Core i7-4790K vs Core i7-8569U

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 i7-8569U 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 i7-8569U: 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

✅Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, while Core i7-8569U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,063 vs 8,135).
❌Launch MSRP is still $350 MSRP, while Core i7-8569U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌214.3% higher power demand at 88W vs 28W.

Core i7-8569U

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 28W instead of 88W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4790K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8569U better than Core i7-4790K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4790K is ahead with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8569U pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-8569U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-8569U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8569U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. Core i7-4790K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (23.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8569U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4790K vs Core i7-8569U 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 i7-8569U

The Core i7-8569U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2019 (6 years ago). It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 8,135 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790K and Core i7-8569U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-4790K versus 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-8569U — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-8569U (base: 4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-4790K is built on the Devil's Canyon architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-4790K scores 8,063 against the Core i7-8569U's 8,135 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-8569U. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790K vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i7-8569U.

Feature	Core i7-4790K	Core i7-8569U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.7 GHz+7%
Base Clock	4 GHz+43%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Devil's Canyon	—
PassMark	8,063	8,135

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790K uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8569U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.