Intel Core i7-4790K Buyer's Guide
Positioning and generation
The Intel Core i7-4790K is a 4th Gen desktop processor based on the Haswell Refresh architecture. On FrameScope's tier scale it sits in the older mainstream band. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, along with integrated graphics. By today's standards it is no longer a choice for a new build, but on the older LGA1150 platform it can still run most games.
In our catalogue this is a desktop part, so it suits a desktop computer. Its age means it is best viewed as something that can carry an existing system for a while rather than the basis of a fresh purchase.
If you are building a new gaming PC, spend your budget on a newer platform, where the value is usually better.
Key specs explained
The main point of this processor's specs is its 4 cores and 8 threads. The core count sets how much work can run at the same time. Four cores are still enough for most games, but games or background tasks that lean heavily on many cores will expose the limit. Eight threads means each core can handle two streams of work, which helps a little, though less than extra physical cores would.
The Haswell Refresh architecture belongs to the 4th Gen Intel Core family. Its single-core performance was strong when it launched, but newer generations do more work per clock, so newer games will push it harder.
The integrated graphics let the system output a picture without a separate graphics card, which suits office or media use. Its performance is limited, however, so most games still need a dedicated graphics card.
Suitable games and resolutions
Against official requirements, this processor has a result for 416 of the 439 catalogued games. It reaches the official recommended level in 146 of them and clearly exceeds the recommended level in 98. Another 98 games are met at the minimum level only, and 74 fall below the minimum. Most games will run, but the outcome depends heavily on how new and demanding each title is.
Games that meet the recommended level include Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition, Timberborn, Farthest Frontier and Hollow Knight: Silksong. Titles that only meet the minimum include Big Ambitions, Yet Another Zombie Survivors and Fields of Mistria. Those below the minimum include Palworld, Scrap Mechanic and Gothic 1 Remake.
For resolution, 1080p is the sensible target for a processor in this band. At higher resolutions the bottleneck usually shifts to the graphics card, so put your budget into the graphics card first.
Compared with similar hardware
In our tier ordering, the nearest processors above it are the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X, Intel Core i5-7400 and Intel Core i5-6600K. All three sit at or slightly above its position, with the i5-6600K just ahead. The nearest processors below are the Intel Core i7-4790, Intel Core i5-6500 and Intel Core i7-4770K.
Compared with the i7-4790 from the same family, the two are close in position and the difference is small. Against the i5-6500, it has an advantage in multitasking and some games because of its extra threads. Against the i7-4770K the positions are close, and the choice between them will mostly come down to the platform you already have and price.
Overall, its position is close to its peers. If you are comparing performance, use the neighbouring parts as reference points rather than treating them as upgrade routes.
Buying new or used
This processor uses the LGA1150 socket. Before buying, confirm that the motherboard has the same socket and that its chipset supports this processor.
This processor uses a land grid design: the pins are in the motherboard socket, so take care not to touch them when installing it.
Its multiplier is unlocked, so it can be overclocked on a motherboard that supports overclocking.
Our data does not say whether a cooler is included in the box, so check the package contents yourself and plan on a suitable cooling solution.
If you are buying used, check the processor for physical damage, ask for proof of purchase and confirm the warranty status. It is also wise to confirm the motherboard is compatible before you commit, so the part does not end up unusable.
Upgrade advice
An upgrade only makes sense if you are running this processor and hitting a clear performance limit. Before deciding, work out whether the bottleneck is the processor, the graphics card or the memory, because swapping only the processor may not improve games much.
From our upgrade list, the options worth considering are the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X, AMD Ryzen 3 3100 and AMD Ryzen 7 1800X. These sit clearly above this processor in our tier ordering and are of the same or a newer generation.
When upgrading, balance the processor with the graphics card and the memory. Upgrading the processor while ignoring the graphics card will give limited gains, and too little memory will hold back the experience even with a stronger processor.