Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i7-4790K (Intel, 2014) and Core i5-8600 (Intel, 2018) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i7-4790K is about 4.3% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1150 / LGA1151), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i7-4790K | i5-8600 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 12,000 | 11,500 |
| Generation | 4th Gen | 8th Gen |
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1151 |
| Release Year | 2014 | 2018 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | Radeon RX 6600 | GeForce RTX 5050 |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i7-4790K |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i5-8600 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i7-4790K is about 4.3% higher by score (i7-4790K: 12000 points / i5-8600: 11500 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
i7-4790K is 4th Gen, while i5-8600 is 8th Gen.The sockets differ (LGA1150 / LGA1151), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, Radeon RX 6600 pairs well with i7-4790K and GeForce RTX 5050 pairs well with i5-8600. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
