Intel Core i5-6600K vs Intel Core i7-4790K

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Core i5-6600K compared with Core i7-4790K
IntelCore i5-6600KIntelCore i7-4790K
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2015June 2014
Cores and clocks
Cores44
Threads48 (better)
Base clock3.5 GHz4 GHz
Boost clock3.9 GHz4.4 GHz (better)
L3 cache6 MB8 MB (better)
CoresSkylake; four cores without Hyper-Threading; unlocked multiplier confirmed in Intel's Gamescom releaseFour cores with Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 supported. The current maker page lists Transactional Synchronization Extensions as unsupported, superseding early review specifications.
Clocks–Maximum turbo is a single-core frequency; overclocking requires an appropriate motherboard and cooling. Intel publishes TDP without a separate maximum turbo-power figure.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphicsYesYes
GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 530; maker clocks 350 MHz base and 1.15 GHz maximum dynamic clock, rather than differing launch-review figuresIntel HD Graphics 4600; 20 execution units; 350 MHz base, up to 1.25 GHz; three displays; Quick Sync Video. HDMI up to 3840×2160 at 24 Hz; DisplayPort and eDP up to 3840×2160 at 60 Hz; VGA up to 1920×1200 at 60 Hz.
Platform
SocketLGA1151LGA1150
Base power91 W88 W
UnlockedYesYes
Cooler in the boxNo–
Memory supportUp to 64 GB; two channels; DDR4-1866/2133 or DDR3L-1333/1600 at 1.35 V; maximum bandwidth 34.1 GB/s; no ECC supportUp to 32 GB; two channels; DDR3-1333/1600 or DDR3L-1333/1600 at 1.5 V, as listed by Intel; 25.6 GB/s maximum bandwidth; ECC not supported.
PCIe16 CPU lanes; PCIe 3.0PCIe 3.0; 16 CPU lanes, configured as 1×16, 2×8 or 1×8+2×4.
ChipsetsLGA1151 Skylake platform; Intel's 5 August 2015 release names the 6600K boxed processor and systems as available immediately–
Process14 nm22 nm; Devil's Canyon, a Haswell refresh; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; 74.04°C Tcase limit, not a junction-temperature limit. New polymer thermal interface and additional capacitors, described in Intel's Computex launch coverage and the exact-model reviews.
CoolerIntel lists no included heatsink; a separate cooler is required, despite the bundled-cooler implication in Expert ReviewsIntel lists both ordinary boxed and explicitly fanless boxed SKUs; cooler contents should be checked for the particular package. Compatible Intel 8- and 9-series chipsets require the appropriate motherboard BIOS. Intel's June 2014 fact sheet confirms volume availability that month; the announcement itself is not used as the on-sale day.

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