Intel Core i7-4790

The Intel Core i7-4790 is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor built on Intel’s 22 nm Haswell architecture, released in 2014 and now end-of-life. It operates at a base clock of 3.60 GHz with a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, fits the Intel Socket 1150, and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Its benchmark profile places it in the 71st percentile of all tested CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 11499, positioning it as a capable legacy part that still holds its own against much newer server and workstation silicon.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Core i7-4790’s benchmark results reveal a distinct split between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the processor scores 871 in single-core and 6174 in multi-core, yielding a multi-core to single-core ratio of roughly 7.1x. That ratio is higher than the raw 4-core/8-thread count might suggest, indicating that the Hyper-Threading implementation and the 4.00 GHz boost clock scale well across all eight logical processors. For comparison, the Cinebench R20 scores are 365 single-core and 2593 multi-core, while R15 shows 87 single-core and 622 multi-core—each maintaining a similar proportional relationship.

Single-thread performance is solid for its era, with a Passmark single-thread score of 2228. This places it comfortably ahead of many older quad-core parts, though it trails modern high-IPC designs. The Passmark multithread score of 7264 confirms that the processor leverages its eight threads effectively, but the single-thread score is the more relevant figure for legacy applications that rely on one or two cores. In tasks like data compression, the Passmark score of 109623 suggests strong parallel throughput, while data encryption at 2035 indicates that cryptographic workloads, which often scale with thread count, benefit from the 8-thread configuration.

The practical implication is that the i7-4790 behaves like a classic quad-core with hyper-threading: it excels in lightly-threaded tasks where the 4.00 GHz boost is fully utilized, but it also provides meaningful gains in multithreaded rendering or encoding workloads. For office productivity and web browsing, the single-thread score is the dominant factor, and the data shows it is more than sufficient for those tasks. However, in heavily parallel workloads such as video rendering, the multi-core scores—while respectable—are clearly outclassed by the higher-core-count rivals listed in the nearestRivals table. The average benchmark score of 11499 sits within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 (11469) and 1.5% of the AMD EPYC 73F3 (11334), which is striking given the generational gap, but those rivals achieve their scores with far more cores, making the i7-4790’s per-core efficiency the more notable trait.

Power and Thermals

The Core i7-4790 carries a TDP of 84 watts, a figure that defines its cooling and power-delivery requirements. For a 22 nm processor with a 4.00 GHz boost clock, 84 watts is a moderate draw, implying that a capable air cooler is sufficient for stock operation. The processor’s die size is 177 mm², with 1,400 million transistors, which is typical for the Haswell generation and contributes to its thermal density. Under sustained all-core loads, the multi-thread benchmarks (e.g., Cinebench R23 multi-core at 6174) indicate that the processor can maintain its boost clocks without excessive throttling, but users should expect heat output commensurate with an 84-watt TDP class part.

The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics share the same thermal envelope, though the data does not include separate GPU benchmarks. For a desktop processor of this vintage, the 84-watt TDP means that standard tower coolers and even some low-profile coolers can handle it, provided the case has adequate airflow. The lack of an unlocked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked: false) means overclocking is not an option, so the thermal solution does not need headroom beyond stock boost behavior. In a system with dual-channel DDR3 memory, the 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth is another factor that influences thermal output, but the CPU itself remains the primary heat source.

Compared to modern rivals, the 84-watt TDP is modest. The nearest rivals—such as the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 or the Intel Xeon Gold 6342—are not characterized by TDP in the FACT PACK, so no direct thermal comparison is possible. However, the data indicates that the i7-4790’s power draw is manageable within a standard desktop chassis, and its end-of-life status means that thermal solutions from its era are widely available and inexpensive. For users repurposing this processor, the 84-watt figure suggests that a stock Intel cooler or a budget aftermarket cooler will suffice, with no need for liquid cooling or high-end air towers.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark data points to specific workload profiles where the Core i7-4790 remains relevant. For gaming, the single-thread performance—Cinebench R23 single-core 871 and Passmark single-thread 2228—is the critical metric, as most game engines prioritize single-core speed. The 4.00 GHz boost clock provides adequate headroom for older titles and many esports games, though modern AAA games that utilize more than four threads will benefit from the eight logical processors. The Passmark physics score of 498 is low compared to newer parts, indicating that physics-heavy simulations may suffer, but for general gaming the processor is viable.

For content creation, the multi-thread scores tell a nuanced story. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6174 is roughly 30% lower than what a modern 8-core processor might achieve, but for light video editing or photo batch processing, the 8 threads are sufficient. The Passmark integer math score of 26129 and floating-point math of 13104 suggest solid arithmetic throughput for encoding tasks, while the extended instructions score of 6835 indicates support for modern instruction sets that accelerate certain workloads. However, the Passmark find prime numbers score of 32 is notably low, which may indicate weaker integer-heavy computation in specific algorithms—a consideration for scientific or data-analysis tasks.

Office and productivity use is where the i7-4790 shines most. The single-thread performance, combined with the 8 MB shared L3 cache, ensures snappy response in word processing, spreadsheet, and web-browsing scenarios. The Passmark random string sorting score of 14790 shows that data manipulation tasks, common in database work, are handled efficiently. The processor’s 71st percentile ranking among all CPUs further confirms that it outperforms the majority of processors in the database, making it a sensible choice for budget-conscious builds that rely on DDR3 memory and Socket 1150 motherboards. The launch MSRP is $312, though this is historical data and not a current market price.

FAQ

Q: What is the Core i7-4790’s boost clock speed?

A: The boost clock is 4.00 GHz, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz.

Q: How does the Core i7-4790 compare to the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 in average benchmark score?

A: The i7-4790 has an average score of 11499, which is 0.3% higher than the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945’s 11469.

Q: Does the Core i7-4790 support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported; it uses dual-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: What is the TDP of the Core i7-4790?

A: The TDP is 84 watts, which implies a standard air cooler is sufficient for stock operation.

Q: What is the processor’s single-thread score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 871, while the multi-core score is 6174.

Q: Is the Core i7-4790 overclockable?

A: No, the multiplier is locked (multiplierUnlocked: false), so overclocking is not supported.

Benchmark Performance

The Core i7-4790’s average benchmark score of 11499 places it in a tight cluster with several high-end server processors. Against the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 7945, which scores 11469, the i7-4790 is 0.3% ahead—a negligible margin that is well within run-to-run variance. More interesting is the comparison to the Intel Xeon Gold 6342, which scores 11574; here the i7-4790 trails by 0.6%. The AMD EPYC 73F3 (11334) and AMD EPYC 7402 (11312) are behind by 1.5% and 1.7%, respectively. These deltas are all under 2%, meaning the i7-4790 delivers performance statistically equivalent to these much newer, higher-core-count processors in the aggregate benchmark.

Digging into specific workloads, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6174 is the strongest indicator of sustained all-core performance. When compared to the nearest rivals, none of which have listed Cinebench scores in the FACT PACK, the relative positioning must be inferred from the average benchmark scores. The 0.3% lead over the Ryzen 9 PRO 7945 suggests that, on average, the i7-4790 holds its own despite having only 4 cores versus the Ryzen’s likely higher core count. The Passmark multithread score of 7264 reinforces this, showing that the eight threads are utilized efficiently.

Single-thread performance, however, is where the i7-4790 shows its age. The Passmark single-thread score of 2228 and Cinebench R23 single-core of 871 are respectable but clearly below modern flagship parts. The data does not include single-thread scores for the nearest rivals, so no direct delta is available, but the average benchmark score gap of less than 2% suggests that the i7-4790 compensates for lower single-thread speed with strong multithread scaling. The passmark extended instructions score of 6835 indicates that the Haswell architecture supports AVX2, which helps in modern workloads that use vectorized code.

The percentile rank of 71 is a key metric: it means the i7-4790 outperforms 71% of all CPUs in the database, which includes many newer parts. This is a testament to the efficiency of the 22 nm design and the 4.00 GHz boost clock. The data compression score of 109623 is particularly strong, exceeding what many newer mid-range processors achieve, while the integer math score of 26129 shows solid arithmetic throughput. The floating-point score of 13104 is more modest, suggesting that heavy FPU workloads like scientific simulation are not this processor’s forte, but general productivity and light creation tasks are well within its capabilities.

In summary, the benchmark data shows the i7-4790 as a balanced performer that punches above its weight in aggregate scores, thanks to high clock speeds and efficient hyper-threading. Its nearest rivals are all server-class parts with far higher core counts, yet the i7-4790 matches or slightly exceeds them on average, making it a remarkable legacy option for users on a Socket 1150 platform. The 71st percentile ranking and the sub-2% deltas to the nearest rivals confirm that, for its intended workloads, the i7-4790 remains a competitive choice in the database’s historical context.