Core i7-4790K vs Ryzen 5 2600H

Core i7-4790K vs Ryzen 5 2600H Performance Spectrum

Core i7-4790K

4 / 8

8,063

+0.8%

8,002

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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.

Core i7-4790K vs Ryzen 5 2600H 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 Ryzen 5 2600H: 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: +21.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4600, while Ryzen 5 2600H needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $350 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 2600H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌95.6% higher power demand at 88W vs 45W.

Ryzen 5 2600H

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 88W, a 43W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,002 vs 8,063).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4790K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4790K better than Ryzen 5 2600H?

Yes. Core i7-4790K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 21.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4790K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i7-4790K is the better buy right now. Core i7-4790K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $350 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 2600H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4790K vs Ryzen 5 2600H 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.

Ryzen 5 2600H

The Ryzen 5 2600H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 10 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 8,002 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790K and Ryzen 5 2600H share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-4790K versus 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600H — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790K (base: 4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-4790K uses the Devil's Canyon architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2600H uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790K scores 8,063 against the Ryzen 5 2600H's 8,002 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-4790K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790K vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2600H.

Feature	Core i7-4790K	Ryzen 5 2600H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+22%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+25%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Devil's Canyon	Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark	8,063	8,002

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790K uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2600H uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.