i7-980X EE vs i7-4790K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-4790K
2014
4 cores / 8 threads, 88 Watt
5.08
+32.3%
Core i7-980X EE
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
3.84

Core i7-4790K outperforms Core i7-980X EE by a substantial 32% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking12211469
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.97no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)Core i7 (Desktop)
Power efficiency5.462.80
Architecture codenameDevil's CanyonGulftown (2010−2011)
Release dateJune 2014 (10 years ago)no data
Launch price (MSRP)$339no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads812
Base clock speed4 GHzno data
Boost clock speed4.4 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s6400 MHz
L1 cache64K (per core)no data
L2 cache256K (per core)no data
L3 cache8 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size177 mm2no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1no data
SocketFCLGA1150LGA-1366
Power consumption (TDP)88 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2no data
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
FDI+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
Secure Key+no data
Identity Protection+-
OS Guard+no data
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3no data
Maximum memory size32 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 4600no data
Max video memory2 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.25 GHzno data
Execution Units20no data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data
VGA+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.43840x2160@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort3840x2160@60Hzno data
Max resolution over VGA1920x1200@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX11.2/12no data
OpenGL4.3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes16no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-4790K 5.08
+32.3%
i7-980X EE 3.84

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-4790K 8069
+32.4%
i7-980X EE 6096

Cinebench 10 32-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 10 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R10 using all the processor threads. Possible number of threads is limited by 16 in this version.

i7-4790K 25082
+8.3%
i7-980X EE 23150

3DMark06 CPU

3DMark06 is a discontinued DirectX 9 benchmark suite from Futuremark. Its CPU part contains two scenarios, one dedicated to artificial intelligence pathfinding, another to game physics using PhysX package.

i7-4790K 9485
+33.2%
i7-980X EE 7123

wPrime 32

wPrime 32M is a math multi-thread processor test, which calculates square roots of first 32 million integer numbers. Its result is measured in seconds, so that the less is benchmark result, the faster the processor.

i7-4790K 5.94
i7-980X EE 5.1
+16.5%

Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 11.5 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R11.5 which uses all the processor threads. A maximum of 64 threads is supported in this version.

i7-4790K 9
+2.9%
i7-980X EE 9

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 5.08 3.84
Physical cores 4 6
Threads 8 12
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 88 Watt 130 Watt

i7-4790K has a 32.3% higher aggregate performance score, a 45.5% more advanced lithography process, and 47.7% lower power consumption.

i7-980X EE, on the other hand, has 50% more physical cores and 50% more threads.

The Core i7-4790K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-980X EE in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-4790K and Core i7-980X EE, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-4790K
Core i7-4790K
Intel Core i7-980X EE
Core i7-980X EE

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.3 2538 votes

Rate Core i7-4790K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
2.6 19 votes

Rate Core i7-980X EE on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-4790K or Core i7-980X EE, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.