Intel Core i5-1035G4 vs Intel Core i7-4790S Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1035G4 and the Intel Core i7-4790S are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they belong to different eras and market segments. The i5-1035G4 is a modern Ice Lake mobile chip, while the i7-4790S is a Haswell desktop part from 2014. Benchmark results are unambiguous: the i5-1035G4 wins every head-to-head Cinebench test, despite having a much lower base clock and a fraction of the power budget. The data shows a consistent performance advantage of roughly 8.9% across most workloads, with a slightly smaller edge in one single-core test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison covers six Cinebench tests, and the i5-1035G4 takes all of them. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-1035G4 scores 648 against 595 for the i7-4790S, a delta of 8.9%. The single-core R15 result is closer: 91 versus 84, a delta of 8.3%. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-1035G4 posts 2703 multi-core and 381 single-core, while the i7-4790S manages 2482 and 350 respectively, again a delta of 8.9% in both. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R23: 6436 versus 5911 multi-core, and 908 versus 834 single-core, both with an 8.9% delta.

These results are notable because the i7-4790S has a higher boost clock (4.00 GHz versus 3.70 GHz) and a higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 1.10 GHz). Yet the i5-1035G4 still outperforms it in every measured metric. The average benchmark score also favors the i5-1035G4: 1861 versus 1827. Both processors sit at the 42nd percentile among all CPUs, but the i5-1035G4 achieves that standing with a 15 W TDP, while the i7-4790S consumes 65 W. The performance per watt is dramatically better on the newer chip.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The i5-1035G4 uses the Ice Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, while the i7-4790S uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process. The die size reflects this: the i5-1035G4 measures 123 mm², whereas the i7-4790S is 177 mm². The i7-4790S also has a listed transistor count of 1,400 million, while the i5-1035G4 does not provide that figure in the database.

Cache configurations differ as well. The i5-1035G4 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, while the i7-4790S has 64 KB per core. Both have 256 KB of L2 per core. The shared L3 cache is larger on the i7-4790S: 8 MB versus 6 MB. Despite the smaller L3, the i5-1035G4 still wins in benchmarks, suggesting that the newer architecture and memory subsystem compensate.

Memory support is another major split. The i5-1035G4 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i7-4790S uses DDR3, also dual-channel, but with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. That is exactly half the bandwidth. The i5-1035G4 also integrates Iris Plus graphics, while the i7-4790S has Intel HD 4600. Both have PCIe Gen 3, but the i7-4790S specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-1035G4 simply lists Gen 3.

The market segments are opposite: the i5-1035G4 is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP and an Intel BGA 1526 socket, while the i7-4790S is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP and an Intel Socket 1150. The i5-1035G4 is still in active production, whereas the i7-4790S is end-of-life. Release dates confirm the generational gap: the i5-1035G4 launched on 2019-07-31, and the i7-4790S on 2014-05-10.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench?

A: The Intel Core i5-1035G4 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests. The deltas range from 8.3% in R15 single-core to 8.9% in R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core.

Q: How does the i5-1035G4 achieve higher performance with a lower base clock?

A: The i5-1035G4 uses a newer 10 nm Ice Lake architecture, supports DDR4 memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, and has a higher L1 cache per core (80 KB versus 64 KB). These factors outweigh the i7-4790S's higher clock speeds.

Q: Which processor is more power efficient?

A: The i5-1035G4 has a TDP of 15 W, while the i7-4790S has a TDP of 65 W. The i5-1035G4 delivers better performance while consuming less than a quarter of the power.

Q: Which has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-4790S has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-1035G4 has 6 MB. Despite the smaller cache, the i5-1035G4 still wins in all benchmarks.

Q: Which supports DDR4 memory?

A: The i5-1035G4 supports DDR4, while the i7-4790S supports DDR3. The i5-1035G4 also has double the memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s).

Q: Which is designed for mobile use?

A: The i5-1035G4 is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP and an Intel BGA 1526 socket. The i7-4790S is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP and an Intel Socket 1150.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i5-1035G4 is the superior processor in every benchmark recorded. It wins all six Cinebench tests, has a higher average benchmark score (1861 versus 1827), and does so with a fraction of the power draw. The i7-4790S offers a higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 1.10 GHz) and more L3 cache (8 MB versus 6 MB), but these advantages do not translate into any performance win. The i5-1035G4 also brings modern features like DDR4 support, a smaller 10 nm process, and active production status. The i7-4790S is end-of-life and limited to DDR3. For anyone choosing between these two, the i5-1035G4 is the clear pick based on measured performance and efficiency.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i5-1035G4 | Intel Core i7-4790S |

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

| Base Clock | 1100.00 MHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1526 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Ice Lake | Haswell |

| Codename | Ice Lake-U | Haswell |

| Generation | Core i5 (Sunny Cove-U) | Core i7 (Haswell) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 123 mm² | 177 mm² |

| Transistors | Not specified | 1,400 million |

| L1 Cache (per core) | 80 KB | 64 KB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 6 MB | 8 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Plus | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2019-07-31 | 2014-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $312 |

| Part Number | SRGKK | SR1QM |

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

Where Each One Wins

The i5-1035G4 wins in every head-to-head benchmark, so the performance category belongs entirely to it. It also wins on efficiency, with a 15 W TDP versus 65 W, and on modern memory support, with DDR4 and double the bandwidth. Its mobile form factor and active production status make it the logical choice for new systems, especially laptops and compact devices.

The i7-4790S does not win any of the six recorded Cinebench tests. Its only advantages are a higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 1.10 GHz), a higher boost clock (4.00 GHz versus 3.70 GHz), and a larger L3 cache (8 MB versus 6 MB). These specifications may appeal to users with legacy DDR3 motherboards or those who need a desktop socket, but they do not overcome the i5-1035G4's architectural lead. The i7-4790S is end-of-life, so it offers no path forward for new builds. In short, the i5-1035G4 is the winner across all measured performance metrics, and the i7-4790S is best suited only for existing Haswell platforms where an upgrade to a newer socket is not possible.