Intel Core i7-4790T vs Intel Core i7-990X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark record shows a clear split between these two processors. The Intel Core i7-990X wins six of the eight head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-4790T takes the remaining two. However, the margin of victory in each direction tells a more nuanced story.

In Cinebench testing, the i7-990X is consistently ahead. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 611 against 541 for the i7-4790T, a 12.9% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows an even larger gap: 86 versus 76, a 13.2% lead. This pattern repeats across the newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multicore, the i7-990X posts 2549 versus 2258, again 12.9% ahead. The R20 single-core test shows 359 versus 318, a 12.9% delta. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the trend with 6071 against 5378, and R23 single-core shows 857 versus 759, both at 12.9% deltas. The consistency of the 12.9% margin across multiple Cinebench versions suggests a stable performance ceiling difference in that workload family.

The i7-4790T strikes back decisively in Geekbench. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 3520 versus 2612 for the i7-990X, a 25.8% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result is even more lopsided: 1193 versus 556, a 53.4% lead. These are substantial reversals, indicating that the newer architecture has a significant edge in the specific workloads Geekbench exercises.

The average benchmark scores reflect this split. The i7-990X has an average benchmark score of 1713, placing it in the 40th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-4790T averages 1755, good for the 41st percentile. Despite the i7-990X winning more individual tests, the i7-4790T holds a slight overall average advantage.

For context, the i7-990X sits within 0.2% of the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U, the Intel Core i7-4910MQ, the Intel Xeon E5-1620 v3, and the Intel Xeon E3-1265L v4 in average score. The i7-4790T is similarly clustered near the Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3, Intel Core i5-5675C, AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE, and Intel Xeon E-2224, all within 0.4% of its average.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two parts spans three generations of Intel design. The i7-990X uses the Westmere architecture under the Gulftown codename, built on a 32 nm process. It is a six-core, twelve-thread processor. The i7-4790T uses the Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm process, with four cores and eight threads.

The transistor counts reflect the process and design differences. The i7-990X contains 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. The i7-4790T packs 1,400 million transistors into a smaller 177 mm² die. The newer 22 nm process allows Haswell to pack more transistors into less silicon area.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache is larger on the i7-990X at 12 MB, compared to 8 MB on the i7-4790T. This gives the six-core part more last-level cache for its additional cores.

Memory architecture also diverges. The i7-990X uses triple-channel DDR3 memory, while the i7-4790T uses dual-channel DDR3. The database records a memory bandwidth figure of 25.6 GB/s for the i7-4790T; no equivalent bandwidth number is recorded for the i7-990X. PCIe support differs: the i7-990X offers Gen 2, while the i7-4790T provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The i7-4790T includes integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics. The i7-990X has no integrated graphics recorded in the database. This is a meaningful feature difference for systems that rely on the CPU's built-in display output.

Clock behavior is notable. The i7-990X has a base clock of 3.47 GHz and a boost clock of 3.73 GHz. The i7-4790T has a lower base clock of 2.70 GHz but a higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The i7-4790T therefore boosts 0.17 GHz higher, which helps explain its strong single-core Geekbench showing despite fewer cores.

The multiplier situation differs: the i7-990X has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-4790T is locked. Thermal design power is dramatically different: 130 W for the i7-990X versus 45 W for the i7-4790T. The i7-4790T draws less than half the power budget of the older part.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-990X is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads across the board. Its six cores and twelve threads give it a structural advantage in rendering tasks that scale with core count. The 12.9% lead in R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests confirms that the extra two cores and four threads translate into measurable throughput gains in this type of workload. The 13.2% single-core R15 win suggests that even in lightly threaded Cinebench tests, the older part's higher base clock and architecture hold up well.

The i7-4790T dominates in Geekbench, both single-core and multicore. The 53.4% single-core advantage is the largest margin in the entire comparison. This indicates that Haswell's per-core efficiency, higher boost clock, and architectural improvements deliver substantial gains in the diverse set of tasks Geekbench uses. The 25.8% multicore Geekbench win shows that even with two fewer cores, the i7-4790T can outperform the i7-990X in workloads that favor the newer architecture.

For use-case planning, the i7-990X suits sustained multi-threaded rendering tasks like Cinebench-style 3D workloads. Its 12 MB of L3 cache and six physical cores provide a solid foundation for parallel compute. The unlocked multiplier also makes it a candidate for overclocking scenarios, though the database does not record specific overclocking results.

The i7-4790T suits power-constrained environments and workloads that favor per-core performance. Its 45 W TDP makes it far easier to cool and power than the 130 W i7-990X. The integrated HD 4600 graphics allow for display output without a discrete GPU, and the Gen 3 PCIe support offers more modern expansion bandwidth. The higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz benefits bursty, single-threaded tasks.

The overall database ranking slightly favors the i7-4790T, with a 41st percentile placement versus 40th for the i7-990X. The average benchmark scores are close: 1755 versus 1713. This suggests that for general-purpose use, the newer part's efficiency and per-core strength roughly offset the older part's core count advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. Core count: 6 versus 4. Thread count: 12 versus 8. Base clock: 3.47 GHz versus 2.70 GHz. Boost clock: 3.73 GHz versus 3.90 GHz. TDP: 130 W versus 45 W. Socket: Intel Socket 1366 versus Intel Socket 1150. Architecture: Westmere versus Haswell. Process node: 32 nm versus 22 nm. Transistors: 1,170 million versus 1,400 million. Die size: 239 mm² versus 177 mm².

L3 cache: 12 MB shared versus 8 MB shared. Memory bus: triple-channel versus dual-channel. The i7-4790T records 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth; the i7-990X has no bandwidth figure in the database. PCIe: Gen 2 versus Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics: none versus Intel HD 4600. Multiplier: unlocked versus locked. Part numbers: SLBVZ for the i7-990X, SR1QS for the i7-4790T.

Release dates differ by roughly three years. The i7-990X launched on February 23, 2011. The i7-4790T launched on April 30, 2014. Both are end-of-life production parts. Neither has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Both support DDR3 memory, both have 64 KB L1 cache per core, both have 256 KB L2 cache per core, and neither supports ECC memory. Both are desktop market segment parts from Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-990X has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i7-4790T has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Why does the i7-4790T win Geekbench single-core by such a large margin?

A: The i7-4790T scores 1193 in Geekbench single-core versus 556 for the i7-990X, a 53.4% advantage. The newer Haswell architecture, 22 nm process, and higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz contribute to this result.

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks overall?

A: The i7-990X wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests, all of them Cinebench variants. The i7-4790T wins the two Geekbench tests.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-4790T has an average benchmark score of 1755 and sits in the 41st percentile. The i7-990X has an average of 1713 and sits in the 40th percentile.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The i7-990X has a TDP of 130 W, while the i7-4790T has a TDP of 45 W. The i7-4790T consumes substantially less power.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the i7-990X nor the i7-4790T supports ECC memory. Both support DDR3 memory.