Core i7-4790S vs Core i7-6820HK

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 i7-6820HK 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 i7-6820HK: 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: +11.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $66 less on MSRP ($312 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 20.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.3 vs 18.6 PassMark/$ ($312 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,973 vs 7,012).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i7-6820HK

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.6 vs 22.3 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $312 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6820HK better than Core i7-4790S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4790S is ahead with a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6820HK pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6820HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-6820HK is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-6820HK comes in 21.2% more expensive on MSRP at $378 MSRP versus $312 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-4790S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 20.5% better value on paper (22.3 vs 18.6 PassMark/$), 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 i7-6820HK 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 i7-6820HK Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-6820HK

The Core i7-6820HK 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,012 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4790S and Core i7-6820HK 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 i7-6820HK — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-4790S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6820HK uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790S scores 6,973 against the Core i7-6820HK's 7,012 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-6820HK. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790S vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6820HK.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Core i7-6820HK
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+11%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+19%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	6,973	7,012

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6820HK uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Core i7-6820HK
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1440
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 i7-6820HK came in at $378. On launch pricing ($312 vs $378), Core i7-4790S was $66 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790S delivers 22.3 pts/$ vs 18.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-6820HK — making the Core i7-4790S the 18.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Core i7-6820HK
MSRP	$312-17%	$378
Performance per Dollar	22.3+20%	18.6
Release Date	2014	2015

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