Intel Core i7-4790S vs Intel Core i7-8706G Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8706G and the Intel Core i7-4790S are both 4-core, 8-thread processors with a 65W TDP, but they represent entirely different eras and market segments. The data is unambiguous: the i7-8706G wins every single head-to-head benchmark in this comparison, taking all 6 tests with a consistent margin of roughly 7.7%. The i7-4790S, a desktop part from 2014, cannot match the newer mobile processor's efficiency and architectural improvements. For any workload measured here, the i7-8706G is the superior choice; the i7-4790S remains a capable older desktop chip, but it is outclassed in every metric recorded.

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes a clear case for the Intel Core i7-8706G as the outright performance winner. Across all six Cinebench tests—ranging from R15 to R23, both single-core and multi-core—the i7-8706G posts higher scores, with deltas between 7.1% and 7.8%. Its multi-core advantage is consistent, showing a 7.7% lead in R15, R20, and R23. The single-core results tell the same story, with the i7-8706G leading by 7.1% in R15 and 7.8% in R23. For a user prioritizing raw compute in these rendering workloads, the i7-8706G is the only rational pick.

The i7-4790S does not win a single benchmark in this head-to-head, but its average benchmark score of 1827 places it in the same percentile (42nd) as the i7-8706G (1842). This proximity in overall average score, despite the consistent Cinebench deficits, suggests the i7-4790S remains competitive in other untested workloads. However, based strictly on the provided data, the i7-8706G is the better performer. The i7-4790S should only be considered if the desktop platform, DDR3 memory support, or its specific socket (Intel Socket 1150) is a hard requirement, as its performance is measurably lower in every direct comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The i7-8706G uses the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake G codename, manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process. In contrast, the i7-4790S uses the older Haswell architecture, codenamed Haswell, on a 22 nm process. This generational gap explains the performance delta, as the newer 14 nm node offers efficiency and clock-for-clock improvements over the 22 nm design.

The i7-8706G is a mobile part (market segment: Mobile) with an integrated Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU, whereas the i7-4790S is a desktop part with Intel HD 4600 graphics. The i7-4790S does have a documented transistor count of 1,400 million and a die size of 177 mm², while these figures are not listed for the i7-8706G. Cache configurations are identical in structure: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The i7-8706G supports DDR4 memory, while the i7-4790S supports DDR3, with a dual-channel memory bus and 25.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The i7-4790S also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while PCIe information is absent for the i7-8706G. The i7-8706G was released on 2018-01-31 and is marked Active, while the i7-4790S was released on 2014-05-10 and is End-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant wins for the i7-8706G come in the multi-core Cinebench tests, where it consistently outperforms the i7-4790S by 7.7%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-8706G scores 641 against the i7-4790S's 595. This margin persists in R20 multi-core (2674 vs 2482) and R23 multi-core (6368 vs 5911). The single-core results are equally one-sided. The i7-8706G scores 90 in R15 single-core, 377 in R20 single-core, and 899 in R23 single-core. The i7-4790S trails with 84, 350, and 834 respectively. The deltas for single-core are 7.1% (R15), 7.7% (R20), and 7.8% (R23).

The consistency of the 7.7% to 7.8% delta across nearly all tests indicates a uniform architectural advantage rather than workload-specific optimization. The i7-8706G's boost clock of 4.10 GHz, higher than the i7-4790S's 4.00 GHz, contributes to this lead. The i7-4790S does have a slightly higher base clock (3.20 GHz vs 3.10 GHz), but that does not translate into any benchmark victory. In the only additional benchmark available for the i7-4790S (Geekbench), it scores 3307 multi-core and 1056 single-core, but no direct comparison exists for the i7-8706G, so these numbers do not factor into the head-to-head tally.

Specification Differences

The core specifications show a few key divergences. The i7-8706G has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the i7-4790S operates at 3.20 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, and both have a 65W TDP. The process node differs significantly: 14 nm for the i7-8706G versus 22 nm for the i7-4790S. Memory support is distinct, with the i7-8706G using DDR4 and the i7-4790S using DDR3 (dual-channel, 25.6 GB/s bandwidth). The sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 2270 (mobile) for the i7-8706G versus Intel Socket 1150 (desktop) for the i7-4790S. The integrated graphics differ, with the i7-8706G featuring a Radeon RX Vega M GL and the i7-4790S featuring Intel HD 4600. The i7-4790S has a launch MSRP of $312; no such figure is provided for the i7-8706G. The i7-8706G is a mobile part, while the i7-4790S is a desktop part. Production status also differs: Active for the i7-8706G versus End-of-life for the i7-4790S.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G is faster, scoring 6368 compared to the i7-4790S's 5911, a 7.7% difference.

Q: Does the i7-4790S have a higher base clock than the i7-8706G?

A: Yes, the i7-4790S has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, while the i7-8706G has a base clock of 3.10 GHz. However, the i7-8706G has a higher boost clock of 4.10 GHz versus 4.00 GHz.

Q: Are both processors compatible with the same memory type?

A: No. The i7-8706G supports DDR4 memory, while the i7-4790S supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-8706G is marked as Active, while the Intel Core i7-4790S is marked as End-of-life.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-8706G has an average benchmark score of 1842, and the i7-4790S has an average score of 1827. Both are in the 42nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What are the integrated graphics on each chip?

A: The i7-8706G has a Radeon RX Vega M GL, while the i7-4790S has an Intel HD 4600.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8706G wins in every benchmark category recorded in the head-to-head data. It takes all 6 tests, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This makes it the clear choice for any workload that resembles these rendering tasks. Its higher boost clock (4.10 GHz) and newer 14 nm architecture give it a decisive edge in both single-threaded responsiveness and multi-threaded throughput. The i7-8706G is also the only one of the two that is still in production, making it a more viable option for current system builds, provided the mobile BGA 2270 socket is appropriate.

The Intel Core i7-4790S, despite losing all direct comparisons, still holds a position in the same performance percentile (42nd) as the i7-8706G based on average benchmark scores. Its wins are contextual rather than performance-based. It is a desktop processor with a standard Socket 1150, which allows for easier system integration in traditional desktop motherboards. It also supports DDR3 memory, which can be an advantage for users with existing DDR3 modules. The i7-4790S has a documented transistor count and die size, and it lists a launch MSRP of $312, offering a historical reference point. For users constrained to a desktop platform or those requiring DDR3 compatibility, the i7-4790S is the only option of the two, but the data clearly shows it will deliver lower Cinebench scores across the board.