Core i7-4790S vs Core i7-6700T

Intel

Core i7-4790S

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-6700T

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2015
Similar parts
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Core i7-4790S vs Core i7-6700T Performance Spectrum

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 i7-4790S vs Core i7-6700T 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 i7-4790S vs Core i7-6700T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4790S

2014

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +10.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (6,973 vs 6,994).
  • 3% HIGHER MSRP
    $312 MSRPvs$303 MSRP
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i7-6700T

2015

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $9 less on MSRP ($303 MSRP vs $312 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6700T better than Core i7-4790S?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4790S is ahead with a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6700T pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6700T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-6700T is the better buy right now. Core i7-6700T comes in $9 cheaper on MSRP at $303 MSRP versus $312 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4790S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 3.3% better value on MSRP (23.1 vs 22.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-6700T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 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 i7-4790S vs Core i7-6700T Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-4790S

The Core i7-4790S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,973 points. Launch price was $303.

Intel

Core i7-6700T

The Core i7-6700T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,994 points. Launch price was $303.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790S and Core i7-6700T share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790S versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-6700T — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-4790S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6700T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790S scores 6,973 against the Core i7-6700T's 6,994 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-6700T. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i7-4790SCore i7-6700T
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4 GHz+11%
3.6 GHz
Base Clock
3.2 GHz+14%
2.8 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
Haswell (2013−2015)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
6,973
6,994
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6700T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-4790SCore i7-6700T
Socket
LGA1150
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4790S was priced at $312, while the Core i7-6700T came in at $303. On launch pricing ($312 vs $303), Core i7-6700T was $9 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790S delivers 22.3 pts/$ vs 23.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-6700T — making the Core i7-6700T the 3.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-4790SCore i7-6700T
MSRP
$312
$303-3%
Performance per Dollar
22.3
23.1+4%
Release Date
2014
2015

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