Intel Core i7-4790K socket: LGA 1150
The Intel Core i7-4790K uses the LGA 1150 socket. It works natively on 9 series motherboards, and on 8 series boards after a BIOS update.
- Socket
- LGA 1150
- Launched
- June 2014
- Cores and threads
- 4 and 8
- Base power
- 88 W
- Codename
- Haswell Refresh
- Segment
- Desktop
- Family
- Intel Core i7
- Clocks
- 4.0 / 4.4 GHz
Intel Core i7-4790K specifications
| Cores | 4 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 8 |
| Clocks | 4.0 GHz base, up to 4.4 GHz turbo |
| Cache | 8 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 88 W |
| Manufacturing process | 22 nm |
| Memory support | DDR3 and DDR3L at 1333 and 1600 MT/s, two channels, up to 32 GB |
| PCI Express | 16 lanes from the CPU, PCIe 3.0 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel HD Graphics 4600 |
| Multiplier | Unlocked (K series) |
| Package | FCLGA1150 |
| Launch price | $339 (tray), Intel recommended customer price |
Motherboard and chipset compatibility
Intel Core i7-4790K needs a motherboard with a LGA 1150 socket. The table shows which chipset series accept it.
| Series | Chipsets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 9 series | Z97, H97 | Works out of the box |
| 8 series | Z87, H87, Q87, Q85, B85, H81 | Needs a BIOS update May need a BIOS update before the processor is installed. Check the board maker's CPU support list. |
Board makers publish a CPU support list for every model. Check it for your exact board before buying. Chipset details for LGA 1150.
Recommended GPU pairing
| Recommended tier | High-end 1080p (2014 era) |
|---|---|
| Example GPUs | GeForce GTX 970, Radeon R9 290 |
| Target resolution | 1080p high settings |
Four Haswell cores with eight threads at up to 4.4 GHz, 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes and DDR3 fit high-end 1080p cards from 2014. The GTX 970 from September 2014 and the R9 290 from November 2013 match that class, and both were current around this June 2014 launch.
This is a rough match for a new build at the stated resolution, not a limit. A faster card still works and helps at higher resolutions or in games that load the GPU more than the CPU. A slower card is fine for lighter games and office use. The exact balance shifts with the game, the settings and the resolution, so no percentage is given.
LGA 1150 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 1,150 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 37.5 × 37.5 mm |
| Introduced | June 2013 |
| Memory | DDR3 and DDR3L |
| Cooler mounting holes | 75 × 75 mm |
What the Core i7-4790K is
The Core i7-4790K is a four core, eight thread processor released in June 2014 as part of the Haswell Refresh. Intel gave it the nickname Devil's Canyon. It is the top unlocked model of the 4th Gen desktop line.
It runs at 4.0 GHz base and boosts a single core to 4.4 GHz, which was a high base clock for its time. The 8 MB L3 cache is shared by all cores. Intel rates the chip at 88 W, and it uses a 22 nm manufacturing process. The integrated graphics are Intel HD Graphics 4600, so the chip can drive a display without a graphics card.
Devil's Canyon refers to changes in the package rather than the cores. Intel changed the thermal interface material under the heat spreader and added capacitors to the underside of the package, and the aim was to lower temperatures and help overclocking. The processor design is the same Haswell core that the 2013 chips used.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The Core i7-4790K goes into an LGA 1150 socket. Boards with 9 series chipsets (Z97 and H97) were launched alongside it, so they accept it out of the box. Boards with 8 series chipsets (Z87, H87, Q87, Q85, B85 and H81) can run it as well, but may need a BIOS update first.
The 8 series route is the one to check. The update has to be installed before the 4790K goes into the board, and a board that has only ever seen a 2013 BIOS will not start with the new processor. Look up the exact board on the maker's CPU support page and note the minimum BIOS version.
To use the unlocked multiplier you need a Z87 or Z97 board. H87, H97 and the other chipsets run the processor at its rated speeds. Processors for LGA 1155 and LGA 1151 do not fit the socket.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
The memory controller supports DDR3 and low voltage DDR3L at 1333 and 1600 MT/s, across two channels, with a ceiling of 32 GB. There is no DDR4 support on this platform, so a move to DDR4 means a new board and new memory. Faster DDR3 kits work through XMP profiles.
The processor provides 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes for the graphics card. Extra lanes for storage and other devices come from the chipset, and the amount depends on the board.
The 75 mm mounting holes are shared with LGA 1155, 1151 and 1200, so a cooler from one of those platforms generally fits. The 88 W rating is modest compared with current flagships, and a medium size tower cooler is enough. Note that K-series chips do not come with a cooler. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide lists the mounting patterns.
Upgrade paths
Within the socket there is little left to buy. The 4790K is the top unlocked 4th Gen model, and only the 5th Gen Broadwell desktop chips come later, with board support that varies. For a bigger step, LGA 1151 was Intel's next socket and added DDR4, but it needs a new board and its processors do not fit LGA 1150.
A recent platform would mean LGA 1700 with a chip like the Intel Core i5-12400F, which has more cores, a much newer design and support for DDR5 on some boards.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core i7-4790K use?
It uses LGA 1150, written FCLGA1150 in Intel's documents.
Does the i7-4790K work on a Z87 motherboard?
Yes, after a BIOS update that adds support for it. Without the update the board may not start.
Does the i7-4790K work on a Z97 motherboard?
Yes. Z97 boards were launched alongside this processor.
Does the i7-4790K support DDR4?
No. It supports DDR3 and DDR3L only.
Does the i7-4790K come with a cooler?
No. Intel does not bundle a cooler with K-series processors.
Sources and verification
- Intel Core i7-4790K specifications (Intel)
- Intel Core i7-4790K ordering information (Intel)
- LGA 1150 on Wikipedia
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .