Core i7-4790K Review: Devil's Canyon Tantalizes Enthusiasts

[In3rt1a]

Valid points are being made from both sides of this debate. Neither view point is without substance. With that said, I'd like to reiterate a point stated above; the desktop PC market is steadily and undeniably in decline - the enthusiast desktop PC market was never really that large to begin with. Revolutions in technology don't just happen because a company has the resources at its disposal. It happens out of necessity to satisfy a void in a market. Right now there is no void. No thirst to quench except for the insatiable one possessed by PC Enthusiasts - which can only be satisfied for a few quarters a year to be honest. And sorry, that market segment is not large enough or profitable enough to justify a revolution in processing capabilities.

So until a platform so complex that only the highest level i7's can manage it is invented, there will only be modest increases of performance and features in the desktop PC market - especially so for the Enthusiast sector of said market.

What makes you say that the desktop pc market is in decline?

Whether or not desktops are falling out of popularity with the masses, they will always be favored by anyone with serious needs regarding compute power or reliability. Especially since we are reaching the point where it is atomically impossible to fit any more transistors into a tighter space... The market for desktop computers isn't going anywhere.

Actually Intel is working on 10nm now. They will get there. But after that? It just may not be worth going smaller.

Yah, they're still going, but you can only get so small

 

[In3rt1a]

What makes you say that the desktop pc market is in decline?

Facts mostly.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1072693/pc-sales-saw-worst-ever-decline-in-2013/
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324695104578414973888155516
http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2604616

Whether or not desktops are falling out of popularity with the masses, they will always be favored by anyone with serious needs regarding compute power or reliability. Especially since we are reaching the point where it is atomically impossible to fit any more transistors into a tighter space... The market for desktop computers isn't going anywhere.

Yeah that was part of my point. It's not going anywhere - hence the moderate increases in CPU performance from Intel.

I'm not arguing against your point that Intel is making moderate increases in performance.

Your statistics only take into account the number of manufacturer built PCs sold. Have you looked into the sale of computer components, like cpus, mobos, etc? I think the number of custom desktop builds has to be factored in when considering the incline/decline of desktops. I've observed the number of people doing custom builds increase quite a bit in recent years.

Idk if there is way to accurately calculate the above and factor that into our stats, but I think the number of custom desktops out there could significantly change that 8% decline figure you linked. If you're willing to do the research to prove me wrong, then by all means. I am interested as to the outcome.

 

[Wisecracker]

Hey ...
If you guys don't like the way Intel is advancing desktop processors, buy up massive amounts of stock, seek proxies from individual and institutional investors, attend an annual shareholders meeting, and try to pass a resolution demanding Intel invest billions of dollars in performance enhancements for a negative return in a flat/declining market.

Good luck with that :lol:

 

[Doug Lord]

Hmm this or wait for 8 core Haswell E??? I mainly use for gaming which would indicate I should go for GHZ over cores. But Watch Dogs loves 6 cores and with new consoles being so heavily threaded I wonder if this is changing.

 

[Doug Lord]

So ROUGHLY 5% faster than 4770k both overclocked sustainably. It would be nice if you put that on page 1.

 

[Doug Lord]

Base clock jump of 3.5GHZ to 4.0GHZ makes this look like a 15% speed bump. Then you see its just 5% with a sustainable overclock. And that's productivity - not gaming. I guess I'll wait for Haswell-E and Maxwell. That will crush in productivity and I want H.265 decode.

 

[babernet_1]

Don't be so hyper about those 8 cores on Haswell - E. If you look, the clock is slower, the power rating is the same as the 6 core version. If you look at the core usage of games, they always max out one, and the rest, if used, are at about 25% usage at most. In other words, for gaming, the 8 core may be slower than the 6 core. The 4790K just may be faster in gaming.

 

[anthony8989]

I'm not arguing against your point that Intel is making moderate increases in performance.

Phew, that's a relief. I would have thought you were an idiot if you argued that.

Your statistics only take into account the number of manufacturer built PCs sold.

Yeah, that was silly of me - judging the mass of a market by units sold.

Have you looked into the sale of computer components, like cpus, mobos, etc? I think the number of custom desktop builds has to be factored in when considering the incline/decline of desktops. I've observed the number of people doing custom builds increase quite a bit in recent years.

Idk if there is way to accurately calculate the above and factor that into our stats, but I think the number of custom desktops out there could significantly change that 8% decline figure you linked.

There's no need. Just follow the numbers. Intel serves up millions of CPU's a year to OEM desktop manufacturer's. They fork over a fraction of that to e-tailers and retailers for sale in custom or refreshed builds. Take that formula, apply to each desktop component, rinse and repeat until thoroughly bored.

If you're willing to do the research to prove me wrong, then by all means. I am interested as to the outcome.

I'd prove you wrong - but you haven't proven anything.

 

[In3rt1a]

I'm not arguing against your point that Intel is making moderate increases in performance.

Phew, that's a relief. I would have thought you were an idiot if you argued that.

Your statistics only take into account the number of manufacturer built PCs sold.

Yeah, that was silly of me - judging the mass of a market by units sold.

Have you looked into the sale of computer components, like cpus, mobos, etc? I think the number of custom desktop builds has to be factored in when considering the incline/decline of desktops. I've observed the number of people doing custom builds increase quite a bit in recent years.

Idk if there is way to accurately calculate the above and factor that into our stats, but I think the number of custom desktops out there could significantly change that 8% decline figure you linked.

There's no need. Just follow the numbers. Intel serves up millions of CPU's a year to OEM desktop manufacturer's. They fork over a fraction of that to e-tailers and retailers for sale in custom or refreshed builds. Take that formula, apply to each desktop component, rinse and repeat until thoroughly bored.

If you're willing to do the research to prove me wrong, then by all means. I am interested as to the outcome.

I'd prove you wrong - but you haven't proven anything.

*sigh* Can't two people have a friendly argument on the internet without one of them acting like a close minded child? I'm done here, this isn't an intellectual debate anymore.

 

[anthony8989]

*sigh* Can't two people have a friendly argument on the internet without one of them acting like a close minded child? I'm done here, this isn't an intellectual debate anymore.

Oh jeez don't get all butt-hurt from my sarcasm. You practically asked for it when you submitted what was basically here-say to the argument:

I've observed the number of people doing custom builds increase quite a bit in recent years.

.

C'mon , I've seen a lot of seagulls in the parking lot at work lately - does that mean the seagull population is growing. Of course not.

Come back to the argument , I'll be nicer.

 

[jdpg265]

My 2600k has been running at 4.5Ghz stable for 3 years... I still don't see any need to upgrade.

 

[jdpg265]

My 2600k has been running at 4.5Ghz stable for 3 years... I still don't see any need to upgrade.

 

[szalkerous]

What I am getting from this article is that, since I have a delid/coolaboratory 4770K, I basically have a 4790K, with the exception of some firmware settings and a few capacitors?

 

[Ninjawithagun]

What I am getting from this article is that, since I have a delid/coolaboratory 4770K, I basically have a 4790K, with the exception of some firmware settings and a few capacitors?

Uh no. You also have a revision CPU that has optimized prefetch capabilities as well as a much improved TIM between the CPU and the heat spreader, which accounts for 6C lower temps from idle to full load. Now, is it worth upgrading from a 4770K to a 4790K? NO

 

[Ninjawithagun]

My 2600k has been running at 4.5Ghz stable for 3 years... I still don't see any need to upgrade.

You are correct. There is no need to upgrade until Skylake is released later next year.

 

[fwupow]

It's time for a game-changing new technology, because I'm just not seeing any compelling reason to build a new system for a few years now.

 

[photonboy]

It's time for a game-changing new technology, because I'm just not seeing any compelling reason to build a new system for a few years now.

Isn't that a good thing as well?

There is game-changing technology happening, but it's primarily in the SOFTWARE area such as DX12 and Mantle. The ability to use more of our existing CPU's processing power is awesome. Personally, I plan to keep my existing i7-3770K and then upgrade only my graphics card in two yours or so to a GTX980 4GB or whatever.

Intel did a great job with the Devil's Canyon Haswell refresh. Should you upgrade to that from a recent Intel CPU? Not likely.

Should you be happy that your recent Intel CPU is good enough probably for a long time? Yes!

 

[guitarzan007]

I'm trying to find a good motherboard to go with this processor. I mainly do video editing, animation and music production. I don't do gaming at all.Any recommendations? I'm not planning to overclock at all. Also, if I don't overclock, will I be alright with the included heat sync and fan. Thanks!

 

[Wisecracker]

You should wait a few months for Haswell-EP, and eyeball what's new for LGA 2011. You may be hit by new tech sticker shock, but an expandable DDR4 workstation platform is your best path forward.

 

[farmfowls]

Will the i7-4790k overheat with this setup? Especially in the H440?
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/kfg6NG

 

[photonboy]

Will the i7-4790k overheat with this setup? Especially in the H440?
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/kfg6NG

NO.
I would recommend using the Noctua NH-U14S instead. It will be cheaper, and quieter both under idle and load. No pump noise or failures to deal with either.

Liquid coolers are only needed when you're pushing the limits of overclocking, and for the i7-4790K I simply recommend the XMP setting of 4.4GHz.

Let's say you push the CPU to 4.8GHz instead of 4.4GHz... to do that you will have disabled the Intel Power Management optimal settings and will push out a LOT more heat. It probably will go up about 20degC or so under load. Thus the fans will be a lot louder.

*That gains you a theoretical 9% increase in performance (4.8/4.4) which is likely 0% for gaming and maybe 4% time savings for converting video since you rarely use all threads fully such as the first pass.

**FYI, I disabled every fan in my dad's PC and the heatsink alone of the Noctua NH-U12S was enough to run the i5-4670K at 4.2GHz and not overheat whilst doing Prime95 stress test. Wow! (No graphics card).

In normal mode ONLY the Noctua fan is running in his system since it turned out he didn't need another fan. In idle the fan is dead silent at 300RPM and it's barely audible under load in a silent room.

 

[farmfowls]

Will the i7-4790k overheat with this setup? Especially in the H440?
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/kfg6NG

NO.
I would recommend using the Noctua NH-U14S instead. It will be cheaper, and quieter both under idle and load. No pump noise or failures to deal with either.

Liquid coolers are only needed when you're pushing the limits of overclocking, and for the i7-4790K I simply recommend the XMP setting of 4.4GHz.

Let's say you push the CPU to 4.8GHz instead of 4.4GHz... to do that you will have disabled the Intel Power Management optimal settings and will push out a LOT more heat. It probably will go up about 20degC or so under load. Thus the fans will be a lot louder.

*That gains you a theoretical 9% increase in performance (4.8/4.4) which is likely 0% for gaming and maybe 4% time savings for converting video since you rarely use all threads fully such as the first pass.

**FYI, I disabled every fan in my dad's PC and the heatsink alone of the Noctua NH-U12S was enough to run the i5-4670K at 4.2GHz and not overheat whilst doing Prime95 stress test. Wow! (No graphics card).

In normal mode ONLY the Noctua fan is running in his system since it turned out he didn't need another fan. In idle the fan is dead silent at 300RPM and it's barely audible under load in a silent room.

So I shouldn't switch cases?

 

[SessouXFX]

Will the i7-4790k overheat with this setup? Especially in the H440?
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/kfg6NG

NO.
I would recommend using the Noctua NH-U14S instead. It will be cheaper, and quieter both under idle and load. No pump noise or failures to deal with either.

Liquid coolers are only needed when you're pushing the limits of overclocking, and for the i7-4790K I simply recommend the XMP setting of 4.4GHz.

Let's say you push the CPU to 4.8GHz instead of 4.4GHz... to do that you will have disabled the Intel Power Management optimal settings and will push out a LOT more heat. It probably will go up about 20degC or so under load. Thus the fans will be a lot louder.

*That gains you a theoretical 9% increase in performance (4.8/4.4) which is likely 0% for gaming and maybe 4% time savings for converting video since you rarely use all threads fully such as the first pass.

**FYI, I disabled every fan in my dad's PC and the heatsink alone of the Noctua NH-U12S was enough to run the i5-4670K at 4.2GHz and not overheat whilst doing Prime95 stress test. Wow! (No graphics card).

In normal mode ONLY the Noctua fan is running in his system since it turned out he didn't need another fan. In idle the fan is dead silent at 300RPM and it's barely audible under load in a silent room.

So I shouldn't switch cases?

What's wrong with the case? It's made for silent builds, right?

 

[farmfowls]

Will the i7-4790k overheat with this setup? Especially in the H440?
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/kfg6NG

NO.
I would recommend using the Noctua NH-U14S instead. It will be cheaper, and quieter both under idle and load. No pump noise or failures to deal with either.

Liquid coolers are only needed when you're pushing the limits of overclocking, and for the i7-4790K I simply recommend the XMP setting of 4.4GHz.

Let's say you push the CPU to 4.8GHz instead of 4.4GHz... to do that you will have disabled the Intel Power Management optimal settings and will push out a LOT more heat. It probably will go up about 20degC or so under load. Thus the fans will be a lot louder.

*That gains you a theoretical 9% increase in performance (4.8/4.4) which is likely 0% for gaming and maybe 4% time savings for converting video since you rarely use all threads fully such as the first pass.

**FYI, I disabled every fan in my dad's PC and the heatsink alone of the Noctua NH-U12S was enough to run the i5-4670K at 4.2GHz and not overheat whilst doing Prime95 stress test. Wow! (No graphics card).

In normal mode ONLY the Noctua fan is running in his system since it turned out he didn't need another fan. In idle the fan is dead silent at 300RPM and it's barely audible under load in a silent room.

So I shouldn't switch cases?

What's wrong with the case? It's made for silent builds, right?

It is, but now I am worried about cooling.

 

[farmfowls]

Will the i7-4790k overheat with this setup? Especially in the H440?
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/kfg6NG

NO.
I would recommend using the Noctua NH-U14S instead. It will be cheaper, and quieter both under idle and load. No pump noise or failures to deal with either.

Liquid coolers are only needed when you're pushing the limits of overclocking, and for the i7-4790K I simply recommend the XMP setting of 4.4GHz.

Let's say you push the CPU to 4.8GHz instead of 4.4GHz... to do that you will have disabled the Intel Power Management optimal settings and will push out a LOT more heat. It probably will go up about 20degC or so under load. Thus the fans will be a lot louder.

*That gains you a theoretical 9% increase in performance (4.8/4.4) which is likely 0% for gaming and maybe 4% time savings for converting video since you rarely use all threads fully such as the first pass.

**FYI, I disabled every fan in my dad's PC and the heatsink alone of the Noctua NH-U12S was enough to run the i5-4670K at 4.2GHz and not overheat whilst doing Prime95 stress test. Wow! (No graphics card).

In normal mode ONLY the Noctua fan is running in his system since it turned out he didn't need another fan. In idle the fan is dead silent at 300RPM and it's barely audible under load in a silent room.

And do you mean no to the case or no it won't overheat?