AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core i7-4790
93Single-core27.2
99Multi-core25.9
85.2Gamingspec-based24.4
17 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-4790
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 93.7 to 25.9, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+73) and single-core (+66). Intel Core i7-4790 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
- Stronger single-core score: 93 vs 27
- Stronger multi-core score: 99 vs 26
- 1500% higher L2 cache: 16 MB vs 1 MB
- 813% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 42,000 vs 4,600
- 701% higher PassMark: 66,500 vs 8,300
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-4790
- 51% lower Base TDP: 84 W vs 170 W
- Has Cooler included — the other doesn't
- Lower launch price: $303 vs $649
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2014 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1150 |
| Process | 4 nm+82% | 22 nm |
| Base TDP | 170 W | 84 W+51% |
| Max turbo power | 230 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+300% | 4 |
| Performance cores | 16+300% | 4 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 32+300% | 8 |
| Base clock | 4.3 GHz+19% | 3.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz+43% | 4 GHz |
| L2 cache | 16 MB+1500% | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+700% | 8 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel HD Graphics 4600 |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max memory | 192 GB+500% | 32 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+75% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core i7-4790 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,400+176%Top 2% | 1,230Bottom 16% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 23,000+468%Top 2% | 4,050Bottom 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,280Top 4% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 42,000+813%Top 5% | 4,600Bottom 12% |
| PassMark | 66,500+701%Top 4% | 8,300Bottom 11% |
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