CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-4790
Core i7-6700
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i7-4790 vs Intel Core i7-6700
The Intel Core i7-4790 and Intel Core i7-6700 are both 4-core, 8-thread desktop processors from Intel, but they represent two distinct architectural generations. The i7-4790, built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process, was released in 2014, while the i7-6700, based on Skylake, arrived a year later on a 14 nm node. Despite sharing the same core and thread counts, the benchmark data shows a decisive performance shift toward the newer i7-6700, which wins 16 of 19 head-to-head tests. However, the older Haswell chip retains specific advantages in a few niche workloads, making this a nuanced comparison rather than a simple generational sweep.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?
A: The Intel Core i7-4790 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-6700 runs at 3.40 GHz. Both processors boost to 4.00 GHz.
Q: How does the i7-6700 perform in multi-core Cinebench R23 compared to the i7-4790?
A: The i7-6700 scores 6828 points in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 9.6% higher than the i7-4790's 6171 points. This margin is consistent across other multi-core tests like R15 and R20, where the i7-6700 leads by 9.7% and 9.6%, respectively.
Q: In which benchmark does the i7-4790 show its largest advantage?
A: The i7-4790's biggest win is in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where it scores 32 compared to the i7-6700's 27, a 18.5% advantage. It also edges out the i7-6700 in integer math (1.9% ahead) and random string sorting (2.7% ahead).
Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?
A: No. The i7-4790 supports only DDR3 memory, while the i7-6700 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. This gives the i7-6700 a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s for the i7-4790.
Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?
A: The i7-6700 has a significantly lower TDP of 65 watts, compared to the i7-4790's 84 watts. This makes the Skylake part more power-efficient despite delivering higher performance in most tests.
Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?
A: The i7-6700 has an average benchmark score of 11074, while the i7-4790 averages 10556. Both processors sit at the 66th percentile among all CPUs, but the i7-6700's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 9224 and Ryzen 5 3500U, while the i7-4790 sits near the AMD EPYC 7D12 and Xeon W-3175X.
Architecture Differences
The most fundamental architectural difference lies in the manufacturing process and microarchitecture. The i7-4790 uses Intel's Haswell architecture fabricated on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors and a die size of 177 mm². The i7-6700 moves to Skylake on a 14 nm process, though the transistor count and die size are not listed for this part. This process shrink is the primary driver of the i7-6700's lower TDP (65 W vs. 84 W) and higher memory bandwidth.
Cache configurations are identical: both chips feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-4790 uses the Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, while the i7-6700 upgrades to HD Graphics 530. Memory support differs substantially, as the i7-4790 is limited to DDR3, whereas the i7-6700 accepts both DDR3 and DDR4. The dual-channel memory bus remains the same, but the i7-6700's bandwidth capability jumps to 34.1 GB/s from 25.6 GB/s.
Both processors share identical PCIe support (Gen 3, 16 lanes CPU-only) and lack ECC memory support. They also both have locked multipliers, meaning no overclocking via multiplier adjustment. The socket changes from Intel Socket 1150 on the i7-4790 to Intel Socket 1151 on the i7-6700, making them physically incompatible with the same motherboards. Both parts are end-of-life, with the i7-4790 released in April 2014 and the i7-6700 in June 2015.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The benchmark data paints a clear picture of Skylake's dominance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-6700 scores 688 versus the i7-4790's 621, a 9.7% advantage. This margin is nearly identical in single-core R15 (96 vs. 87, 9.4% ahead) and carries through to R20 and R23, where the i7-6700 leads by 9.6% in both multi-core and single-core tests. Geekbench results show a narrower but still decisive gap: the i7-6700 is 6.5% ahead in multi-core (4201 vs. 3927) and 7.9% ahead in single-core (1264 vs. 1164).
PassMark workloads reveal where the i7-6700 excels and where it struggles. The biggest single delta is in data encryption, where the i7-6700 scores 2753 versus 2035, a massive 26.1% lead. Floating point math also favors the i7-6700 heavily, with a 17.3% advantage (15840 vs. 13104). Multithread performance is 9.8% higher (8051 vs. 7264), and physics tests show a 10.8% improvement (558 vs. 498). Even in single-thread PassMark tests, the i7-6700 manages a 2.2% edge (2277 vs. 2228).
However, the i7-4790 fights back in three specific areas. Its 18.5% win in prime number finding (32 vs. 27) is the largest margin for either chip. Integer math shows a modest 1.9% advantage (26129 vs. 25651), and random string sorting sees a 2.7% lead (14790 vs. 14406). These wins suggest that Haswell retains an edge in specific integer-heavy or pattern-based workloads, even as Skylake dominates across the broader benchmark suite.
Specification Differences
The two processors diverge on several specification fields. The i7-4790 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz, while the i7-6700 sits at 3.40 GHz; both boost to 4.00 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator: the i7-4790 draws 84 W, while the i7-6700 is rated at 65 W. The socket changes from 1150 to 1151. Process node differs, with the i7-4790 on 22 nm and the i7-6700 on 14 nm.
Memory support is a key split. The i7-4790 only handles DDR3, while the i7-6700 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. This drives the memory bandwidth difference of 25.6 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s. Integrated graphics differ, with the i7-4790 using Intel HD 4600 and the i7-6700 using HD Graphics 530. The i7-4790 lists 1,400 million transistors and a 177 mm² die size, while these figures are not provided for the i7-6700.
Release dates and launch MSRP also differ: the i7-4790 launched on April 30, 2014, at $312, while the i7-6700 arrived June 30, 2015, at $303. Part numbers are distinct (SR1QF for Haswell, SR2L2 for Skylake). Both processors have identical core counts, thread counts, L1/L2/L3 cache sizes, dual-channel memory buses, PCIe configurations, and locked multipliers. Neither supports ECC memory.
Where Each One Wins
The i7-6700 is the clear winner for the vast majority of workloads. It leads in every Cinebench iteration (R15, R20, R23) across both multi-core and single-core tests, with deltas consistently around 9.6-9.7%. Geekbench results also favor it, and it dominates PassMark's data encryption, floating point math, multithread, physics, and single-thread tests. For general productivity, content creation, and any application that benefits from newer architecture efficiency, the i7-6700 is the better choice. Its lower TDP (65 W vs. 84 W) also makes it more suitable for compact or thermally constrained builds, while its DDR4 support provides a modern memory pathway.
The i7-4790 retains value in specific niche scenarios. Its 18.5% advantage in prime number finding suggests it may handle certain mathematical or cryptographic workloads more efficiently. The 1.9% lead in integer math and 2.7% in random string sorting indicate that some integer-heavy or sorting algorithms still favor Haswell. For users with existing Socket 1150 motherboards and DDR3 memory, the i7-4790 offers a drop-in upgrade path that avoids platform changes. However, with only 3 wins out of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, these advantages are narrow and workload-specific.
The overall data shows the i7-6700 as the superior processor, with an average benchmark score of 11074 versus 10556 for the i7-4790. The i7-4790's nearest rivals include server-class parts like the AMD EPYC 7D12 and Intel Xeon W-3175X, while the i7-6700 sits near the AMD EPYC 9224 and Ryzen 5 3500U. Both chips are end-of-life, but the i7-6700's architectural improvements and lower power draw make it the more future-proof option for most users, provided the platform change to Socket 1151 is acceptable.