4790, there is no need to think about the system requirements of the software for the hardware of the computer. This semiconductor crystal boasts one of the highest levels of performance to meet any challenge.
Who is this processor solution for?
The hero of today's review has replaced the Core i7 4770. There are no fundamental differences between them. The only difference is the increased one, which in the 4790 is equal to 3.6 GHz in the base mode (that is, when using all 4 cores), and in the 4770 it is 200 MHz less, 3.4 GHz in the same mode. Otherwise, the niche of this processor is gaming computers, workstations and graphics stations and entry-level servers. Of course, it is possible to solve simpler problems on such a processor, but this is not entirely justified from an economic point of view. For example, the same office applications will work fine on a more modest, in terms of hardware characteristics, CPU. Therefore, the 4790 niche is demanding programs and toys. This semiconductor crystal was created to work with such software.
What's in the box with the CPU?
The BOX version of the Core i7 4790 central processor boasts the following configuration:
The processor itself is in protective plastic packaging.
Basic cooling system.
Thermal paste.
Processor logo in the form of a sticker for the front panel of the PC system unit.
Warranty card.
A quick guide to using the CPU.
The more affordable version with the TRAY attachment differs only in the absence of a cooling system. The difference in the recommended cost between them is $ 10.
What socket is the processor targeting?
The Core i7 4790 targets Intel's most popular processor socket today, the FCLGA1150. Until the end of this year, socket 1151 will replace it. But this does not mean that solutions based on 1150 will immediately become obsolete. They will definitely still be relevant for 2-3 years, and the hero of our today's review is even more so - he is guaranteed to cope with any task for 5 years. The overall dimensions of the chip are 37.5 mm by 37.5 mm.
Technology
This central processing unit was manufactured in accordance with the 22 nm technological process. This is a fairly fresh solution: the most progressive Intel chips in this regard boast 14 nm technology. Moreover, they were released relatively recently. But on the other hand, 4790 has now fallen in price a little because of this nuance - it has become a little easier to acquire it.
Cache
This quad-core processor boasts a solid 3-level cache that can dramatically improve the performance of your computer system. The first rapid level 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 the same 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 each. But at the same time, there is no such clear separation as at the first level, and the data along with instructions are stored in a single address space. The total size of the second level of the cache is 1 MB. The third level of fast volatile memory is equal to 8 MB and is common for all computational units of the central processor.
RAM
The RAM controller is integrated into the processor itself, and this engineering solution significantly increases the final system performance. The RAM controller itself is dual-channel. That is, in a PC based on this chip, it is better to install two reduced-size bars than one large one. For example, 2 pieces of 4 GB than 1 piece of 8 GB. The recommended type of RAM is DDR3 with 1333 MHz and 1600 MHz frequencies. The maximum RAM size 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 cannot be cold. As a result, the thermal package for this semiconductor solution is 88 W. On the one hand, this is a lot compared to Broadwell solutions, which have this figure of 65 watts. Well, if we compare it with the most recent 6th generation Cor series CPUs (for example, Cor i7 6700K), we get a value 3 W more - 91 W. In general, in terms of a thermal package, the 4790 cannot boast of anything unusual. The maximum allowable temperature for this semiconductor solution is 72.72 0 C. In normal operation with a 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, then the temperature can reach 62-65 degrees. Well, if the CPU is heavily loaded during overclocking, then you cannot do without an improved cooling system. In this case, the temperature of the chip will be 60 degrees.
Frequency
The minimum frequency for the 4790 is 3.6 GHz. This is true for a mode of operation in which all four compute modules are used. In this case, multithreaded applications will function perfectly on the PC. If, to solve the problem, there is no need to use all 4 cores, but 3 can be dispensed with, then the idle block is automatically turned off, and the CPU frequency rises by 100 MHz and reaches 3.7 GHz. If two modules are enough to solve the problem, then the frequency is increased by another 100 MHz in the Intel Core i7 4790 - 3.8 GHz. Well, in single-threaded mode, you can get 3.9 GHz. Such regulation of the frequency of a semiconductor crystal is provided by Intel Corporation's proprietary technology - Turbo Boost. She is also responsible for the safe operating temperature of the central processing unit.
Architecture
All the most advanced architectural processor technologies are implemented in the Core i7 4790. Haswell refresh is the codename for this chip family. This chip contains 4 computational modules at the physical level. But Intel solutions using the proprietary Hyper Trading technology at the software level can be transformed into eight-thread CPUs. The 4790 belongs to this class of solutions. If necessary (for example, when overclocking and operating the chip in this mode), this technology can be disabled in the motherboard BIOS.
Graphics accelerator
The 4790, like any other CPU on this socket, has an integrated graphics accelerator. Of course, it certainly cannot boast of outstanding parameters, but it will definitely be enough to work with simple applications (office, browser, watching videos, simple toys). But to fully unleash the potential of this semiconductor crystal, a computer system based on it must be supplemented with a productive discrete video card.
Moreover, depending on the level of complexity of the task, you may even need 2-3 such accelerators. Well, the graphics accelerator "HD Graphics 4600" is integrated into the 4790. Its minimum frequency is 350 MHz, and the maximum is 1.2 GHz. Other features include the ability to display images on 3 displays at once.
Overclocking
The usual CPU "Kor Ay7 4790" can only be slightly overclocked by increasing the system bus frequency. This will increase productivity up to 10-15 percent. In this case, you need to do the following:
Improved hardware must be installed in the PC (the motherboard must be on the Z97 chipset, a power supply unit with a capacity of at least 1 kW, RAM - DDR3 1600 MHz).
We install specialized software to check the parameters of the system and its stress resistance.
In the BIOS of the motherboard, we lower all frequencies, and increase the system bus frequency to 105 MHz.
We save the changes and reboot the system.
We check the parameters and stress resistance. If the system is unstable, then we 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. She has the letter "K" added to the abbreviation at the end. In this case, overclocking 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.
The cost
High-performance solutions from Intel, alas, cannot be available. This can not be more accurate with the Core i7 4790. The manufacturer's recommended price is $ 303 (TRAY version) and $ 313 (BOX version), respectively. In reality, you can buy such a semiconductor chip for $ 380. And this is far from even the limit. In some cases, the price for it can sometimes exceed $ 400.
In mid-May, Intel. But in comparison with the predecessors, we received not completely new models, but a small increase in the clock frequency of 100-200 MHz as a result. Intel didn’t raise prices, but introduced Haswell Refresh processors to the market at the same prices. Just in time for Computex 2014, the chip maker is targeting ambitious overclockers who have added some improvements. In this article, we will look at the new flagship of the Intel Z97 platform, namely the Intel Core i7-4790K.
But after that the only thing missing was the models with the unlocked multiplier. With the Intel Core i7-4790K and Core i5-4690K processors, Intel is just fixing this oversight - just after Computex. Whereas the previous "Haswell Refresh" processors were equipped only with a higher base frequency and Turbo frequency (100 or 200 MHz), otherwise relied on the Haswell architecture and 22nm process technology, the new "Devils Canyon" processors are intended for serious overclockers.
In addition to the unlocked multiplier, Intel has fixed another major flaw. The fact is that for the "Ivy Bridge" K generation, the processor heat spreader was no longer soldered. A special material (TIM) was used between the heat spreader and the die, resembling thermal paste. Many users have complained that the heat transfer efficiency of this material has decreased. Intel tried to remedy the situation by using a new chemistry for the "Devils Canyon" processors, which has better thermal conductivity. The manufacturer promises temperatures at the level of the soldered heat spreader. The TIM improved material Intel calls Intel Next-Generation Polymer Thermal Interface Material (NGPTIM). There are also additional capacitors that promise more stable processor power. Otherwise, we get power consumption, quite comparable to the previous fastest models "Haswell", as well as "Haswell Refresh", even if slightly higher. The new "Devils Canyon" processors have a power consumption of 88W instead of the usual 84W TDP.
Motherboard ASUS Maximus VII Formula turned out to be a good choice for both fans of computer games and a wide range of IT-enthusiasts. Excellent equipment, rich bIOS overclocking capabilities, three PCI-e x16 slots for video cards and three more PCI-e x1 for controllers of additional functions, the ability to install ten SATA3 drives, support for processors Socket LGA1150 All this makes the ASUS motherboard a desirable base for building a powerful computer.
There is already an article on our site, where we examined (and disassembled a little) in some detail. Now it's time to test the overclocking capabilities of this motherboard, which is designed for the Socket LGA1150 processor. We tried overclock CPU Intel Core i7 4790K... What came of this - you will find out further along the course of the article. If you want to compare it with your existing solutions in standard operating modes, you can do this too - we present the results of several popular benchmarks without overclocking the computer.
In the graphical shell BIOS there is an impressive list of items dedicated to cPU overclocking... Including there are several presets that can facilitate the overclocking procedure for inexperienced beginners. The developers gave users the opportunity to choose the language of the BIOS graphical interface. There is even Russian in the list, but when choosing it, very little changes ... I think that most readers will agree that it would be very unusual to see abbreviations like "HDD" instead of "HDD" in BIOS. If the translators had tried and translated everything, then, apart from the translators themselves, no one would have figured out such an "adapted" interface. Please note - the screenshots show that "LN2 Mode" is in the "Enabled" state. The unmarked jumper on the motherboard in the area of \u200b\u200bthe "ProbeIt" site is responsible for this. This mode allows you to stabilize the system at subzero temperatures (hello, liquid nitrogen) and push the limit values \u200b\u200b"Cold Boot" and "Cold Bug".
ASUS Maximus VII Formula motherboard test and was carried out in a Corsair Graphite 600T case with an open side wall, with an Intel Core i7-4790K processor, Noctua NH-D15 cooler, Kingston HiperX DDR3 2800 memory (2 x 4 GB slots), ASUS Strix GeForce GTX 970 OC video card, Samsung SSD drive 840 Pro 512GB. The test bench was powered from an Enermax Revolution 850 W power supply.
Before measuring the speed of the system, Windows 7 x64 SP1 and all the necessary drivers were installed on it. During the experiment, all tests / measurements were carried out 5 times and the average result was calculated for them. It is them that we will share with you further in the form of graphs reflecting the performance in normal mode and with processor under overclocking.
As for overclocking our Intel Core i7-4790K: we managed to overclock it to 4800 MHz without much difficulty. The 4800 megahertz bar, most likely, could be raised higher, but everything "rested" on air cooling. It is very likely that the reason for the overheating was in the thermal interface under the CPU cover, since it was not carried out, and this procedure "removes" from the 4790K about ten degrees. There was clearly not enough cooling: without overclocking, the experimental did not heat up above 93 degrees Celsius, and after increasing the frequency (with a slight increase in voltage), the sensors were already recording 100 degrees. At the same time, the ambient temperature was constant and amounted to 25 degrees Celsius.
Note that none of the other motherboard It was with this CPU that we were unable to achieve stable operation at 4.8 GHz. From this it is quite possible to conclude that the board is quite suitable to overclock the processor... But again, it's worth taking care of good cooling. Otherwise, the situation will repeat itself, and you will be limited by insufficient heat dissipation from the CPU. Due to the fact that at a hundred degrees, our Intel Core i7-4790K already started the mechanism throttling, then we reduced the frequency multiplier from 48 to 47.
Temperature regime of transistor assemblies In the processor power circuit, overclocking practically did not change: instead of 48 degrees, they began to warm up to 51. Recall that overclocking was carried out with air cooling, and when combined radiators were turned on in the water cooling circuit, the sensor readings should drop. Work speed disk subsystem motherboard ASUS Maximus VII Formula from overclocking the CPU has not changed.
15.07.2014 20:01
The base clock speed of Intel Core i7-4790K is 4 GHz, in automatic mode - 4400 MHz. Not bad, agree?
There is very little time left before the release of new eight-core processors from Intel called Intel X99 chipset. However, even before the release, Intel knows how to surprise a multi-million audience of users around the world (although the giant's main focus is probably still focused on the corporate clientele).
This summer will be remembered for the appearance of two central processors (but in fact there are three of them, there is also an incredibly budgetary dual-core with an unlocked multiplier), codenamed Devil's Canyon (today's guest and). And it is this pair stones at the moment is thus freshwhich can be installed in LGA 1150 socket and Intel Z87 chipsets and also recently released.
To be fair, we note that such a powerful processor is not required for modern games, an Intel Core i5 operating at 3500-4000 MHz is enough.
This review will focus on the top quad core processor for this socket - Intel Core i7-4790K, a kind of successor to Intel Core i7-4770K. There are no architectural innovations as such, it's still the same 22 nm Haswell, with four active cores and eight computational threads. The unlocked multiplier, as indicated by the "K" suffix in the name, allows you to conquer unprecedented overclocking frequencies, but we hasten to assure you that you are unlikely to be able to achieve even more impressive results compared to the nominal, because the base clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-4790K is 4 GHz, in the automatic acceleration mode - 4400 MHz... Not bad, agree?
In such a situation, it is rather difficult to find an adequate resonance for further increasing the frequency. The amount of cache in this stone – 8 MB... The TDP level is at around 88 watts... However, this is a somewhat average figure, because at 4.4 GHz the heat dissipation increases to 102 watts. And this value is at standard voltage, which the manufacturer had to increase higher 1.3V... In idle (2D mode) Intel Core i7-4790K provides 20 watts heat. At the nominal frequency, the temperature of the Intel Core i7-4790K sometimes reached 74 Degree... However, we used a cooler from Deepcool with only 95W of power dissipation. We admit that it may not be enough for constant peak loads.
After increasing the multiplier by several values, as well as the voltage to 1.380 V, we were able to run the Intel Core i7-4790K at 4600 MHz.
The integrated graphics core is the same - Intel HD Graphics 4600, with support for three graphic displays. Maximum graphics clock speed - 1250 MHz... In addition to viewing HD video and normal displaying, this graphics card not suitable for anything else. Although at low resolution and medium picture quality settings we managed to achieve acceptable fps in the game Tomb Raider, it is another matter that the picture quality did not correspond to the level of 2013-2014 at all.
To test the Intel Core i7-4790K, we used an ASUS Z97-WS motherboard and Kingston HyperX 10th Anniversary Edition RAM (), which ran at 2133 MHz.
This motherboard allows you to squeeze a lot out of any processor, but, as mentioned above, Intel engineers have already heated up the reviewed processor to the very limit. Still, 4400 MHz is no joke. Neither for everyday needs, nor for gaming applications, so many megahertz are needed.
After increasing the multiplier by several values, as well as the voltage up to 1.380V, we managed to run Intel Core i7-4790K and on 4600 MHzhowever, for complete stability and in order to avoid overheating, we dropped to 4.5 GHz to pass the tests.
The already incredible performance of the Intel Core i7-4790K in nominal mode has increased even more. To be fair, we note that such a powerful processor is not required for modern games, an Intel Core i5 operating at 3500-4000 MHz is enough. But for rendering, professional graphics, architectural and design computing, Intel Core i7-4790K is the most suitable way.
We have not yet managed to find Intel Core i7-4790K in our retail, but it is known that the recommended price for this a rock will be in the area 350$ ... And in our opinion, this is a more expedient candidate for installation in the system compared to the now second in the Intel Core i7-4770K line. After all, today's novelty, with an equal selling price, has a nominal frequency of 4400 MHz, and the Intel Core i7-4770K still needs to be configured to work in this mode (although for lovers of computer hardware it will not be difficult).
Can the release of Devil's Canyon be called an error correction? In my opinion, yes. If such a Core i7-4790K, operating at a frequency of 4 (4.4) GHz, came out last year, then no one would dare to squeak. Everyone would be contented and happy. However, we got what we got. Devil's Canyon came out only now and may be of interest to users who have not yet decided to take advantage of Haswell's architecture, but are eager for it. Moreover, the cost of these processors does not greatly exceed the cost of the Core i5-4670K and Core i7-4770K. So, the difference between the Core i5-4670K and the Core i5-4690K is not very noticeable. It is not surprising, because in the standard mode Devil's Canyon works the fastest at 100 MHz, and their overclocking potential is approximately the same. But the difference between the Core i7-4770K and the Core i7-4790K is already noticeable. Still, the additional 500 MHz frequencies are a nice bonus (for the same money).
The new "stones", reviewed today, perfectly demonstrate, albeit small, but the development of the market of central processors. As you can see, factories have improved the production of 22-nanometer solutions: the rejection rate has decreased, the frequency threshold has increased. Extending the electrical connection and replacing the thermal interface favorably affected both the cooling efficiency and overclocking. The second point more likely refers to the Core i7-4790K. However, I repeat: overclocking is always a lottery. And be lucky!
