Intel Core i7-3930K vs Intel Core i7-4790K

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Core i7-3930K compared with Core i7-4790K

	IntelCore i7-3930K	IntelCore i7-4790K
Overview
Released
Released	November 2011	June 2014
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	6 (better)	4
Threads
Threads	12 (better)	8
Base clock
Base clock	3.2 GHz	4 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.8 GHz	4.4 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	12 MB (better)	8 MB
Cores
Cores	Six cores with Hyper-Threading; twelve threads. Fully unlocked multiplier, confirmed by Intel's exact-model brief and the reviews. VT-d is supported only by C2 stepping according to Intel.	Four 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
Clocks	Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.80 GHz. First-sale day comes from Legit Reviews' 14 November 2011 report of the exact boxed processor in stock at Newegg, cross-checked with Puget Systems' same-day launch coverage; Intel's specification page gives Q4 2011.	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 graphics
Built-in graphics	No	Yes
Graphics
Graphics	No processor graphics; Intel's exact-model comparison-chart row lists graphics as not applicable. A separate graphics solution is required.	Intel 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
Socket
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1150
Base power
Base power	130 W	88 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	–
Memory support
Memory support	Four channels of DDR3-1066/1333/1600; up to 51.2 GB/s, without ECC. Intel's later comparison chart incorrectly lists two channels; the original brief and current specification page both establish four.	Up 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.
PCIe
PCIe	40 PCIe 2.0 lanes according to Intel's specification page.	PCIe 3.0; 16 CPU lanes, configured as 1×16, 2×8 or 1×8+2×4.
Process
Process	32 nm; Sandy Bridge-E. Package measures 52.5 × 45.0 mm; Intel states a 66.8°C maximum case temperature, not a junction-temperature rating.	22 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.
Cooler
Cooler	Intel explicitly says the boxed processor has no fan or heatsink. Requires an LGA2011-compatible cooler and motherboard; Intel's product brief names the X79 platform.	Intel 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.