IntelBX80646I74790
IntelBX80619I73930K

4 Cores, 8 Threads @3.6GHz, Haswell.
Release date: Q2 2014.

6 Cores, 12 Threads @3.2GHz, Sandy Bridge-E.
Release date: Q4 2011.

Real World Speed
Performance profile from 288,199 user samples
255,027 User Benchmarks
Best Bench: 80% Base clock 3.6 GHz, turbo 4 GHz (avg)
Worst Bench: 58% Base clock 3.6 GHz, turbo 1.5 GHz (avg)
Poor: 58% Great: 80%
SPEED RANK: 371st / 1441
Gaming
Gaming 71%
Battleship
Desktop
Desktop 75%
Battleship
Workstation
Workstation 58%
Gunboat
33,172 User Benchmarks
Best Bench: 85% Base clock 3.2 GHz
Worst Bench: 63% Base clock 3.8 GHz, turbo 4.15 GHz (avg)
Poor: 63% Great: 85%
SPEED RANK: 314th / 1441
Gaming
Gaming 74%
Battleship
Desktop
Desktop 76%
Battleship
Workstation
Workstation 64%
Destroyer
Effective Speed
Effective CPU Speed
71.4 % 74.4 % +4%
Memory
Avg. Memory Latency
82.6 Pts 85.2 Pts +3%
1-Core
Avg. Single Core Speed
98.4 Pts Slightly faster single-core speed.
+7%
91.6 Pts
2-Core
Avg. Dual Core Speed
187 Pts +3% 182 Pts
4-Core
Avg. Quad Core Speed
327 Pts 344 Pts Slightly faster quad-core speed.
+5%
8-Core
Avg. Octa Core Speed
482 Pts 548 Pts Faster octa-core speed.
+14%
Memory
OC Memory Latency
93.6 Pts 94.7 Pts +1%
1-Core
OC Single Core Speed
109 Pts 112 Pts +3%
2-Core
OC Dual Core Speed
214 Pts 223 Pts +4%
4-Core
OC Quad Core Speed
377 Pts 432 Pts Faster OC quad-core speed.
+15%
8-Core
OC Octa Core Speed
551 Pts 684 Pts Faster OC octa-core speed.
+24%
Market Share
Based on 67,818,635 CPUs tested
Market Share
Market Share (trailing 30 days)
0.66 % Insanely higher market share.
+1,550%
0.04 %
Value
Value For Money
87.1 % Better value.
+17%
74.2 %
User Rating
UBM User Rating
62 % 63 % +2%
Price
Price (score)
$135 Much cheaper.
+52%
$280
Age
Newest
120 Months More recent.
+20%
150 Months
TDP
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
84 Watts Much more energy efficient.
+35%
130 Watts
Cores
CPU Processing Cores
4 cores 6 cores Much higher core count.
+50%
Threads
CPU Processing Threads
8 threads 12 threads Much higher thread count.
+50%
Lithography
Manufacturing process
22 nm Much newer manufacturing.
+31%
32 nm
Base Clock
Base Clock Speed
3.6 GHz Faster base frequency.
+12%
3.2 GHz
Turbo Clock
Turbo Clock Speed
4 GHz Slightly faster turbo frequency.
+5%
3.8 GHz
64-Core
OC Multi Core Speed
556 Pts 841 Pts Much faster OC 64-core speed.
+51%
64-Core
Avg. Multi Core Speed
495 Pts 681 Pts Much faster 64-core speed.
+38%
Series
CPU Architecture
Haswell Sandy Bridge-E
Socket
Motherboard Socket
FCLGA1150 FCLGA2011
Graphics
Integrated Graphics
HD 4600 None
Launch Date
Launch Date
Q2'14 Q4'11
Cache
Cache
8 MB SmartCache 12 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set Extensions
Instruction Set Extensions
SSE4.1/4.2, AVX 2.0 SSE4.2, AVX, AES
Lithography
Lithography
22 nm 32 nm
Recommended Price
Recommended Customer Price
$303.00 - $312.00 N/A
Max Turbo Frequency
Max Turbo Frequency
4 GHz 3.8 GHz
Max Memory Size
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)
32 GB 64 GB
Memory Types
Memory Types
DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.5V DDR3 1066/1333/1600
Memory Channels
Max # of Memory Channels
2 4
Memory Bandwidth
Max Memory Bandwidth
25.6 GB/s 51.2 GB/s
Package Size
Package Size
37.5mm x 37.5mm 52.5mm x 45.0mm
vPro Tech
Intel® vPro™ Technology ‡
Yes No
Trusted Execution Tech
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology ‡
Yes No
PCI Express Revision
PCI Express Revision
Up to 3.0 2.0
Max # of PCI Express Lanes
Max # of PCI Express Lanes
16 40

More specs » More specs »
ADVERTISEMENT

The Core i7-4790 is the third upgrade to Intel's flagship quad core hyper-threaded CPU. This version, like its predecessor the i7-4771, gets a 100 MHz bump in stock frequency and additionally the i7-4790 also gets a 100 MHz turbo frequency bump. These improvements (~4%) are marginal and practically impossible to discern in day to day use. Looking at a benchmark comparison between the 4771 and 4790 verifies that there is little difference between the two CPUs. Although the i7-4790 isn't much of a step forward, it's still one of the best (locked) mainstream processors on the market. AMD hasn't been able to compete with Intel on single threaded performance for several years, consequently Intel have no need to push the envelope. Overclockers should wait for the 4790K which is rumoured to be released shortly. [May '14 CPUPro]

MORE DETAILS

The 3930K has an outstanding multi-core performance profile, almost as good as you can buy at any budget, which considering its relatively reasonable price tag really make it stand out from the crowd. The reason for the extraordinary multi-core benchmark scores is down to the 3930K's six cores. Having six cores effectively results in a 50% lead over quad core cpus and a 200% percent lead over dual core cpu's. Typical desktop users rarely use more than two cores simultaneously thus rendering the additional four cores largely redundant for consumer use. In terms of regular use this CPU will offer virtually no better real world performance than the leaders in my Desktop CPU Group Test. For server orientated workloads the 3930K offers both outstanding performance and superb value for money. [Jun '13 CPUPro]

MORE DETAILS

Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) May 2024 CPU Rankings

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]

ADVERTISEMENT

Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.
How Fast Is Your CPU? (Bench your build) Size up your PC in less than a minute

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.

UserBenchmark of the month

How it works

  • - Download and run UserBenchmark
  • - CPU tests include: integer, floating and string
  • - GPU tests include: six 3D game simulations
  • - Drive tests include: read, write, sustained write and mixed IO
  • - RAM tests include: single/multi core bandwidth and latency
  • - SkillBench (space shooter) tests user input accuracy
  • - Reports are generated and presented on userbenchmark.com
  • - Identify the strongest components in your PC
  • - See speed test results from other users
  • - Compare your components to the current market leaders
  • - Explore your best upgrade options with a virtual PC build
  • - Compare your in-game FPS to other users with your hardware

 Frequently Asked Questions

 Best User Rated

The Best.
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $254Nvidia RTX 4060 $300Crucial MX500 250GB $39
Intel Core i5-12400F $133Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $163Nvidia RTX 4070 $539Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52
HDDRAMUSB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB (2016) $39Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GB $40SanDisk Extreme 64GB $72
WD Blue 1TB (2012) $31Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 2x8GB $37SanDisk Extreme 32GB $28
Seagate Barracuda 2TB (2016) $51G.SKILL Trident Z DDR4 3200 C14 4x16GB $351SanDisk Ultra Fit 32GB $16
If you make a purchase via one of these links, our site may earn a commission
Today's hottest deals
About  •  User Guide  •  FAQs  •  Email  •  Privacy  •  Developer  •  YouTube Feedback