Intel Core i5-10600KF vs Intel Core i7-4790

The Intel Core i7-4790, based on the Haswell S architecture, was introduced some time ago and targeted the mainstream to enthusiast market of its time.

It is manufactured using a 22 nm process and features 4 cores and 8 threads. Its performance is sufficient for older applications and basic tasks, but it does not match the values of more recent processors. In gaming scenarios, it can still be acceptable for older titles, but it often bottlenecks modern games.

Power consumption is moderate with an 84W TDP. It offers an integrated graphics unit, the Intel HD Graphics 4600, and a maximum memory bandwidth of 26 GB/s. The processor uses PCIe 3.0 and has 8 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core i5-10600KF, based on the Comet Lake S architecture, was introduced later and targets gamers and users who need solid performance for productivity tasks.

It is manufactured using a 14 nm process and has 6 cores and 12 threads. Due to its architecture and higher core count, it offers significantly superior single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Intel Core i7-4790. This processor is very well suited for gaming, as it delivers high frame rates in modern games.

Its TDP is 125W, which requires stronger cooling. As it is a "KF" model, there is no integrated graphics unit. It offers a maximum memory bandwidth of 43 GB/s and also uses PCIe 3.0 with 12 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core i5-10600KF significantly surpasses the Intel Core i7-4790 in all tested single-core and multi-core benchmarks.

This performance increase is due to the more modern architecture, the higher core and thread count, and improved clock speeds. Accordingly, the Intel Core i5-10600KF also offers significantly better performance in gaming scenarios, as it more effectively handles the CPU requirements of modern games.

In terms of power consumption, the Intel Core i5-10600KF with its higher TDP of 125W is more demanding than the Intel Core i7-4790 with 84W, which requires a more robust cooling solution. Regarding price-performance ratio, the Intel Core i7-4790 can be found very cheaply on the used market and is suitable for very budget-friendly systems or as an upgrade for older platforms, while the Intel Core i5-10600KF offers significantly higher performance for modern applications and games at a comparatively moderate price.