual-channel, but with a bandwidth of only 25.6 GB/s. That 17.1 GB/s difference in theoretical bandwidth helps explain the i3-10105's wins in data compression and encryption, workloads that often scale with memory throughput. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-10105 carries UHD Graphics 630, while the i7-4790K has Intel HD 4600. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i3-10105 is socketed for Intel Socket 1200, while the i7-4790K uses Intel Socket 1150. The i7-4790K has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i3-10105 is locked. The i3-10105 is listed as Active in production status, while the i7-4790K is End-of-life. The i7-4790K launched in 2014, and the i3-10105 in 2021.

The i7-4790K draws 88 W TDP against 65 W for the i3-10105, a 23 W difference that gives the newer part a thermal efficiency edge. The i7-4790K does have an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, but the recorded benchmarks do not reflect any overclocked state, so the numbers represent stock performance for both.

The Verdict

The data presents a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i3-10105 is the stronger processor in the majority of measured workloads. It wins 13 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests, all PassMark throughput tests except prime numbers and physics, and data compression and encryption. Its average benchmark score of 12316 is 571 points higher than the i7-4790K's 11745. The i3-10105 also benefits from a lower TDP (65 W versus 88 W), newer DDR4 memory support with higher bandwidth (42.7 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s), and a modern socket. For most desktop use cases, the i3-10105 is the better choice.

The i7-4790K is not without merit. It wins Geekbench multicore and single-core, PassMark physics, integer math, find prime numbers, and random string sorting. Its 41.2% lead in prime number finding and 14.8% lead in physics represent genuine specialization. But these wins are narrower in aggregate impact than the i3-10105's across-the-board Cinebench and floating point dominance. The i7-4790K's 8 MB of L3 cache and higher base clock may help in specific integer and physics workloads, but the i3-10105's architecture improvements deliver better results in rendering, encryption, and general multithreaded tasks.

The i7-4790K's unlocked multiplier is a consideration for enthusiasts, but the recorded data does not include overclocked results. At stock settings, the i3-10105 is the more consistent performer. Its nearest rival comparison places it within 2.2% of the Intel Core i3-12100, a newer part, while the i7-4790K sits within 1.5% of the Xeon Gold 6342. Neither CPU is trailing its peers badly, but the i3-10105's position relative to modern parts is slightly healthier.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i3-10105 wins with a score of 7029 versus 6855 for the i7-4790K, a 2.5% advantage.

Q: Does the i7-4790K win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins 6 of 19 head-to-head tests, including Geekbench multicore (4569 versus 4325), PassMark physics (548 versus 467), and PassMark find prime numbers (34 versus 20).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the i7-4790K leads by 41.2%. The largest i3-10105 win is in PassMark floating point math, with a 23% lead.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i3-10105 has an average benchmark score of 12316, while the i7-4790K averages 11745. Both sit at the 67th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What memory bandwidth do they support?

A: The i3-10105 supports DDR4 with a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i7-4790K supports DDR3 with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Are both CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The i7-4790K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i3-10105 is multiplier-locked.

Where Each One Wins

Choose the Intel Core i3-10105 for: rendering and 3D workloads (Cinebench R15, R20, R23 all favor it), data compression (5.5% lead), data encryption (20.3% lead), extended instruction processing (14.1% lead), floating point math (23% lead), general multithreaded tasks (PassMark multithread 2.2% ahead), and single-thread responsiveness (PassMark single-thread 5% ahead). Its higher memory bandwidth and lower TDP also make it the better all-around daily driver for modern desktop use.

Choose the Intel Core i7-4790K for: prime number finding (41.2% lead), physics simulation (14.8% lead), Geekbench workloads (5.3% multicore and 3.1% single-core ahead), integer math (2% lead), and random string sorting (3.2% lead). Its larger 8 MB L3 cache and higher base clock of 4.00 GHz give it a niche in integer-heavy and physics-based tasks. The unlocked multiplier also offers overclocking potential, though the recorded benchmarks reflect stock settings only.

In terms of raw benchmark wins, the i3-10105 is the more versatile processor. The i7-4790K is a specialist that still holds its own in specific legacy workloads, but the data clearly shows the i3-10105 as the stronger overall performer for the majority of users.