Ryzen 5 8540U vs i7-4790K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-4790K
2014
4 cores / 8 threads, 88 Watt
5.18
Ryzen 5 8540U
2023
6 cores / 12 threads, 28 Watt
11.89
+130%

Ryzen 5 8540U outperforms Core i7-4790K by a whopping 130% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1208662
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.87no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency5.4739.44
Architecture codenameDevil's CanyonHawk Point-U (Zen 4 + Zen 4c) (2023)
Release dateJune 2014 (10 years ago)6 December 2023 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$339no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads812
Base clock speed4 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed4.4 GHz4.9 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)16 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm4 nm
Die size177 mm2137 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,400 million20,900 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U 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
SocketFCLGA1150FP7
Power consumption (TDP)88 Watt28 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2AES, AVX, AVX2, AVX512, FMA3, MMX (+), SHA, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A, SSSE3
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
FDI+no data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Security technologies

Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
Secure Key+no data
Identity Protection+-
OS Guard+no data
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U are enumerated here.

AMD-V++
VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5
Maximum memory size32 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 4600AMD Radeon 740M
Max video memory2 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.25 GHzno data
Execution Units20no data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data
VGA+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.43840x2160@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over VGA1920x1200@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX11.2/12no data
OpenGL4.3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U.

PCIe version3.04.0
PCI Express lanes1614

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.

i7-4790K 5.18
Ryzen 5 8540U 11.89
+130%

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.

i7-4790K 8067
Ryzen 5 8540U 18534
+130%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.18 11.89
Integrated graphics card 1.84 8.32
Recency on June 2014 6 December 2023
Physical cores 4 6
Threads 8 12
Chip lithography 22 nm 4 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 88 Watt 28 Watt

Ryzen 5 8540U has a 129.5% higher aggregate performance score, 352.2% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 9 years, 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads, a 450% more advanced lithography process, and 214.3% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen 5 8540U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-4790K in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-4790K is a desktop processor while Ryzen 5 8540U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 8540U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i7-4790K
Core i7-4790K
AMD Ryzen 5 8540U
Ryzen 5 8540U

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Community ratings

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