How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-6500 scores 23.5/100 overall; Intel Core i7-4790 scores 25.9/100. Intel Core i5-6500 wins 4 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-4790 wins 9.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-6500 and the Intel Core i7-4790?

Intel Core i5-6500 advantages: 100% higher Max memory: 64 GB vs 32 GB; 36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm; 23% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 84 W; Lower launch price: $192 vs $303. Intel Core i7-4790 advantages: Stronger Multi-core score: 26 vs 23; 100% higher threads: 8 vs 4; 48% higher PassMark: 8,300 vs 5,600; 33% higher L3 cache: 8 MB vs 6 MB; 33% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 4,050 vs 3,050.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-6500 or Intel Core i7-4790?

Intel Core i5-6500 launched cheaper at $192, versus $303 for the Intel Core i7-4790.

Intel Core i5-6500 vs Intel Core i7-4790

Intel

Intel Core i5-6500

$192

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i7-4790

$303

25.6Single-core27.2

22.9Multi-core25.9

21.9Gaming24.4

4 spec wins — Intel Core i5-65009 spec wins — Intel Core i7-4790

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-4790 wins this desktop processor face-off, 25.9 to 23.5, pulling ahead mainly in Multi-core (+3) and gaming (+3). Intel Core i5-6500 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-6500

100% higher Max memory: 64 GB vs 32 GB
36% lower process: 14 nm vs 22 nm
23% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 84 W
Lower launch price: $192 vs $303

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-4790

Stronger Multi-core score: 26 vs 23
100% higher threads: 8 vs 4
48% higher PassMark: 8,300 vs 5,600
33% higher L3 cache: 8 MB vs 6 MB
33% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 4,050 vs 3,050

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-6500 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-6500	Intel Core i7-4790
Announced	2015	2014
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
Process	14 nm+36%	22 nm
Base TDP	65 W+23%	84 W
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
Cooler included	Yes	Yes

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-6500 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-6500	Intel Core i7-4790
Cores	4	4
Performance cores	4	4
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	8+100%
Base clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
Boost clock	3.6 GHz	4 GHz+11%
L2 cache	1 MB	1 MB
L3 cache	6 MB	8 MB+33%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-6500 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-6500	Intel Core i7-4790
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 530	Intel HD Graphics 4600
iGPU clock	1,050 MHz	1,200 MHz+14%

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-6500 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-6500	Intel Core i7-4790
Memory support	DDR4-2133 / DDR3L-1600	DDR3-1600
Max memory	64 GB+100%	32 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-6500 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-6500	Intel Core i7-4790
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-6500 versus Intel Core i7-4790
Spec	Intel Core i5-6500	Intel Core i7-4790
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,180Top 85%	1,230+4%Top 82%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	3,050Top 92%	4,050+33%Top 84%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	3,500Top 95%	4,600+31%Top 85%
PassMark	5,600Top 95%	8,300+48%Top 84%

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