i7-4790K vs i7-6800K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6800K
2016
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
6.76
+33.1%
Core i7-4790K
2014
4 cores / 8 threads, 88 Watt
5.08

Core i7-6800K outperforms Core i7-4790K by a substantial 33% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6800K and Core i7-4790K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking10341221
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.690.97
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataCore i7 (Desktop)
Power efficiency4.575.46
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Devil's Canyon
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)June 2014 (10 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$345$339

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-6800K has 74% better value for money than i7-4790K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6800K 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 speed3.4 GHz4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz4.4 GHz
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
L1 cache32 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm22 nm
Die sizeno data177 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C72 °C
Number of transistorsno data1,400 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6800K 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)140 Watt88 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6800K and Core i7-4790K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® 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++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Smart Response+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
FDIno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-6800K 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 i7-6800K and Core i7-4790K are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6800K and Core i7-4790K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB32 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidthno data25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

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

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-6800K and Core i7-4790K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
DVIno data+
VGAno data+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-6800K 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 i7-6800K 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 i7-6800K and Core i7-4790K.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes2816

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.

i7-6800K 6.76
+33.1%
i7-4790K 5.08

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.

i7-6800K 10740
+33.1%
i7-4790K 8069

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.

i7-6800K 1236
i7-4790K 1407
+13.8%

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.

i7-6800K 5669
+28.8%
i7-4790K 4400

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-6800K 14300
+33.6%
i7-4790K 10700

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.76 5.08
Recency 31 May 2016 on June 2014
Physical cores 6 4
Threads 12 8
Chip lithography 14 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 88 Watt

i7-6800K has a 33.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads, and a 57.1% more advanced lithography process.

i7-4790K, on the other hand, has 59.1% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-6800K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-4790K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6800K and Core i7-4790K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Community ratings

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