Intel Core i7-4790 vs Intel Core i7-8700K

Intel Core i7-4790 and Intel Core i7-8700K Compared Introduction: The Intel Core i7-4790 (Haswell S), introduced in 2014, was designed for the mainstream desktop market.

The Intel Core i7-8700K (Coffee Lake S), released in 2017, targeted high-end gamers and enthusiasts. Manufacturing Process and Cores/Threads: The Intel Core i7-4790 is manufactured using a 22 nm process and has 4 cores / 8 threads. It has 8 MB of Level 3 Cache and Intel HD Graphics 4600.

The maximum memory bandwidth is 26 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-8700K uses a 14 nm process, offers 6 cores / 12 threads, 12 MB of Level 3 Cache, and Intel UHD Graphics 630. Its maximum memory bandwidth is 43 GB/s. Both support PCIe 3.0. Performance and Gaming: The Intel Core i7-8700K significantly outperforms the Intel Core i7-4790 in single-core benchmarks, with over 20 percent better performance.

In multi-core applications, the Intel Core i7-8700K's performance is considerably higher, in some cases almost twice as good, thanks to its higher core/thread count and newer architecture. For gaming, the Intel Core i7-8700K is clearly better suited due to its superior IPC and higher clock speeds, especially with modern titles.

Power Consumption and Price-Performance Ratio: The Thermal Design Power (TDP) of the Intel Core i7-4790 is 84W, while the Intel Core i7-8700K consumes slightly more power at 95W. Today, the Intel Core i7-4790 is a very cost-effective option for simple tasks or as an upgrade for older systems.

The Intel Core i7-8700K still offers good performance on the used market for more demanding applications and gaming at an attractive price. Summary and Recommendation: The Intel Core i7-4790 is suitable for budget systems and basic use. The Intel Core i7-8700K is the better choice for gaming and demanding multitasking, thanks to its significantly higher computing power.