Intel Core i7-4790S vs AMD Phenom II X2 521

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-4790S or Intel Core i7-4790S – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-4790S features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2014 and belongs to the 4 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-4790S, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1150 socket.
The AMD Phenom II X2 521 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 2 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2011 and belongs to the 1 generation of the AMD Phenom II series.
To use the AMD Phenom II X2 521, you'll need a motherboard with a AM3 socket.
Intel Core i7 Family AMD Phenom II
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
4 Generation 1
Intel Core i7-4790S Name AMD Phenom II X2 521
Intel Core i 4000 Group AMD Phenom II - 500
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-4790S has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-4790S is 3.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.0 GHz.
The AMD Phenom II X2 521 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 2 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Phenom II X2 521 is 3.5 GHz
4.0 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
4x Cores 2x
8 Threads 2
4 CPU Cores 2
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading No
No Overclocking Yes
3.2 GHz Frequency 3.5 GHz
3.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-4790S has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-4790S uses the Intel HD Graphics 4600, which has 160 texture shaders
and 20 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The AMD Phenom II X2 521 does not have integrated graphics.
20 Execution units --
7.5 Generation --
11.1 Direct X --
160 Shaders --
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
0.35 GHz GPU frequency --
22 nm Technology --
Q2/2013 Release date --
-- Max. displays --
1.2 GHz GPU (Turbo) --
Intel HD Graphics 4600 GPU name
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode / Encode AVC --
No VP8 --
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
Decode / Encode h264 --
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
No VP9 --
Decode JPEG --
Decode VC-1 --
No AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
32.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
No ECC No
Yes AES-NI No
2 Memory channels 2
pci PCIe pci
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth --
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3-1333, DDR2-1066
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 65 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
-- Tjunction max --
65 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 65 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-4790S is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Phenom II X2 521 is manufactured using a 45 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 2.0 MB cache.
8.0 MB L3-Cache 2.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE3, SSE4a
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
275 $ Release price 35 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
Q2/2014 Release date Q2/2011
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization AMD-V
-- Part Number --
Haswell S Architecture Regor (K10)
22 nm Technology 45 nm
LGA 1150 Socket AM3
Monolithic Chip design --
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4790S
4C 8T @ 3.2 GHz
13905
13905
AMD Phenom II X2 521
2C 2T @ 3.5 GHz
3480
3480

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-4790S
4C 8T @ 3.2 GHz
3911
3911
AMD Phenom II X2 521
2C 2T @ 3.5 GHz
1888
1888

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-4790S
4C 8T @ 3.2 GHz
671
671
AMD Phenom II X2 521
2C 2T @ 3.5 GHz
177
177