Core i7-4790S vs Ryzen 3 1300X

Core i7-4790S vs Ryzen 3 1300X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-4790S

4 / 8

6,973

+0.7%

6,923

0.0%

Athlon 300U

Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

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 i7-4790S vs Ryzen 3 1300X 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 Ryzen 3 1300X: 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: +18.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.3 vs 53.7 PassMark/$ ($312 MSRP vs $129 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 3 1300X.

Ryzen 3 1300X

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $183 less on MSRP ($129 MSRP vs $312 MSRP).
✅Delivers 140.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.7 vs 22.3 PassMark/$ ($129 MSRP vs $312 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-4790S.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,923 vs 6,973).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4790S better than Ryzen 3 1300X?

Yes. Core i7-4790S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4790S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 18.8% 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 i7-4790S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4790S is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4790S comes in 141.9% more expensive on MSRP at $312 MSRP versus $129 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 3 1300X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 6,923 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

Ryzen 3 1300X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4790S vs Ryzen 3 1300X 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.

Ryzen 3 1300X

The Ryzen 3 1300X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 6,923 points. Launch price was $129.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-4790S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 3 1300X's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790S versus 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 3 1300X — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-4790S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 3 1300X uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790S scores 6,973 against the Ryzen 3 1300X's 6,923 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-4790S. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Ryzen 3 1300X
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	4 GHz+8%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	6,973	6,923
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,486
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,120
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,155

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 1300X uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Ryzen 3 1300X
Socket	LGA1150	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4790S) / AMD-V (Ryzen 3 1300X). Primary use case: Ryzen 3 1300X targets Gaming.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Ryzen 3 1300X
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4790S was priced at $312, while the Ryzen 3 1300X came in at $129. On launch pricing ($312 vs $129), Ryzen 3 1300X was $183 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790S delivers 22.3 pts/$ vs 53.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 3 1300X — making the Ryzen 3 1300X the 82.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4790S	Ryzen 3 1300X
MSRP	$312	$129-59%
Performance per Dollar	22.3	53.7+141%
Release Date	2014	2017

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