Core i7-4790 processor: testing, description, reviews

The owner of a PC based on the Core i7 4790 CPU does not need to think about the system requirements of the software to the hardware of the computer. This semiconductor crystal boasts one of the highest levels of performance, which allows it to solve any problem.

For whom is this processor solution?

The hero of today's review replaced the Core i7 4770. There are no cardinal differences between them. The only difference is the increased clock speed, which in 4790 is 3.6 GHz in the base mode (that is, when using all 4 cores), and in 4770 - by 200 MHz less, 3.4 GHz in the same mode. In the rest, the niche of this processor is gaming computers, workstations and graphic stations and entry-level servers. Of course, it is possible to solve simpler tasks on such a processor, but this is not entirely justified from the economic point of view. For example, the same office applications will work fine and on a more modest, from the position of hardware characteristics, CPU. Therefore, 4790 niche is demanding programs and toys. It is to work with such software and created this semiconductor crystal.

What comes with the CPU?

BOX version of the Core i7 4790 CPU Can boast of such a bundle:

• The processor itself is in protective plastic packaging.

• Basic cooling system.

• Thermal grease.

• The processor logo in the form of a label for the front panel of the PC system unit.

• Warranty card.

• Quick start guide for using the CPU.

The more accessible version with the TRAY prefix differs only in the absence of a cooling system. The difference in the recommended value between them is $ 10.

On which socket is the processor oriented?

Core i7 4790 is focused on the most popular to date connector for the processor from Intel Corporation - FCLGA1150. Until the end of this year, it will be replaced by a socket 1151. But this does not mean that solutions based on the 1150 will immediately become obsolete. They will still be accurate for 2-3 years, and the hero of our today's review and even more - guaranteed 5 years, he will cope with any given task. The overall dimensions of the chip are 37.5 mm by 37.5 mm.

Technology

This central processor was manufactured according to the norms of the 22-nm process. This is quite a fresh solution: the most progressive chips from Intel in this regard can boast of technology at 14 nm. And they were released relatively recently. But on the other hand, 4790 is now a little cheaper because of this nuance - it was a little easier to get it.

Cache

This quad-core processor boasts a solid three-level cache that significantly improves the performance of the computer system. The first level of fast volatile memory is divided into 4 parts. The size of each of them is 64 KB. At the same time, half of these 64 KB is used to store program instructions, and the second one of exactly this size stores data. The total size of the first level cache is 256 KB. The second level is similarly divided into 4 equal parts of 256 KB. But at the same time there is no such clear division as there is not at the first level and the data together with the instructions are stored in a single address space. The cumulative size of the second cache level is 1 MB. The third level of fast volatile memory is 8 MB and is common for all CPU computational units.

RAM

The memory controller is integrated into the processor itself, and such an engineering solution significantly improves the ultimate system performance. The controller itself is a dual-channel RAM. That is, in a PC based on this chip is better to install two slats of a smaller size than one large. For example, 2 pieces of 4 GB, than 1 piece on 8 GB. The recommended type of RAM is DDR3 with frequencies of 1333 MHz and 1600 MHz. The maximum size of RAM in this case can be 32 GB, and this is quite enough to install any software on such a computer.

Temperature Nuances

A quad-core processor can not be "cold". As a result, the thermal package for this semiconductor solution is 88 W. On the one hand, this is a lot, in comparison with the decisions of "Broadway", in which this figure is 65 watts. Well, if we compare it with the most recent CPUs of the 6th generation "Kor" line (for example, "Kor i7 6700K"), we get a value of 3 W more - 91 W. In general, in terms of heat package 4790 something unusual can not boast. The maximum allowable temperature value for this semiconductor solution is 72.72 ^° C. With the standard operating mode with the complete cooling system and the maximum load level, you can get 55 degrees. If you overclock the CPU, but do not run resource-intensive applications, the temperature can reach 62-65 degrees. Well, if you overclock the CPU heavily, you can not do without an improved cooling system. In this case, the temperature of the chip will be equal to 60 degrees.

Frequency

The minimum frequency for the 4790 is 3.6 GHz. This is true for the mode of operation in which all four computing modules are used. In this case, multithreaded applications will work perfectly on the PC. If you do not need to use all 4 cores to solve the problem, but you can do 3, then the unused block is automatically turned off, and the CPU frequency rises by 100 MHz and reaches 3.7 GHz. If, for solving the problem, two modules are enough, the frequency is increased by another 100 MHz in Intel Core i7 4790 - 3.8 GHz. Well, in single-threaded mode, you can get 3.9 GHz. Similar control over the frequency of a semiconductor crystal is provided by Intel's proprietary technology - Turbo Bust. It is also responsible for the safe operating temperature of the central processing unit.

Architecture

All the most advanced architectural processor technologies are implemented in Core i7 4790. Haswell refresh is the code name for this family of chips. In this chip, on the physical level, 4 computational modules are implemented. But Intel solutions using the proprietary Hyper Trading technology at the software level can be converted into eight-flow CPUs already. It is to this class of solutions that 4790 refers. If necessary (for example, when overclocking and operating the chip in this mode), this technology can be disabled in the BIOS of the motherboard.

Graphic accelerator

The processor Core i7 4790, like any other CPU of this socket, is equipped with a built-in graphics accelerator. Of course, it certainly can not boast of outstanding parameters, but it will be enough to work with simple applications (office, browser, video, simple toys). But for the full disclosure of the potential of this semiconductor crystal, a computer system based on it must necessarily be supplemented with a productive discrete video card.

And, depending on the level of complexity of the task, you may even need 2-3 such accelerators. Well, the graphic accelerator "HDD Graph 4600" is integrated into the 4790. Its minimum frequency is 350 MHz, and the maximum frequency is 1.2 GHz. Among other features, you can highlight the possibility of displaying images directly on 3 displays.

Overclocking

The usual CPU "Kor Ai7 4790" can only be slightly overclocked by increasing the frequency of the system bus. This will give an increase in productivity to 10-15 percent. In this case, you need to do the following:

• The PC should have improved hardware (the motherboard must be on the Z97 chipset, a power unit with a power of at least 1kW, RAM - DDR3 at 1600 MHz).

• We install specialized software to check the system parameters and its stress-resistance.

• In the BIOS of the motherboard we reduce all frequencies, and the frequency of the system bus is increased to 105 MHz.

• Save the changes and reboot the system.

• We check the parameters and stress resistance. If the system is unstable, then increase the voltage on the processor in the BIOS until the system starts to work stably.

There is a more advanced version of this processor with an unlocked multiplier. At it in an abbreviation in the end the letter "To" is added. In this case, the acceleration is carried out by simply increasing the multiplier in the BIOS. In this case, the processor frequency can easily increase to 5GHz. This, in turn, will significantly increase the final performance of the computer system.

Cost

Almost, high-performance solutions from Intel can not be available. This is just as accurate as the Core i7 4790. The price recommended by the manufacturer is $ 303 (TRAY version) and $ 313 (BOX version), respectively. In reality, you can buy such a semiconductor chip for $ 380. And this is not even the limit. In some cases, the price for it can sometimes exceed $ 400.

Reviews

There are no significant differences in terms of architecture between the hero of this review and the Core i7 4770. The difference is only in the frequency formula. The 4790 frequency is 100 MHz higher. This provides a small gain in performance. In other respects, the capabilities of this chip are more than enough to solve any problem (this is the main advantage of this chip). But, on the other hand, behind all this there is a rather high cost of the CPU - this is its main drawback.

Results

Core i7 4790 is an excellent solution for workstations and graphic stations, gaming computers and entry-level servers. It is this segment of the market that this processor solution is aimed at.