Core i7-4790K vs Core i7-10810U

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i7-4790K vs Core i7-10810U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-4790K vs Core i7-10810U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-4790K

2014

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, while Core i7-10810U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-10810U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $350 MSRP, while Core i7-10810U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌252% higher power demand at 88W vs 25W.

Core i7-10810U

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 88W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,987 vs 8,063).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4790K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-10810U better than Core i7-4790K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-10810U is ahead with a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4790K pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i7-10810U also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4790K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-10810U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-10810U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-4790K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (23.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-10810U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2014) and 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4790K vs Core i7-10810U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-4790K

The Core i7-4790K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Devil's Canyon architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 88 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,063 points. Launch price was $339.

Core i7-10810U

The Core i7-10810U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,987 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4790K packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-10810U offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-10810U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-4790K versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-10810U — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-10810U (base: 4 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-4790K uses the Devil's Canyon architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-10810U uses Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790K scores 8,063 against the Core i7-10810U's 7,987 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-4790K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790K vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-10810U.

Feature	Core i7-4790K	Core i7-10810U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	4 GHz+264%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Devil's Canyon	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)
PassMark	8,063	7,987

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790K uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-10810U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.