Intel Core i7-4770K vs Intel Core i7-4790

The Intel Core i7-4770K and the Intel Core i7-4790 are Intel desktop processors based on the "Haswell S" architecture, designed for demanding users and gamers.

The Intel Core i7-4770K, as an earlier representative, is known for its overclocking capability, identifiable by the "K" suffix. The Intel Core i7-4790 is a later revision that offers slightly higher clock frequencies out of the box and is designed for stability. Both CPUs are manufactured using a 22 nm process and feature 4 cores and 8 threads, supported by 8 MB of Level 3 Cache.

An integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 unit is present in both. They support PCIe 3.0 and offer a maximum memory bandwidth of 26 GB/s. In most use cases and benchmarks, both processors deliver very similar single-core and multi-core performance. However, there are specific scenarios, such as certain single-core tests, where the Intel Core i7-4770K may show slightly better performance.

In gaming scenarios, both offer comparable baseline performance. The Intel Core i7-4770K can gain an advantage through overclocking, while the Intel Core i7-4790 delivers high and stable performance out of the box. The typical thermal design power (TDP) for both is 84 watts, with overclocking increasing the power consumption of the Intel Core i7-4770K.

On the used market, both offer an attractive price-performance ratio, with the Intel Core i7-4770K potentially fetching a slightly higher price due to its overclockability. For enthusiasts who appreciate manual performance optimization, the Intel Core i7-4770K is the better choice. Users who value immediate, stable performance without manual intervention are well-advised to choose the Intel Core i7-4790.