Intel Core i7-4960X vs Intel Core i7-4790K

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-4960X or Intel Core i7-4960X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-4960X features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 12 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2013 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition series.
To use the Intel Core i7-4960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2011 socket.
The Intel Core i7-4790K features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2014 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-4790K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1150 socket.
Intel Core i 4000X Group Intel Core i 4000
4 Generation 4
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-4960X Name Intel Core i7-4790K
Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition Family Intel Core i7
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-4960X has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 12 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-4960X is 3.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.0 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i7-4790K has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-4790K is 4.0 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.4 GHz.
12 Threads 8
6x Cores 4x
6 CPU Cores 4
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.4 GHz
3.6 GHz Frequency 4.0 GHz
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 4.2 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-4960X does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i7-4790K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-4790K uses the Intel HD Graphics 4600, which has 160 texture shaders
and 20 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- Shaders 160
-- Release date Q2/2013
-- Technology 22 nm
-- Direct X 11.1
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units 20
-- GPU frequency 0.35 GHz
-- Generation 7.5
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.25 GHz
GPU name Intel HD Graphics 4600
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- VP8 No
-- VC-1 Decode
-- JPEG Decode
-- AV1 No
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
-- AVC Decode / Encode
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- VP9 No
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1866 Memory type
No ECC No
64.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
4 Memory channels 2
59.7 GB/s Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 130 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 88 W watts.
130 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 88 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-4960X is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 15.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-4790K is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
Q3/2013 Release date Q2/2014
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
22 nm Technology 22 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
960 $ Release price 310 $
Ivy Bridge E Architecture Devils Canyon S
15.0 MB L3-Cache 8.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 2011 Socket LGA 1150
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
20120
20120
Intel Core i7-4790K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
16686
16686

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
5189
5189
Intel Core i7-4790K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
4001
4001

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4790K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
4674
4674
Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
3062
3062

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-4790K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
4302
4302
Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
3460
3460

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
2868
2868
Intel Core i7-4790K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
2311
2311

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-4790K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
1387
1387
Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
757
757

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4960X
6C 12T @ 3.6 GHz
1092
1092
Intel Core i7-4790K
4C 8T @ 4.0 GHz
854
854