Core i7-4790S vs Ryzen 7 5700X

Intel

Core i7-4790S

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022

Core i7-4790S vs Ryzen 7 5700X 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 Ryzen 7 5700X 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 7 5700X: 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

    Trade-offs

    • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • Lower PassMark (6,973 vs 26,609).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 22.3 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($312 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

    Ryzen 7 5700X

    2022

    Why buy it

    • Better for gaming: +84.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • +300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
    • Costs $13 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $312 MSRP).
    • Delivers 298.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 22.3 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $312 MSRP).
    • 100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Core i7-4790S?
    Yes. Ryzen 7 5700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 84.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 281.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 5700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 84.4% 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, Ryzen 7 5700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 281.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Ryzen 7 5700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5700X comes in $13 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $312 MSRP, and it still gives you a 84.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 298.2% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 22.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Ryzen 7 5700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2014), 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 Ryzen 7 5700X 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.

    AMD

    Ryzen 7 5700X

    The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

    Processing Power

    The Core i7-4790S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 5700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4790S versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — a 14% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-4790S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790S scores 6,973 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 116.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4790S vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.

    FeatureCore i7-4790SRyzen 7 5700X
    Cores / Threads
    4 / 8
    8 / 16+100%
    Boost Clock
    4 GHz
    4.6 GHz+15%
    Base Clock
    3.2 GHz
    3.4 GHz+6%
    L3 Cache
    8 MB (total)
    32 MB (total)+300%
    L2 Cache
    256K (per core)
    512K (per core)+100%
    Process
    22 nm
    7 nm-68%
    Architecture
    Haswell (2013−2015)
    Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
    PassMark
    6,973
    26,609+282%
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    14,000
    Geekbench 6 Single
    2,116
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    9,715
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i7-4790S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i7-4790SRyzen 7 5700X
    Socket
    LGA1150
    AM4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0
    PCIe 4.0+33%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-3200
    Max RAM Capacity
    128 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    24
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4790S) / AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700X). Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

    FeatureCore i7-4790SRyzen 7 5700X
    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 7 5700X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($312 vs $299), Ryzen 7 5700X was $13 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4790S delivers 22.3 pts/$ vs 89.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5700X — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 119.7% better value option.

    FeatureCore i7-4790SRyzen 7 5700X
    MSRP
    $312
    $299-4%
    Performance per Dollar
    22.3
    89.0+299%
    Release Date
    2014
    2022

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