Intel Core i7-4790K vs Intel Core i7-7700 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7700 and Intel Core i7-4790K are two quad-core desktop processors separated by several generations of Intel architecture. The data shows a clear, if modest, generational shift: the i7-7700 wins 14 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i7-4790K takes the remaining 5. Despite the i7-4790K’s higher base and boost clocks, the newer i7-7700’s architectural efficiency and memory bandwidth give it the edge in most tests, though the older chip retains surprising strengths in specific integer and sorting workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-7700’s most decisive victory comes in the PassMark data encryption test, where it scores 2974 against the i7-4790K’s 2264. That is a 31.4% advantage, the largest single margin in the entire comparison. This suggests the newer Kaby Lake architecture includes significantly improved cryptographic instruction handling. Floating-point math also heavily favors the i7-7700, which posts 16904 versus 14597, a 15.8% lead. This indicates better vector and math processing capabilities, likely benefiting scientific and engineering applications.

Across the Cinebench suite, the i7-7700 is consistently about 7% faster. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 740 against 690, a 7.2% win. The single-core R15 result is identical in percentage terms: 104 versus 97, also a 7.2% margin. This pattern holds in R20 and R23, with multicore deltas of 7.1% in both cases (3084 vs 2879 and 7344 vs 6855 respectively). Even the single-core R20 and R23 tests show the same 7.1% gap (435 vs 406 and 1036 vs 967). This uniformity suggests the i7-7700’s per-clock advantage is consistent across rendering workloads.

The PassMark multithread test shows a 7.1% win for the i7-7700 (8635 vs 8062), while the physics test shows a 7.3% advantage (588 vs 548). Extended instructions also favor the newer chip by 7.2% (8128 vs 7579). Geekbench results are closer, with the i7-7700 winning multicore by just 1.6% (4640 vs 4569) and single-core by a razor-thin 0.6% (1369 vs 1361). Data compression is nearly identical, with a 0.6% edge for the i7-7700 (122429 vs 121722).

The i7-4790K’s wins, while fewer, are notable. Its strongest victory is in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 34 against the i7-7700’s 28, a 17.6% margin. This is a surprising result that points to a specific algorithmic advantage in the older Haswell design. The i7-4790K also wins integer math by 5.6% (29163 vs 27538) and random string sorting by 5.6% (16431 vs 15509). In single-thread PassMark testing, the older chip narrowly edges ahead with 2466 versus 2442, a 1% difference. These results indicate that for certain integer-heavy or sorting tasks, the i7-4790K’s higher clock speed can overcome the architectural deficit.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700 scores 7344, which is 7.1% higher than the Intel Core i7-4790K’s 6855.

Q: How much better is the i7-7700 in data encryption?

A: The i7-7700 scores 2974 in PassMark data encryption, a 31.4% advantage over the i7-4790K’s 2264. This is the largest performance gap in the entire benchmark set.

Q: Does the i7-4790K ever beat the i7-7700?

A: Yes. The i7-4790K wins in PassMark find prime numbers (34 vs 28, a 17.6% margin), integer math (29163 vs 27538, 5.6%), random string sorting (16431 vs 15509, 5.6%), and both PassMark single-thread tests (2466 vs 2442, 1%).

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The i7-7700 has an average benchmark score of 11914, while the i7-4790K averages 11745. The i7-7700 is listed as a nearest rival to the i7-4790K with a deltaPct of -1.4%, meaning the newer chip is 1.4% higher on average. Both CPUs sit at the 67th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-7700 supports DDR4. The i7-4790K supports DDR3. The i7-7700 also has higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s for the i7-4790K.

Q: Are the core and thread counts identical?

A: Yes, both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads. They also share the same L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), and L3 cache (8 MB shared).

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different Intel microarchitectures and manufacturing processes. The i7-7700 is built on Kaby Lake using a 14 nm process, while the i7-4790K is a Haswell part manufactured on a 22 nm node. This process shrink is a fundamental difference, allowing the newer chip to achieve higher performance at a lower thermal design power.

The transistor count and die size also differ significantly. The i7-4790K contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. Transistor count and die size for the i7-7700 are not listed, but the process node difference implies a denser implementation. The i7-7700 has a TDP of 65 watts, substantially lower than the i7-4790K’s 88 watts, despite the i7-4790K having higher clock speeds. This efficiency gain is a direct result of the newer manufacturing process.

Memory architecture is a major differentiator. The i7-7700 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i7-4790K uses DDR3 with dual-channel support and a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. This 50% higher theoretical bandwidth likely contributes to the i7-7700’s wins in memory-sensitive workloads like data encryption and floating-point math.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i7-7700 features HD 630 graphics, while the i7-4790K comes with Intel HD 4600. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both use the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The socket types are different, with the i7-7700 using Intel Socket 1151 and the i7-4790K using Intel Socket 1150, meaning they are not interchangeable in motherboards.

The i7-4790K has an unlocked multiplier, as indicated by its “K” designation, while the i7-7700 does not. The i7-4790K is also listed as end-of-life in production status, whereas the i7-7700 remains active. The i7-4790K’s release date is in 2014, while the i7-7700 arrived later, in 2017. The i7-4790K has a listed launch MSRP of $350; no launch MSRP is given for the i7-7700.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is clock speed. The i7-4790K has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, both higher than the i7-7700’s 3.60 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost. Despite this clock disadvantage, the i7-7700 wins most benchmarks, demonstrating superior instructions-per-clock.

Thermal design power is another key difference: the i7-7700 is rated at 65 watts, while the i7-4790K is rated at 88 watts. This makes the newer chip significantly more power-efficient. The process nodes differ as expected: 14 nm for Kaby Lake versus 22 nm for Haswell.

Memory support is different. The i7-7700 uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth; the i7-4790K uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. Both are dual-channel and neither supports ECC. Integrated graphics are HD 630 on the i7-7700 versus HD 4600 on the i7-4790K.

The socket is different: Intel Socket 1151 for the i7-7700 and Intel Socket 1150 for the i7-4790K. The i7-4790K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-7700 is locked. Production status also differs, with the i7-7700 active and the i7-4790K end-of-life. Transistor count and die size are listed only for the i7-4790K at 1,400 million and 177 mm² respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-7700 is the overall winner in terms of benchmark count, taking 14 of 19 tests. Its strengths are most pronounced in encryption, where it leads by 31.4%, and floating-point math, where it leads by 15.8%. It dominates the entire Cinebench suite with consistent 7.1% to 7.2% margins across every version and core count. It also wins in multithread performance, physics, and extended instructions. For users running rendering workloads, encryption tasks, or floating-point intensive calculations, the i7-7700 is clearly the better choice. Its lower TDP of 65 watts also makes it a more attractive option for systems where power consumption and cooling are priorities, especially given its support for DDR4 memory with higher bandwidth.

The Intel Core i7-4790K, despite being the older architecture, holds its own in specific areas. Its most significant win is in find prime numbers, where it beats the i7-7700 by 17.6%. It also wins integer math and random string sorting by 5.6% each, and edges out the i7-7700 in PassMark single-thread tests by 1%. These results suggest that for particular integer-heavy workloads, algorithm implementations that benefit from raw clock speed, or sorting tasks, the i7-4790K’s higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz can provide a tangible benefit. Its unlocked multiplier also offers overclocking potential that the i7-7700 lacks, which is a consideration for users willing to push beyond stock settings. However, its higher 88-watt TDP and DDR3 memory support make it a less efficient platform overall. The data ultimately shows that the i7-7700 is the stronger all-around performer, but the i7-4790K remains competitive in niche integer and sorting scenarios.