Intel Core i7-4790K vs Core i7-3930K

#ad
Buy
VS

Combined performance score

i7-3930K
5.34
+1.7%

Core i7-3930K outperforms Core i7-4790K by 2% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking10711085
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Value for money1.851.96
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataCore i7 (Desktop)
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)Devil's Canyon
Release date14 November 2011 (12 years old)June 2014 (9 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)$611$339
Current price$210 (0.3x MSRP)$191 (0.6x MSRP)
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-4790K has 6% better value for money than i7-3930K.

Technical specs

Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores6 (Hexa-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads128
Base clock speed3.2 GHz4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz4.4 GHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die size435 mm2177 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °C74 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °C72 °C
Number of transistors2,270 million1,400 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1150
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt88 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSXno data-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPPno data-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
FDIno data+
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection++
OS Guardno data+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K are enumerated here.

AMD-Vno data+
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size64.23 GB32 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth51.2 GB/s25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support--

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 4600
Max video memoryno data2 GB
Quick Sync Videono data+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.25 GHz
Execution Unitsno data20
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3
eDPno data+
DisplayPortno data+
HDMIno data+
DVIno data+
VGAno data+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data3840x2160@24Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data3840x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data3840x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over VGAno data1920x1200@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data11.2/12
OpenGLno data4.3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes4016

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-3930K 5.34
+1.7%
i7-4790K 5.25

Core i7-3930K outperforms Core i7-4790K by 2% in our combined benchmark results.


Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i7-3930K 8205
+1.7%
i7-4790K 8070

Core i7-3930K outperforms Core i7-4790K by 2% in Passmark.

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-3930K 607
i7-4790K 1387
+129%

Core i7-4790K outperforms Core i7-3930K by 129% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i7-3930K 2962
i7-4790K 4391
+48.2%

Core i7-4790K outperforms Core i7-3930K by 48% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

Benchmark coverage: 4%

i7-3930K 12240
+14.4%
i7-4790K 10700

Core i7-3930K outperforms Core i7-4790K by 14% in 3DMark Fire Strike Physics.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 5.34 5.25
Recency 14 November 2011 on June 2014
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 8
Cost $611 $339
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 88 Watt

We couldn't decide between Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K. The differences in performance seem too small.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3930K and Core i7-4790K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-3930K
Core i7-3930K
Intel Core i7-4790K
Core i7-4790K

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

User ratings: view and submit

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.4 224 votes

Rate Intel Core i7-3930K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.3 2149 votes

Rate Intel Core i7-4790K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions and comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-3930K or Core i7-4790K, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.