Intel Core i7-4790K vs Intel Core i7-6700K

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Core i7-4790K compared with Core i7-6700K

	IntelCore i7-4790K	IntelCore i7-6700K
Overview
Released
Released	June 2014	August 2015
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	4	4
Threads
Threads	8	8
Base clock
Base clock	4 GHz	4 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	4.4 GHz (better)	4.2 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	8 MB	8 MB
Cores
Cores	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.	Four cores with Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 supported.
Clocks
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.	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	Yes	Yes
Graphics
Graphics	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.	Intel HD Graphics 530; 350 MHz base, up to 1.15 GHz; three displays; Quick Sync Video. DisplayPort and eDP up to 4096×2304 at 60 Hz; HDMI up to 4096×2304 at 24 Hz.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1151
Base power
Base power	88 W	91 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	–	No
Memory support
Memory support	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.	Up to 64 GB; two channels; DDR4-1866/2133 or DDR3L-1333/1600 at 1.35 V; 34.1 GB/s maximum bandwidth; ECC not supported.
PCIe
PCIe	PCIe 3.0; 16 CPU lanes, configured as 1×16, 2×8 or 1×8+2×4.	PCIe 3.0; 16 CPU lanes, configured as 1×16, 2×8 or 1×8+2×4. PC Gamer describes the Z170 platform's faster DMI 3.0 chipset link and expanded storage connectivity.
Process
Process	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.	14 nm; Skylake; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; Intel lists a 64°C Tcase limit, which is a case-temperature specification rather than a junction-temperature limit.
Cooler
Cooler	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.	Boxed processor includes no fan or heatsink. Requires a compatible Intel 100-series motherboard; the launch notice names the Z170 chipset for unlocked processors.