Intel Core i7 4790K 4-core LGA1150
The unlocked multiplier and 4.4GHz Turbo Boost on its 4-core, 8-thread Haswell architecture deliver strong single-threaded performance for its era. Its 8MB L3 cache and mature LGA 1150 platform provide a cost-effective entry point for overclocking on a budget. This processor is best for users upgrading older DDR3-based systems for light productivity and legacy gaming.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong social proof (91st percentile) 91st
- Strong feature (89th percentile) 89th
- Strong single thread (69th percentile) 69th
Cons
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q1 202696/100
Buyers in this period overwhelmingly praised the i7-4790K for its speed, easy overclocking, and low temperatures. Many upgraded from older CPUs and noted significant performance gains. A few mentioned it's pricey for older tech.
- Exceptional performance, often beating newer CPUs; upgrades from older AMD/Intel chips yielded major gains in gaming and productivity.
- Excellent overclocking headroom, with many achieving 4.7-4.8 GHz stable, often with low voltages and good cooling.
- Runs cool, especially with aftermarket coolers; improved thermal interface material noted versus older Haswell chips.
- Some consider it expensive for older technology, but still competitive; a few noted it's a good alternative to newer platforms.
- Q3 201484/100
Buyers praised the i7-4790K's speed, cool temps, and easy overclocking, but noted overclocking headroom is often limited to 4.8 GHz and that it's not a big upgrade from a 4770K.
- Excellent performance, faster than previous CPUs, smooth gaming, and quick program loads.
- Cooler running than prior Haswell chips, with low temps even when overclocked.
- Easy overclocking via multiplier on Z97, with automatic voltage adjustment.
- Overclocking often limited to 4.8 GHz despite Intel's 5 GHz claims; not worth upgrading from 4770K.
Based on 11 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| Brand | Intel |
| Series | Core i7 |
| Model | 4790K |
| Codename | Devil's Canyon |
| Class | desktop |
| Process | 22 |
Cores & Clocks
| Cores | 4 |
| P-cores | 4 |
| Threads | 8 |
| Base Clock | 4000 |
| Boost Clock | 4400 |
Cache
| L2 Cache | 1 |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB |
Performance
| PassMark Multi | 8064 |
| PassMark Single | 2465 |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR3 |
| Max Speed | 1600 |
| Channels | 2 |
| Max Memory | 32 |
| ECC | No |
Platform & Power
| Socket | LGA 1150 |
| PCIe | 3 |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 |
| TDP | 88 |
| Unlocked | Yes |
Graphics & AI
| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 4600 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Intel Core i7 4790K | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Dell Xeon E5-2637 V2 | be quiet! Ryzen 3 Dark Rock Pro 5 | DAKboard CPU v4 | Thermal Grizzly Ryzen 7 CSF-AM5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cores | 4 | 6 | 32 | 4 | 4 | - |
| Threads | 8 | 12 | 64 | 4 | - | - |
| Boost Clock Mhz | 4400 | 5400 | 3500 | 3400 | - | - |
| L3 Cache Mb | 8 | 32 | 256 | 8 | - | - |
| Tdp W | 88 | 65 | 200 | 270 | - | - |
| Socket | LGA 1150 | AM5 | Socket A/Socket 462 (PGA 462) | AM4 | BGA | AM5 |
| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 4600 | AMD Radeon Graphics | No | - | - | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AI | Feature | Platform | User Sentiment | Efficiency | Multi Thread | Social Proof | Single Thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7 4790K | 57.1 | 88.9 | 57.5 | 37.9 | 53.9 | 57.7 | 90.7 | 69.1 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 9600X Compare | 84.8 | 93.3 | 95.1 | 79 | 94.7 | 86 | 96.5 | 96.7 |
| Dell Xeon E5-2637 V2 Compare | 99.1 | 90.7 | 76.2 | 0 | 97.3 | 99.2 | 1.5 | 89.3 |
| be quiet! Ryzen 3 Dark Rock Pro 5 Compare | 47.6 | 62.2 | 60.5 | 0 | 32.5 | 44.1 | 90.7 | 50.2 |
| DAKboard CPU v4 Compare | 12.6 | 20.1 | 17.5 | 0 | 11.9 | 17 | 59.7 | 20 |
| Thermal Grizzly Ryzen 7 CSF-AM5 Compare | 3.3 | 20.1 | 17.5 | 0 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 96.5 | 3.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Newegg 2 offers From $69
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
