The Intel Core i7-4770 features Intel's most recent (Haswell) architecture. As with each of the previous "Core i" generations Intel have managed to reduce power consumption and simultaneously increase processing throughput. The i7-4770 has a locked multiplier which makes overclocking it much harder than its unlocked i7-4770K sibling. Comparing the 4770 and 4770K shows that the 4770K yields 14% higher processing throughput when overclocked and also costs 14% more. The 4770K has 4 physical cores which allow it to process four streams of instructions in parallel. General desktop computing tasks such as checking email, watching videos and surfing the web rarely require more than two cores, so for the majority of users this processor is overpowered. If you plan to encode video or compile software then this is one of the fastest reasonably priced processors available. [Mar '14CPUPro]
This was the ultimate niche CPU. At the time of its release, it had an optimal combination of multi-core performance without sacrificing as much single- and quad- as the higher-core CPUs, at an excellent price-point. It utilizes quad-channel RAM. If you were a content creator without external funding, had one machine in the budget, then this chip might even now in mid-2019 be what you're looking for.
The higher-end Threadrippers will throw more cores at you... for up to five times the price. If you've a home studio, running a DAW on the same PC you use for everything; or you do your own video editing; or you're an independent streamer; then those extra 12 or 18 cores aren't really going to help you that much anyway, for all that extra cash - AND those CPUs have lower performance in more common applications (single- low-thread apps). Not worth it. Intel isn't even on the table, of course.
If you're reading this in the future: these benchmarks have multiple categories for a reason. Read and think. Find the best combination for what you intend to do with it - not some arbitrary "the best" overall. There is no such thing, because you won't be using your computer for Overall, now will you? [Aug '19spacefiddle]
We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]
Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.