Intel Core i7-4790 vs Intel Core i7-6700 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads, the Intel Core i7-6700 or the Intel Core i7-4790?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700 wins every single-core benchmark in the comparison. It leads by 10.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 10.7% in Cinebench R20 single-core, 10.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core, 8.6% in Geekbench single-core, and 2.2% in PassMark single-thread.

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

A: The i7-6700 holds a consistent edge across multi-threaded tests. It scores 688 versus 621 in Cinebench R15 multicore (10.8% higher), 2867 versus 2591 in R20 (10.7% higher), and 6828 versus 6171 in R23 (10.6% higher). PassMark multithread also favors the i7-6700 at 8051 versus 7264, a 10.8% advantage.

Q: Are there any tests where the older i7-4790 wins?

A: Yes, three tests go to the i7-4790. It wins PassMark find prime numbers (32 versus 27, a 15.6% margin), PassMark integer math (26129 versus 25651, a 1.8% margin), and PassMark random string sorting (14790 versus 14406, a 2.6% margin).

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

A: The largest delta is in PassMark data encryption, where the i7-6700 scores 2753 versus 2035 for the i7-4790, a 35.3% advantage. The second largest is PassMark floating point math, with the i7-6700 ahead by 20.9% (15840 versus 13104).

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The i7-6700 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i7-4790 supports DDR3 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the i7-6700 has higher recorded memory bandwidth at 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Do the two CPUs use the same socket?

A: No. The i7-6700 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-4790 uses Intel Socket 1150. They are not interchangeable between motherboards.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-6700 is built on the Skylake architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-4790 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel and both are end-of-life desktop parts.

The core and thread counts are identical: 4 cores and 8 threads on each chip. The cache layout also matches in structure, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite the same cache hierarchy, the underlying microarchitecture differs, which explains the performance deltas seen in the benchmarks.

Memory support is a key architectural split. The i7-6700 supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i7-4790 is limited to DDR3. Both run dual-channel memory, but the recorded memory bandwidth is higher on the i7-6700 at 34.1 GB/s compared to 25.6 GB/s. The i7-4790 has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz versus 3.40 GHz on the i7-6700, though both boost to 4.00 GHz.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-6700 carries HD Graphics 530, while the i7-4790 uses Intel HD 4600. Both CPUs support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory. The i7-4790 has a larger reported transistor count of 1,400 million and a die size of 177 mm², while those figures are not recorded for the i7-6700. The i7-6700 also has a lower TDP at 65 watts versus 84 watts for the i7-4790.

The i7-6700 was released later, with a launch date of June 30, 2015, versus April 30, 2014, for the i7-4790. The launch MSRP for the i7-6700 was $303, while the i7-4790 launched at $312. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-6700 is the clear winner in the majority of workloads. Out of 19 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, it takes 16 wins. Its advantages are most pronounced in encryption, floating point math, and multi-threaded rendering workloads. The 35.3% lead in data encryption and the 20.9% lead in floating point math indicate a substantial architectural improvement for compute-heavy tasks. The consistent 10% to 11% gains across all three Cinebench versions, both multicore and single-core, show that the Skylake design delivers a broad uplift in CPU-bound applications.

The i7-4790 wins only 3 tests, and those wins are narrow or workload-specific. Its best result is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it beats the i7-6700 by 15.6%. It also edges out the i7-6700 in integer math by 1.8% and random string sorting by 2.6%. These are isolated tasks that do not point to any general advantage for the older chip. In practical terms, a user moving from the i7-4790 to the i7-6700 would see improvements in almost every measured category, with the exception of a few integer-heavy or sorting-specific routines.

Specification Differences

Both processors share the same core count (4), thread count (8), boost clock (4.00 GHz), L1 cache per core (64 KB), L2 cache per core (256 KB), L3 cache (8 MB shared), PCIe support (Gen 3, 16 lanes), ECC support (no), market segment (Desktop), and production status (End-of-life). Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The differences are as follows:

• Base clock: 3.40 GHz on the i7-6700, 3.60 GHz on the i7-4790
• TDP: 65 watts on the i7-6700, 84 watts on the i7-4790
• Socket: Intel Socket 1151 on the i7-6700, Intel Socket 1150 on the i7-4790
• Architecture: Skylake on the i7-6700, Haswell on the i7-4790
• Process node: 14 nm on the i7-6700, 22 nm on the i7-4790
• Transistors: Not recorded for the i7-6700, 1,400 million on the i7-4790
• Die size: Not recorded for the i7-6700, 177 mm² on the i7-4790
• Memory support: DDR3 and DDR4 on the i7-6700, DDR3 only on the i7-4790
• Memory bandwidth: 34.1 GB/s on the i7-6700, 25.6 GB/s on the i7-4790
• Integrated graphics: HD Graphics 530 on the i7-6700, Intel HD 4600 on the i7-4790
• Release date: June 30, 2015 for the i7-6700, April 30, 2014 for the i7-4790
• Launch MSRP: $303 for the i7-6700, $312 for the i7-4790
• Part number: SR2L2 for the i7-6700, SR1QF for the i7-4790

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the comparison is PassMark data encryption. The i7-6700 scores 2753 against 2035, a 35.3% advantage. This is the largest single delta between the two chips and points to a major improvement in the cryptographic instruction handling of Skylake. The i7-6700 also dominates PassMark floating point math, scoring 15840 versus 13104, a 20.9% gap.

Cinebench results are remarkably consistent. The i7-6700 leads by 10.8% in R15 multicore (688 versus 621), 10.3% in R15 single-core (96 versus 87), 10.7% in R20 multicore (2867 versus 2591), 10.7% in R20 single-core (404 versus 365), 10.6% in R23 multicore (6828 versus 6171), and 10.7% in R23 single-core (964 versus 871). This uniformity suggests the clock-for-clock and IPC gains of Skylake translate evenly across rendering workloads.

Geekbench also favors the i7-6700, with a 7% lead in multicore (4201 versus 3927) and an 8.6% lead in single-core (1264 versus 1164). PassMark multithread shows a 10.8% advantage for the i7-6700 (8051 versus 7264), and PassMark physics adds a 12% win (558 versus 498). Extended instructions go to the i7-6700 by 9.8% (7505 versus 6835), and data compression by 3.8% (113748 versus 109623). Single-thread PassMark results are closer, with the i7-6700 ahead by just 2.2% (2277 versus 2228).

The i7-4790 has its moments. It wins PassMark find prime numbers by 15.6% (32 versus 27), which is the only test where it wins by a double-digit margin. It also takes PassMark integer math by 1.8% (26129 versus 25651) and PassMark random string sorting by 2.6% (14790 versus 14406). These wins are real but narrow, and they do not offset the i7-6700's broader dominance across rendering, encryption, physics, and general compute tests.

The Verdict

The data points clearly to the Intel Core i7-6700 as the stronger processor in this matchup. It wins 16 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench test, both Geekbench tests, and the majority of PassMark workloads. The largest margins, 35.3% in data encryption and 20.9% in floating point math, are substantial enough to matter in real workloads that depend on those operations. The consistent 10% to 11% gains across all Cinebench versions make it the better choice for rendering and multi-threaded productivity.

The i7-4790 is not without merit. It has a higher base clock at 3.60 GHz, which may help in lightly threaded scenarios that do not hit the boost ceiling. Its wins in integer math, random string sorting, and prime number finding show that certain integer-heavy routines still run slightly faster on the Haswell design. However, those wins are isolated and mostly small, with only the prime number test exceeding a 3% margin.

For a user choosing between these two on the used market, the socket difference is the immediate deciding factor. The i7-6700 requires a Socket 1151 board, while the i7-4790 needs Socket 1150. If a motherboard is already owned, the platform dictates the choice. If building fresh, the i7-6700 offers better performance, lower TDP at 65 watts versus 84 watts, support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, and higher recorded memory bandwidth. The i7-4790 had a higher launch MSRP at $312 versus $303, but both parts are long end-of-life, so those figures are historical context rather than current guidance.

The i7-4790 is the pick only for workloads that specifically favor its integer and sorting results, or for users already invested in a Socket 1150 platform with no desire to change boards. For everyone else, the i7-6700 is the superior part, with wins in nearly every measured category and a notably lower power draw.