Retailer photo of Intel Core i7-4790K. View this offer in Where to buy
Intel · CPU
Intel Core i7-4790K
The current Intel Core i7-4790K price from retailers, its key specifications, and how it performs for each job.
Trade-offs: you want strong value with Balanced priorities specifically
- Cores / threads
- 4C / 8T
- Boost clock
- 4400 MHz
- Socket
- LGA 1150
- TDP
- 132 W
Move a slider and the page re-scores this product against the same market frame.
What does it cost today, and is that a good price?
Market confidence: LowAt $80 the Intel Core i7-4790K is priced in line with its $80 representative market level. Only one retailer currently backs that price, so the level is a single data point rather than a market.
Limited market: only one retailer currently has a verified offer, so treat this price as a single data point.
Prices & availability
Intel Core i7-4790K: current price and offers
Compare the offers we track for this model, across variants and retailers.
1 tracked offers · 1 retailers
| Variant | Store | Condition | Price (snapshot) | Value · Balanced | Checked | Offer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i7-4790K | Newegg | New | $80 | 27 | 2026-10-16 | View offer → |
| Intel Core i7-4790KMultiple variants available | Amazon Affiliate | Varies | Find on Amazon | Not tracked | No price snapshot | Find on Amazon → |
Prices are dated snapshots, not live quotes — confirm the final price at the store. New, refurbished and used offers are listed separately; used offers carry warranty and seller risk.
Performance and where it ranks
Two different questions, side by side. Performance compares what the hardware can do; Value compares what that capability costs at today’s price. A product can rank high on one and low on the other — that gap is the point.
Performance Balanced
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#222 of 264 graded processors
- #219 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 5
- #220 IntelIntel Core i3-10105 5
- #221 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1240 V5 5
- #222 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 5
- #223 IntelIntel Core i5-9500T 5
- #224 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1230 V5 5
- #225 IntelIntel Xeon E5 2620 V3 5
Value Balanced
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#188 of 264 currently priced processors
- #185 AMDAMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X 27
- #186 AMDAMD Ryzen 7 2700 27
- #187 IntelIntel Core i9-9900K 27
- #188 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 27
- #189 IntelIntel Core i5-9600 27
- #190 IntelIntel Core i9-9900X 26
- #191 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 2200G 26
Performance Gaming
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#214 of 264 graded processors
- #211 IntelIntel Core i3-10105 53
- #212 IntelIntel Core i5-8400 52
- #213 IntelIntel Core i7-7700 52
- #214 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 52
- #215 IntelIntel Core i3-10100F 52
- #216 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 52
- #217 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 52
Value Gaming
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#213 of 264 currently priced processors
- #210 IntelIntel Core i3-9300 13
- #211 AMDAMD Ryzen 3 1200 13
- #212 IntelIntel Core i5-9500F 12
- #213 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 12
- #214 IntelIntel Core i7-6800K 12
- #215 IntelIntel Core i7-6850K 12
- #216 IntelIntel Core i7-8086K 12
Performance Productivity
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#222 of 264 graded processors
- #219 IntelIntel Core i3-10100 5
- #220 IntelIntel Core i3-10105 5
- #221 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1240 V5 5
- #222 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 5
- #223 IntelIntel Core i5-9500T 5
- #224 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1230 V5 5
- #225 IntelIntel Xeon E5 2620 V3 5
Value Productivity
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#233 of 264 currently priced processors
- #230 IntelIntel Xeon E5 2650 1
- #231 IntelIntel Core i5-7400 1
- #232 IntelIntel Core i5-7500 1
- #233 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 1
- #234 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1230 V5 1
- #235 IntelIntel Xeon E5-2643 v4 1
- #236 IntelIntel Core i7 Extreme 4960X 1
Performance Performance per Watt
How much it can do. Price plays no part in this ranking.
#218 of 264 graded processors
- #215 IntelIntel Core i5-9400F 11
- #216 IntelIntel Core i5-9400 11
- #217 IntelIntel Core i5-8400 11
- #218 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 11
- #219 IntelIntel Xeon E5 2620 V3 11
- #220 IntelIntel Xeon E3 1276 V3 11
- #221 IntelIntel Core i7-6900K 10
Value Performance per Watt
How much of that you get for today’s price.
#221 of 264 currently priced processors
- #218 IntelIntel Core i5-7500 7
- #219 IntelIntel Core i9-11900KF 7
- #220 IntelIntel Core i5-11600KF 7
- #221 IntelIntel Core i7-4790K 6
- #222 IntelIntel Core i9-9900 6
- #223 IntelIntel Core i9-7980XE 6
- #224 IntelIntel Core i7-7800X 6
These ladders follow the preset scenario shown above. Your own weights re-score this product, not the whole field.
What it is good for
| Scenario | this productCapability grade · Value at current price | Higher capability | Higher Value with current priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced (all-round)Weighted all-round view | GradeNo grade Value27 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 71 +178% capability · +15% price | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 4500 67 +98% capability · +10% price |
| GamingScenario capability | GradeC Value12 | Higher capability Intel Core i3-9350K C 17 +17% capability · -2% price | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 4500 B 53 +3% capability · +10% price |
| ProductivityScenario capability | GradeF Value1 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen 7 3700X C 8 +178% capability · +15% price | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 4500 D 6 +98% capability · +10% price |
| Performance per WattScenario capability | GradeF Value6 | Higher capability AMD Ryzen 7 3700X B 45 +324% capability · +15% price | Higher Value with current priorities AMD Ryzen 5 4500 C 51 +200% capability · +10% price |
Balanced has no letter: it is a weighting preset, not a capability rubric. A grade answers “how well does this handle that job?” — price is never part of it. Relative Value puts the current market price back in.
Compare these grades with the full tier list
Browse shortlists for different uses
Trade-offs
Works well if
- Gaming is your main prioritygraded C for Gaming on the same rubric as the tier list
Consider other options if
- You want strong value with Balanced priorities specificallycompeting products deliver so much more per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- Productivity is what you actually need it forit grades only F there
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Consider other options if
- Gaming is what you actually need it forit grades C there; Intel Core i3-9350K grades C at $78
- You want strong value for Gaming specificallycompeting products deliver so much more for Gaming per dollar that no price this model realistically trades at reaches the strong-value mark for this job
- You are buying for Gaming and want no asterisksthe rubric caps this grade: gaming index estimated from single-thread speed, cache and x3d — not a measured game benchmark for this exact chip
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Productivity is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Productivity, but C for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Productivity is what you actually need it forit grades F there; AMD Ryzen 7 3700X grades C at $92
For the selected scenario this is not a strong fit — the grade above is the reason, and the models below suit it better.
Works well if
- Performance per Watt is not actually your main job — Gaming isit grades F for Performance per Watt, but C for Gaming
Consider other options if
- Performance per Watt is what you actually need it forit grades F there; AMD Ryzen 7 3700X grades B at $92
Models that suit Performance per Watt better, at this budget
Every line states the fact it was derived from, for the scenario selected above. Thresholds are calculated points on our value curve — information about where the maths turns, not instructions about what to pay.
Similar options to the Intel Core i7-4790K
Chosen for Balanced
Chosen for Gaming
Chosen for Productivity
Chosen for Performance per Watt
Alternatives stay near this product’s price range. Step-up options may exceed the standard budget envelope when the capability gain is meaningful.
More head-to-head comparisons in this category
Upgrade planner
Judge the change in the active scenario, then make the cash gap explicit.
Using page scenarioWhat are you upgrading from? These are the axes we compare on, and where this product stands in the current market.
We rank upgrades by out-of-pocket cost — the new price minus what yours is worth — not by sticker price.
Only candidates that clear the configured meaningful-upgrade gate will be shown; roles are omitted rather than filled.
Capability differences are expressed as tiers and index points, not as benchmark percentages we did not measure.
Specifications and compatibility
What this product is, and what to check before it goes into your build.
Core / Performance
- Cores
- 4
- Threads
- 8
- Performance cores
- 4
- Efficiency cores
- 0
- Base clock
- 4000 MHz
- Boost clock
- 4400 MHz
Power / Interface
- TDP
- 132 W
- Maximum turbo power
- 132 W
- Socket
- LGA 1150
- Integrated graphics
- Intel HD Graphics 4600
- Process node
- 22 nm
Show all specifications
Core / Performance
- L2 cache
- 1 MB
- L3 cache
- 8 MB
- Unlocked multiplier
- Yes
Warranty & release
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Release year
- 2014
- Manufacturer part number
- BXF80646I74790K
Hover any value to see where it came from: a manufacturer specification, or a figure The Comparator calculated.
Sources: Comparator offer frame 2026-10-10–2026-10-17
What to check in your build
LGA 1150 required
Your motherboard must use socket LGA 1150. A different socket does not fit — this is a physical constraint, not a preference.
Board BIOS must list this model
A matching socket is necessary but not sufficient — check the vendor CPU support list.
Unknown
Cooler rated for 132 W or more
No cooler is included. Your cooler must be rated for at least 132 W on socket LGA 1150.
Found an error? Report this specification Email the field, corrected value and an optional source.
Compatibility guidance is practical help, not a score. Missing data is shown as unknown, never invented.
Summary
Intel Core i7-4790K offers a balanced view across an all-round mix of priorities. It ranks #222 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 227. Intel Core i3-10100F currently clears the same practical bar with stronger Relative Value.
Intel Core i7-4790K offers C-grade capability for Gaming. It ranks #214 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 227. The C grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i7-4790K offers F-grade capability for Productivity. It ranks #222 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 227. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
Intel Core i7-4790K offers F-grade capability for Performance per Watt. It ranks #218 by capability in the current modelled field. Its clearest measured strength is multi-thread index 227. The F grade is the decisive limitation for this workload.
FAQ
Why does Relative Value change when I choose another scenario?
Each scenario changes the weights applied to capability, price and the other published factors. The hardware facts stay fixed, but the value question changes, so its score and rank can change too.
Why can Amazon appear without a tracked price?
Amazon is shown as a discovery link when we do not have a permitted verified price snapshot. It is excluded from price comparisons, rankings and Relative Value until a compliant tracked price exists.
Useful links & sources
offer frame 2026-10-10–2026-10-17 · formula cpu-value-v1.4 · facts facts-2026-10-17 · Relative Value is an estimate from our current dataset, the selected weights and dated market prices — not an official product rating and not a price forecast. Target prices are calculation thresholds, not predictions. Methodology We are not a shop. Affiliate links may earn us a commission; they never change the calculations or the ranking.