Intel Core i7-4790K vs AMD Ryzen 9 3900

VS
Performance
Core i7-4790K
10,88629% of 36,991
Ryzen 9 390054% better
16,80345% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 3900 has 54% better performance than the Core i7-4790K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-4790K
31.126% of 121.53
Ryzen 9 39008% better
33.6728% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 3900 has 8% better value for the money than the Core i7-4790K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the Intel Core i7-4790K CPU

The Intel Core i7-4790K is an end-of-life 4-core (8-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q2 2014 with a suggested retail price of $350. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Haswell microarchitecture. The i7-4790K is compatible with Intel Socket 1150 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 22 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-4790K supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-4790K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 8 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-4790K features 4 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 4.0 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.4 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-4790K includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 4600. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-4790K has the 226th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 29.43% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 10,886 score and $350 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 31.1. This is the 115th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 CPU

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 is a 12-core (24-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q3 2019 with a suggested retail price of $499. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 9 lineup, which is based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture. The 3900 is compatible with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 9 3900 supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Ryzen 9 3900 has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 512 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 64 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Ryzen 9 3900 features 12 total cores which can process 24 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.1 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.3 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Ryzen 9 3900 does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Ryzen 9 3900 has the 107th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 45.42% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 16,803 score and $499 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 33.67. This is the 108th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoCore i7-4790KRyzen 9 3900
ManufacturerIntelAMD
SeriesCore i7Ryzen 9
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ2 2014Q3 2019
Launch Price (MSRP)$350$499
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeActive
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i7-4790K
10,88629% of 36,991
Ryzen 9 390054% better
16,80345% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 3900 has 54% better performance than the Core i7-4790K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-4790K is ranked 226th with a score of 10,886, and the Ryzen 9 3900 is ranked 107th with a score of 16,803.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-4790K
31.126% of 121.53
Ryzen 9 39008% better
33.6728% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 3900 has 8% better value for the money than the Core i7-4790K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-4790K is ranked 115th with a performance per dollar of 31.1, and the Ryzen 9 3900 is ranked 108th with a performance per dollar of 33.67.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i7-4790K or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i7-11700K17,324+59%
Core i9-9900K17,264+59%
Ryzen 9 390016,803+54%
Ryzen 5 5600G16,538+52%
Core i7-6950X16,403+51%
Core i7-6700K11,228+3%
Ryzen 5 160011,164+3%
Core i7-4790K10,886
Core i5-8600K10,833-0%
Ryzen 3 310010,702-2%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i7-4790K or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i9-9900KS36.44+17%
Core i9-9900K35.38+14%
Ryzen 9 390033.67+8%
Core i9-11900KB33.03+6%
Core i7-670032.45+4%
Core i5-6600K32.04+3%
Core i7-4790K31.1
Core i7-3770K29.45-5%
Core i7-479029.27-6%
Ryzen 9 3950X28.06-10%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkCore i7-4790KRyzen 9 3900
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
10,886
16,803
(+54.35%)
3DMark Time Spy CPU
4,838
10,725
(+121.68%)
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
846
2,804
(+231.44%)
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
174
197
(+13.22%)
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
4,395
9,527
(+116.77%)
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,408
1,652
(+17.33%)
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
8,065
30,822
(+282.17%)
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,464
2,619
(+6.29%)
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecCore i7-4790KRyzen 9 3900
ManufacturerIntelAMD
FoundryIntelTSMC
Process Size22 nm7 nm
Transistors1,400 million7,600 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecCore i7-4790KRyzen 9 3900
SeriesCore i7Ryzen 9
MicroarchitectureHaswellZen 2
CodenameHaswellMatisse
Memory SupportDDR3DDR4
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecCore i7-4790KRyzen 9 3900
Cores412
Threads824
Clock Speed4.0 GHz3.1 GHz
Turbo Clock4.4 GHz4.3 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier40.0x31.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecCore i7-4790KRyzen 9 3900
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache256 KB512 KB
L3 Cache8 MB64 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecCore i7-4790KRyzen 9 3900
SocketIntel Socket 1150AMD Socket AM4
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 4.0 x24
Thermal Design Power (TDP)88 W65 W
Package Power Tracking (PPT)--88 W
Tcase Max72 °C--
TJ Max--95 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecCore i7-4790KRyzen 9 3900
Integrated GraphicsIntel HD 4600--
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, Boost 2.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES, AVX, AVX2, BMI1, BMI2, SHA, F16C, FMA3, AMD64, EVP, AMD-V, SMAP, SMEP, SMT, Precision Boost 2, XFR 2

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.