CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-6600 vs Intel Core i7-4790
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-6600 is a high-clocked locked quad-core Skylake processor offering the best non-overclocking mainstream performance for 2015 gaming and productivity builds.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Fast single-core makes everyday tasks snappy, but multi-threaded work is slow.
Handles office tasks well but slow for modern rendering.
Gaming
Good 1080p performance in older games, but severe stuttering in modern CPU-heavy titles.
Bottlenecks modern GPUs; okay for older esports titles.
Virtualization
Inadequate for running multiple VMs due to 4 threads.
Can run basic VMs but limited by 4 cores.
Efficiency
65W TDP provides a great balance of performance and power draw.
84W TDP is high for this performance level by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware acceleration
- 4 threads are insufficient for modern AI workloads
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Slow CPU inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- 3.9 GHz turbo provides solid single-core grunt
- Lacks the threads for modern open-world games
- Will bottleneck mid-range modern GPUs at 1080p
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Suitable for older games
- Lacks AVX-512
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- High 3.9 GHz single-core turbo
- Solid 3.6 GHz all-core turbo
- 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Included a decent stock cooler
Cons
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier
- End-of-life platform with no upgrade path
- Struggles in modern multi-threaded workloads
Pros
- Improved thermals over 4770
- 4.0 GHz turbo boost
- 4 cores with Hyper-Threading
- Supports AVX2
Cons
- End-of-life platform
- High 84W TDP
- No Windows 11 support
- Locked multiplier
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-6600
- AMD FX-8370Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-6600KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4690Rival
Previous Gen
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4790Rival
High-End Previous Gen
Modern budget king that obliterates the i5-6600 in single-core and multi-core.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
6 cores/12 threads, much better for gaming and productivity today.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
The direct modern equivalent with 12 threads and superior IPC.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Older generation but still vastly superior in multi-threaded tasks.
Cheap 6-core/12-thread option on the used market.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-4790
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-8370Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4770Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4690Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-8320Rival
Desktop
Modern budget CPU that vastly outperforms it.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Excellent budget modern alternative.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
Best value modern gaming CPU.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Alt
Cheap and highly capable.
Unlocked version for older boards.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
The i5-6600 was the ultimate locked gaming chip of 2015, boasting high boost clocks, though modern users will find its 4-thread design a major bottleneck.
Best for: The i5-6600 is a solid drop-in upgrade if you are currently running a Pentium or i3 on an LGA 1151 motherboard and can get this chip for dirt cheap. It offers a noticeable bump in single-core speed and cache over lower-tier Skylake chips, making your system feel much snappier for daily use and older games. It’s also a decent holdover chip if your main CPU died and you need a cheap replacement. However, buying this to build a new system is a mistake. Modern budget chips like the i3-12100F offer vastly superior single-thread and multi-thread performance, alongside modern platform features. Do not overspend on this legacy hardware; your money is better saved for a modern platform overhaul.
Read the full reviewA solid 2014 CPU that still handles basic tasks, but struggles with modern workloads and lacks Windows 11 support.
Best for: The Core i7-4790 is a processor that should only be encountered in legacy systems. If you already own a motherboard with this chip, it can still serve adequately for basic web browsing, office applications, and older games. However, it is not recommended for purchase today. The LGA 1150 platform is dead, meaning there is no upgrade path. Additionally, the lack of official Windows 11 support and high 84W TDP make it inefficient compared to modern budget processors. Avoid buying this CPU for new builds. It is best utilized by keeping existing hardware alive for light duties.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-6600 or Intel Core i7-4790?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-6600 comes out ahead with a score of 7.2/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-6600 or Intel Core i7-4790?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-6600 leads with a gaming performance score of 60/100 among Intel Core i5-6600 and Intel Core i7-4790.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-6600 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-6600 (65 W), Intel Core i7-4790 (84 W).
Do Intel Core i5-6600 and Intel Core i7-4790 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-6600: LGA 1151, Intel Core i7-4790: Intel Socket 1150), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-6600 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-6600 (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.