Intel Core i7-4790T

The Intel Core i7-4790T is a 45-watt, four-core, eight-thread desktop processor from Intel’s Haswell generation, built on a 22 nm process. It operates at a base clock of 2.70 GHz and boosts to 3.90 GHz, with 8 MB of shared L3 cache and support for DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. Its benchmark average of 1748 places it at the 43rd percentile among all CPUs, meaning it outperforms a minority of the database, a reflection of its age and low-power positioning rather than any fundamental weakness in everyday tasks.

How It Compares

Against the Intel Core i5-8269U, the i7-4790T is effectively a dead heat. Both processors post an identical average benchmark score of 1748, with a delta of 0%. This is notable because the i5-8269U is a much newer, mobile-oriented chip, yet the i7-4790T matches it in aggregate performance. The i7-4790T does so with four cores and eight threads, while the i5-8269U typically operates in a lower sustained power envelope, but the benchmark data shows no practical performance gap between them.

The Intel Core 3 N350 is a hair ahead, with an average score of 1749 versus 1748, a delta of -0.1% for the i7-4790T. This difference is within run-to-run noise and carries no real-world meaning. The N350 is a modern low-power part, but the i7-4790T’s higher single-thread boost clock and mature architecture keep it competitive in mixed workloads. For a user considering either, the scores suggest equivalent throughput in most applications.

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE also edges out the i7-4790T by the same margin: an average score of 1750 versus 1748, a delta of -0.1%. Again, this is negligible. The Ryzen part has a similar TDP class and core count, so the near-identical scores make sense. The i7-4790T’s advantage in single-thread performance (as seen in its Cinebench scores) is offset by the Ryzen’s newer architecture in multi-threaded tasks, producing parity overall.

The AMD Ryzen 5 3580U sits slightly behind, with an average score of 1745 versus 1748, giving the i7-4790T a 0.2% lead. This is the only rival where the i7-4790T comes out ahead, though the margin is trivial. The 3580U is a mobile processor with a similar core/thread count, and the data indicates that the i7-4790T holds its own despite being older and having a higher TDP. For a desktop part facing mobile chips, this is a respectable showing.

Who Should Consider It

The i7-4790T is a sensible choice for users building or upgrading a low-power desktop system where silence and modest heat output matter more than raw speed. Its 45-watt TDP makes it suitable for compact cases with limited cooling, and its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics remove the need for a discrete GPU in basic office or media workloads. For spreadsheet work, web browsing, and document editing, the single-core score of 754 in Cinebench R23 is more than adequate, and the multi-core score of 5346 ensures smooth multitasking.

Content creators working with light-to-moderate loads, such as photo editing or 1080p video transcoding, will find the eight threads useful. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 2245 indicates that the processor can handle short render bursts without stalling, though sustained heavy rendering will be limited by the low TDP. Gamers should note that the i7-4790T is not a gaming CPU by modern standards; its integrated graphics are only suitable for esports titles at low settings, and pairing it with a discrete GPU would be necessary for any demanding game, though the CPU’s performance would then become the bottleneck.

This processor is also a candidate for retro or budget-oriented builds where the user already owns DDR3 memory and an LGA 1150 motherboard. The 43rd percentile ranking means it sits below half of all CPUs in the database, so expectations should be set for a part that handles everyday tasks capably but will not excel in heavily threaded professional workloads. It is best for those who prioritize low power draw and adequate performance over peak throughput.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data reveals a consistent pattern: the i7-4790T is a balanced performer with a slight tilt toward multi-threaded efficiency. In Cinebench R23, it scores 5346 in multi-core and 754 in single-core. The multi-core result is about 7 times the single-core score, which is expected for a four-core, eight-thread part, hyper-threading adds roughly 30-40% over a similar quad-core without it, though no such rival is listed here for direct comparison.

In Cinebench R20, the scores are 2245 multi-core and 316 single-core. The ratio between these is similar to R23, confirming that the processor’s scaling with thread count is stable across different benchmark versions. The R15 scores of 538 multi-core and 75 single-core follow the same trend, with the multi-core result being roughly 7.2 times the single-core figure.

Geekbench results show 3520 multi-core and 1193 single-core. The multi-core-to-single-core ratio here is about 2.95, which is lower than in Cinebench because Geekbench’s workload mix differs. This suggests that the i7-4790T performs relatively better in Cinebench’s rendering tasks than in Geekbench’s varied tests, likely due to the former’s heavy use of floating-point operations where Haswell is competent.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the i7-4790T’s average score of 1748 is within 0.2% of all four competitors. The worst-case delta is -0.1% against the Core 3 N350 and Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE, and the best-case is +0.2% against the Ryzen 5 3580U. This means the i7-4790T is statistically tied with each of them, no rival offers a meaningful performance advantage. The identical score to the i5-8269U is particularly telling, as it indicates that the older Intel architecture can match a newer one when both are constrained by similar power limits.

FAQ

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

A: The TDP is 45 watts, which is considered a low-power desktop processor class. This makes it suitable for small form factor builds or systems with modest cooling.

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

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The processor uses standard DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: What integrated graphics does the i7-4790T include?

A: It includes Intel HD 4600. This is capable of basic display output and light media playback, but not for gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked. The processor runs at a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, with no manual overclocking via multiplier adjustment.

Q: How does the i7-4790T compare to the Intel Core i5-8269U?

A: Their average benchmark scores are identical at 1748, with a delta of 0%. This means there is no measurable performance difference between the two in the database’s aggregate results.

Q: What socket does the i7-4790T use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 1150. This is compatible with 9-series and some 8-series motherboards, though older boards may require a BIOS update for full support.

Power and Thermals

The 45-watt TDP places the i7-4790T in a low-power class, well below typical desktop processors that often draw double that figure. This has direct implications for cooling: a stock or basic air cooler is sufficient to keep it within thermal limits, and even a compact low-profile cooler will handle it without issue. The 22 nm process node and 1,400 million transistors in a 177 mm² die contribute to its efficiency, though the architecture is older, so it does not reach the efficiency of modern 10 nm or smaller parts.

Given this TDP, the processor is a good fit for passive or semi-passive cooling setups in home theater PCs or quiet workstations. The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics also generate minimal additional heat, so the total system thermal load stays low. For users with existing LGA 1150 boards, upgrading to this part does not require a new cooler, as most stock coolers from that era are rated for 65-95 watt CPUs and will easily manage 45 watts.

The memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s is modest by current standards, but it is consistent with the DDR3 memory support and does not significantly impact the processor’s thermal profile. The PCIe Gen 3 interface with 16 lanes (CPU only) provides adequate bandwidth for a discrete GPU, though the CPU’s performance would limit high-end graphics cards in gaming scenarios. Overall, the power and thermal characteristics make this an easy part to cool and integrate into a low-power build.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The i7-4790T’s benchmark scores show a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread performance, with the latter being significantly stronger. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score of 754 is less than 15% of the multi-core score of 5346. This indicates that the processor’s eight threads provide a substantial advantage in parallel workloads, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation tasks.

However, the single-core score of 754 is low compared to modern processors, which often exceed 1500 in this test. This means that single-threaded applications, such as older games, some office software, and certain script-heavy web pages, will see performance that is below average. The 43rd percentile ranking overall is dragged down by this single-thread weakness, while the multi-thread scores are competitive with the nearest rivals.

For real workloads, this behavior suggests a few practical guidelines. Multi-threaded productivity tasks will run acceptably, especially if they can use all eight threads. Single-threaded tasks will feel dated, and users should not expect snappy performance in applications that rely on one core. The boost clock of 3.90 GHz helps mitigate this, but the Haswell architecture’s instructions per clock are lower than newer designs. The high threads-to-cores ratio (2:1) is the processor’s main strength, making it better suited for background tasks, media servers, or light rendering than for responsive single-threaded interaction.