Core i7-4790K vs Core i7-6700
Core i7-4790K
Core i7-6700
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-4790K is positioned at rank 726 and the Core i7-6700 is on rank 650, so the Core i7-6700 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4790K
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6700
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-4790K | Core i7-6700 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($93) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($143) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Devil's Canyon / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-4790K | Core i7-6700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+54%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($93) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($143) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4790K and Core i7-6700
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 i7-6700
The Core i7-6700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,048 points. Launch price was $303.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-4790K and Core i7-6700 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-4790K versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-6700 — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-4790K uses the Devil's Canyon architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6700 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790K scores 8,063 against the Core i7-6700's 8,048 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-4790K. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-4790K | Core i7-6700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+10% | 4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz+18% | 3.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Devil's Canyon | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 8,063 | 8,048 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-4790K uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6700 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-4790K | Core i7-6700 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
The Core i7-4790K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-6700 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i7-4790K | Core i7-6700 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4600 | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-4790K launched at $350 MSRP, while the Core i7-6700 debuted at $303. At current prices ($93 vs $143), the Core i7-4790K is $50 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790K delivers 86.7 pts/$ vs 56.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-6700 — making the Core i7-4790K the 42.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-4790K | Core i7-6700 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $350 | $303-13% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $93-35% | $143 |
| Performance per Dollar | 86.7+54% | 56.3 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2015 |
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