Intel Core i7-4790K

The Intel Core i7-4790K is a desktop processor built on the Haswell architecture, released in 2014 with a launch MSRP of $350. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The chip is manufactured on Intel's 22 nm process and is now end-of-life, but its benchmark data remains relevant for legacy systems and comparisons. Its average benchmark score of 11738 places it at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, indicating that despite its age, it still holds a mid-pack position in overall performance.

Platform and Compatibility

The i7-4790K uses the Intel Socket 1150, which was the mainstream desktop socket for the Haswell generation. The architecture is Haswell, with a codename of the same name, and the processor is part of the Core i7 (Haswell) generation. The memory controller supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, offering a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, which is typical for consumer desktop chips. For expansion, the CPU provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, which are available for discrete graphics or other high-bandwidth devices. The integrated graphics is the Intel HD 4600, allowing basic display output without a dedicated GPU.

The platform is end-of-life, meaning no new motherboards are being produced for Socket 1150, and the upgrade path within the same socket is limited to other Haswell or Haswell-Refresh processors. However, the i7-4790K itself was the top-tier offering for this socket, so users looking to upgrade would need to move to a different platform entirely. The unlocked multiplier (as indicated by the "K" suffix) allows overclocking, but the rest of the platform, such as the memory and PCIe capabilities, remains fixed to the specifications above.

Power and Thermals

The i7-4790K has a TDP of 88 W, which places it in a moderate power class for a desktop processor. Given its 22 nm process node and 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, the power density is manageable. The 88 W TDP implies that a standard air cooler with a 92 mm or 120 mm fan would be sufficient, but no specific cooler size is mandated by the data. For overclocking, which is enabled by the unlocked multiplier, a more robust cooling solution would be advisable, but the base TDP suggests that the chip does not require exotic cooling in stock configuration. The integrated HD 4600 GPU also contributes to the thermal load, but the TDP figure already accounts for the entire package.

Who Should Consider It

The i7-4790K's benchmark results show a balanced profile that suits several workloads. For gaming, the single-thread performance is strong, as evidenced by a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 967 and a Passmark single-thread score of 2466. These numbers indicate that the processor can handle most titles that rely on single-threaded performance, though modern games that leverage multiple cores will still benefit from the 8 threads. In productivity and content creation, the multi-threaded scores are respectable for a 4-core/8-thread part: Cinebench R23 multi-core reaches 6853, and Passmark multi-thread is 8062. These results suggest that the i7-4790K can manage light video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation, but it will lag behind more modern CPUs with higher core counts.

For office and general desktop tasks, the processor is more than adequate, with Geekbench multi-core at 4401 and single-core at 1403. The integrated HD 4600 GPU can drive everyday applications and even some older games at low settings. Given its end-of-life status, this CPU is best suited for users building a budget legacy system or upgrading an existing Socket 1150 motherboard, rather than for new high-performance builds. The 71st percentile ranking among all CPUs reinforces that it remains competitive for mainstream workloads, but not for extreme multi-threaded tasks.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core i7-4790K use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 1150.

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

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the maximum memory bandwidth?

A: The dual-channel DDR3 memory bus provides a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Is the processor multiplier unlocked?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking.

Q: What is the integrated graphics model?

A: It includes the Intel HD 4600 integrated GPU.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: The CPU provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 11738 places the i7-4790K at the 71st percentile of all CPUs. When compared to its nearest rivals, the performance differences are modest. The Intel Xeon Gold 6342 has an average score of 11574, making the i7-4790K 1.4% faster. Similarly, the Intel Core i7-4790 (non-K) scores 11499, with the i7-4790K ahead by 2.1%. On the other side, the AMD EPYC 7453 scores 11912, which is 1.5% higher than the i7-4790K, and the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X scores 11985, putting it 2.1% ahead. These deltas indicate that the i7-4790K sits in a tight cluster of processors with similar overall performance, despite being much older and having fewer cores than some of these rivals.

Looking at specific benchmark suites, the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6853 and single-core score of 967 reflect the expected scaling from 4 cores and 8 threads. The Passmark multi-thread score of 8062 and single-thread score of 2466 show a similar pattern. In the Geekbench tests, the multi-core score of 4401 and single-core score of 1403 further confirm that the processor's strength lies more in single-threaded tasks than in heavily parallel workloads. The Passmark sub-tests provide additional context: integer math scores 29163, floating point math 14597, and extended instructions 7579, all of which are moderate for a desktop CPU of this generation. Data compression and encryption scores of 121722 and 2264, respectively, indicate reasonable throughput in these specific tasks.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The i7-4790K exhibits a pronounced difference between its single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 6853 is approximately 7.1 times the single-core score of 967, which is close to the theoretical scaling limit for 8 threads on a 4-core processor. This suggests that the multi-threaded performance is well-optimized for the available cores, but the absolute numbers are limited by the low core count. In contrast, the Passmark results show a multi-thread score of 8062 against a single-thread score of 2466, a ratio of about 3.3. The Geekbench ratio is similar at 4401/1403 ≈ 3.1. The discrepancy between the Cinebench and other ratios likely stems from differences in workload scaling and instruction usage.

The single-thread scores are notably strong for a processor from 2014, thanks to the high boost clock of 4.40 GHz. This makes the i7-4790K well-suited for applications that are not heavily threaded, such as older games, spreadsheet calculations, and some single-threaded design tools. The multi-thread performance, while not class-leading, is sufficient for light rendering or encoding tasks, but users with heavier multi-threaded workloads would see better results from processors with more cores. Overall, the i7-4790K's behavior is typical of a high-clock, low-core-count design: excellent for single-threaded responsiveness, but constrained in parallel tasks.