Intel Core i5-5675C vs Intel Core i7-4790T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-5675C and Intel Core i7-4790T are two very different interpretations of the same socket, and the benchmark data reveals a fascinating split. Both processors land at the 41st percentile of all CPUs and have nearly identical average benchmark scores (1759 vs 1755), yet their performance profiles could hardly be more distinct. The i5-5675C, a Broadwell part, wins decisively in Geekbench tests, while the i7-4790T, a Haswell part with Hyper-Threading, sweeps every Cinebench test. The data suggests that the choice between them hinges entirely on which benchmark suite you trust.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-5675C holds a marginal edge, with an average benchmark score of 1759 compared to the i7-4790T's 1755. This places them virtually tied, with the i5-5675C showing a 0.2% delta over its rival.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790T is the clear winner, scoring 5378 points versus the i5-5675C's 4912 points. This represents an 8.7% advantage for the i7-4790T in this demanding multi-threaded workload.

Q: Does the i5-5675C win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the i5-5675C dominates in Geekbench. It scores 4159 in the multi-core test and 1388 in the single-core test, while the i7-4790T manages 3520 and 1193 respectively. The i5-5675C's lead is 18.2% in multi-core and 16.3% in single-core.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The i5-5675C has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-4790T has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i7-4790T's Hyper-Threading technology doubles its thread count, which is likely a key factor in its Cinebench victories.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790T boosts up to 3.90 GHz, which is higher than the i5-5675C's 3.60 GHz. However, the i5-5675C has a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz compared to the i7-4790T's 2.70 GHz.

Q: Are there differences in their integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i5-5675C features Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the i7-4790T is equipped with Intel HD 4600. The i5-5675C's graphics solution is notably more advanced, though no specific performance numbers are available in the data.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural divide is process node and generation. The i5-5675C is built on Intel's 14 nm Broadwell architecture, while the i7-4790T uses the older 22 nm Haswell design. This process shrink gives the i5-5675C a die size of 182 mm², slightly larger than the i7-4790T's 177 mm², despite the older chip packing 1,400 million transistors. The i5-5675C's transistor count is not listed, but the smaller node typically allows for denser packing.

Cache configuration is another major differentiator. The i5-5675C has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-4790T offers double that at 8 MB. Both share identical L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) caches. The i7-4790T's larger L3 cache, combined with its 8 threads, suggests a design aimed at sustained multi-threaded workloads, whereas the i5-5675C's smaller cache points to a focus on efficiency and lower latency.

The i7-4790T is a lower-power part with a 45 W TDP, while the i5-5675C consumes 65 W. This is counterintuitive given the i5-5675C's newer node, but the i7-4790T's lower base clock of 2.70 GHz (versus 3.10 GHz) likely contributes to its power efficiency. The i7-4790T compensates with a higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz, creating an interesting dynamic where the Haswell chip ramps higher but starts lower.

Production status also differs: the i5-5675C is listed as Active, while the i7-4790T is End-of-life. The i5-5675C also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i7-4790T is locked. Both support DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus with identical 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, use the Intel Socket 1150, and lack ECC support. Their PCIe implementations are also identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data presents a stark split. The i7-4790T wins 6 out of 8 benchmarks, all in the Cinebench suite, while the i5-5675C takes the 2 Geekbench tests. The Cinebench results are remarkably consistent, with the i7-4790T leading by roughly 8.5% to 9.2% across all versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-4790T scores 541 against the i5-5675C's 495, an 8.5% delta. The single-core R15 test shows 76 versus 69, a 9.2% advantage for the i7-4790T.

The pattern holds in R20 and R23. In R20 multi-core, the i7-4790T scores 2258 versus 2063, an 8.6% lead, and in single-core it wins 318 to 291, an 8.5% margin. The R23 results are nearly identical in percentage terms: 5378 versus 4912 in multi-core (8.7%) and 759 versus 693 in single-core (8.7%). This consistency across three generations of Cinebench suggests a fundamental architectural advantage for the i7-4790T in these workloads.

The Geekbench results invert the picture entirely. The i5-5675C scores 4159 in multi-core, an 18.2% lead over the i7-4790T's 3520. In single-core, the i5-5675C scores 1388 versus 1193, a 16.3% advantage. These are much larger deltas than the Cinebench margins, indicating that the Broadwell architecture has a significant edge in Geekbench's specific workload characteristics. The i5-5675C's wins are bigger in percentage terms than the i7-4790T's, suggesting the Broadwell chip has a more pronounced advantage in its favored tests.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but context-dependent verdict. For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the i7-4790T is the superior choice, offering roughly 9% better performance across the board. Its 8 threads and 8 MB of L3 cache appear to provide a consistent edge in these compute-intensive tasks, despite its older 22 nm process.

However, for Geekbench-oriented tasks, the i5-5675C is dramatically better, with leads of 16-18%. This suggests that the newer Broadwell architecture has significant advantages in memory latency, instruction efficiency, or other microarchitectural improvements that Geekbench captures. The i5-5675C's active production status and unlocked multiplier also make it a more future-proof option.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the i5-5675C at 1759 and the i7-4790T at 1755. This means neither chip is objectively faster overall; they simply excel in different domains. The i7-4790T's wins are more numerous (6 of 8 tests) but narrower, while the i5-5675C's wins are fewer but more decisive. Users should choose based on their specific workload, not on aggregate scores.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-5675C has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-4790T has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ: 3.10 GHz for the i5-5675C versus 2.70 GHz for the i7-4790T. Boost clocks also differ, with the i7-4790T reaching 3.90 GHz versus the i5-5675C's 3.60 GHz. TDP is notably different: 65 W for the i5-5675C and 45 W for the i7-4790T.

The architecture and process node differ fundamentally: Broadwell on 14 nm for the i5-5675C versus Haswell on 22 nm for the i7-4790T. The i7-4790T lists 1,400 million transistors, while the i5-5675C does not specify a count. Die size is 182 mm² for the i5-5675C and 177 mm² for the i7-4790T. L3 cache differs significantly: 4 MB shared for the i5-5675C versus 8 MB shared for the i7-4790T.

Integrated graphics are different: Iris Pro Graphics 6200 on the i5-5675C versus Intel HD 4600 on the i7-4790T. The i5-5675C has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-4790T is locked. Production status differs: Active for the i5-5675C and End-of-life for the i7-4790T. The i5-5675C has a launch MSRP of $276, while the i7-4790T has no listed launch MSRP. Release dates differ, with the i7-4790T released on 2014-04-30 and the i5-5675C on 2015-05-14.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-4790T is the winner in all Cinebench tests, which are classic CPU rendering benchmarks. This makes it the better choice for users running 3D rendering, video encoding, or other multi-threaded compute tasks that resemble Cinebench's workload. Its 8 threads and larger 8 MB L3 cache appear to give it a substantial edge in these scenarios, despite its lower base clock and older architecture. The consistency of its wins, ranging from 8.5% to 9.2% across R15, R20, and R23, indicates that this advantage is robust and not workload-specific within the Cinebench suite.

The i5-5675C is the clear winner in Geekbench, with much larger margins of 16.3% and 18.2%. This suggests it excels in tasks that Geekbench measures, which often include cryptography, compression, and memory-intensive operations. The Broadwell architecture's newer design seems to provide significant improvements in these areas. The i5-5675C's higher base clock of 3.10 GHz likely helps in single-threaded scenarios, even though its boost clock is lower than the i7-4790T's.

For users who rely on Geekbench as their primary metric, the i5-5675C is the obvious pick, offering nearly a fifth more performance. For those who trust Cinebench, the i7-4790T is the safer bet. The i7-4790T also wins in power efficiency with its 45 W TDP, though the i5-5675C's newer node may offer better performance-per-watt in certain scenarios. The i5-5675C's unlocked multiplier and active production status make it more appealing for enthusiasts, while the i7-4790T's end-of-life status limits its long-term viability.