CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-4790T vs Intel Core i5-4590T
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-4790T is a low-power desktop processor launched in May 2014 as part of the 4th Generation Haswell refresh. Designed for small form factor (SFF) PCs and all-in-one systems, it operates at a highly efficient 45-watt TDP. Built on the 22nm process, it features 4 cores and 8 threads. The processor runs at a base clock of 2.7 GHz and can boost up to 3.9 GHz. It includes 8MB of L3 cache and integrates Intel HD Graphics 4600. The 'T' suffix denotes its low-power nature, trading raw multi-core frequency for energy efficiency and cooler operation. This allows it to be used in compact chassis with minimal cooling requirements. While it lacks the unlocked multiplier of the 'K' series, the i7-4790T remains a reliable choice for office workstations, HTPCs, and compact builds where space and power are constrained.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Good for office tasks but slow for rendering.
Adequate for basic office tasks where bursty workloads benefit from the 3.0 GHz turbo, but sustained multi-threaded work is limited.
Gaming
Low base clock limits gaming performance.
The 2.0 GHz base clock severely limits gaming performance. Only viable for very old or casual games, even with a dedicated GPU.
Virtualization
Limited by low clocks and 4 cores.
Four threads at low clocks make virtualization impractical for any meaningful workload.
Efficiency
45W TDP was efficient for 2014, but outdated now.
The 35W TDP was impressive for a quad-core in 2014, though modern processors achieve far better performance at similar or lower power.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Low clock speeds further reduce any AVX2 compute capability
- 35W power budget leaves no headroom for inference workloads
- Not viable for any AI application
Content Creation
Gaming
- Low base clock
- HD 4600 is too weak
- Not for gaming
- 2.0 GHz base clock too low for consistent game performance
- 3.0 GHz turbo helps in short bursts but cannot sustain
- Only suitable for pre-2015 games at low settings
- HD 4600 insufficient for any modern gaming without a dGPU
- Even with a dGPU, CPU bottleneck is severe in modern titles
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Ultra-low 45W TDP
- Good for silent builds
- 4 cores with Hyper-Threading
- Includes HD 4600 graphics
Cons
- Low base clock
- Locked multiplier
- 14nm process is outdated
- LGA 1150 is a dead platform
Pros
- Extremely low 35W TDP enables compact cooling solutions
- Retains full 6 MB L3 cache despite power reduction
- Quad-core design handles multi-tasking better than dual-core alternatives
- 1 GHz turbo delta provides good burst performance
- Compatible with all LGA 1150 motherboards
Cons
- 2.0 GHz base clock is very slow for sustained workloads
- Launched at $192, more expensive than the faster i5-4590
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier with no overclocking potential
- DDR3 memory platform is obsolete
- Outperformed by modern Celeron and Pentium processors at lower TDPs
- Limited availability as it was primarily an OEM product
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-4790T
- AMD A8-7600Rival
Desktop
- AMD A10-7700KRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4590TRival
Desktop
- Intel Core i7-4770TRival
Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
Desktop
Modern alternative with much better performance and efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
Superior integrated graphics and CPU performance.
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
Modern 6-core alternative.
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600GAlt
Great budget APU for SFF builds.
Slightly newer alternative on the same socket.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-4590T
- AMD A8-7600 (45W)Rival
Low-Power APU
- AMD A10-7800 (45W)Rival
Low-Power APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570TRival
Low-Power Desktop
- Intel Core i3-4360TRival
Low-Power Desktop
- Intel Core i7-4765TRival
Low-Power Desktop
Much faster at the same price if thermal constraints are not a concern.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500GTAlt
Modern low-power hex-core with integrated graphics that vastly outperforms the i5-4590T.
Modern 35W quad-core with eight threads, DDR5 support, and dramatically better single-thread performance.
Compare head-to-headCoffee Lake 35W hex-core with significantly more performance at similar power.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GEAlt
Modern 35W embedded processor with six cores and twelve threads.
Our Verdict on Each
A highly efficient 45W desktop CPU for its time, but its low base clock makes it sluggish for modern tasks.
Best for: If you are considering the Intel Core i7-4790T today, it should only be for specific budget or replacement scenarios. It is an excellent choice if you are maintaining a small form factor PC for basic office work or as a home theater PC, where its 45W TDP allows for silent operation. However, for new builds, modern processors offer significantly better performance and efficiency. The 4790T is best purchased used or refurbished at a low price. Avoid this processor if you need to do any modern gaming, heavy video editing, or if you want an upgrade path, as the LGA 1151 socket is obsolete.
Read the full reviewAn impressive engineering exercise in power efficiency that sacrificed significant performance for its 35W TDP. Ideal for thermally constrained builds of its era, but modern low-power CPUs deliver far better performance at similar power envelopes.
Best for: Replacing a failed CPU in an existing thin mini-ITX or all-in-one system that requires a 35W LGA 1150 processor
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-4790T or Intel Core i5-4590T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4590T comes out ahead with a score of 6.5/10. 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 i7-4790T or Intel Core i5-4590T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4590T leads with a gaming performance score of 30/100 among Intel Core i7-4790T and Intel Core i5-4590T.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-4590T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-4790T (45 W), Intel Core i5-4590T (35 W).
Do Intel Core i7-4790T and Intel Core i5-4590T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-4790T: Intel Socket 1150, Intel Core i5-4590T: LGA 1150), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-4590T posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4590T (3,350). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.