Building a gaming PC is all about creating a machine that can handle the latest games with smooth performance and stunning visuals. However, some companies cut corners by using outdated parts, like the Intel Core i7-4790 processor, which was released in 2014. This article explains why using this old processor as an example in a PC is a bad idea, in simple terms that anyone can understand. We’ll cover why it’s outdated, how it performs compared to modern processors, its lack of new technology, and how it affects gamers.
What is a Processor and Why Does It Matter?
The processor, or CPU (Central Processing Unit), is like the brain of your computer. It does all the calculations needed to run games, from moving characters on the screen to loading new levels. A good processor makes games run smoothly, look great, and load quickly. A bad one can make games lag, stutter, or even crash. For gaming, the processor is one of the most important parts, so choosing the right one is key.
The i7-4790 is VERY old
The Intel Core i7-4790 was released in May 2014, making it 11 years old by 2025 (Intel Core i7-4790 Specifications). In technology, 11 years is a long time. Back then, games were simpler, and computers didn’t need to be as powerful. Today’s games, like Starfield or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, are much more demanding. They’re designed to work with modern processors, which are faster and more efficient. Using a processor from 2014 is like trying to use a flip phone to play the latest mobile games—it’s just not up to the task.
Poor Performance Compared to Modern Processors
To understand how outdated the i7-4790 is, let’s compare it to a modern processor, the Intel Core i5-13600K, released in 2022 (Intel Core i5-13600K Specifications). Benchmarks, which are tests that measure how fast a processor is, show that the i5-13600K is about 420% faster than the i7-4790 (UserBenchmark: i5-13600K vs i7-4790; Technical.City: i5-13600K vs i7-4790). That means it’s over four times faster!
Here’s what that difference looks like in gaming:
- Frame Rates: Frame rate is how many images your computer shows per second. Higher frame rates make games feel smooth. The i5-13600K can achieve 60+ frames per second (FPS) in demanding games at 1080p resolution with high settings. The i7-4790 might struggle to reach 30 FPS, making games feel choppy.
- Gameplay Experience: With the i7-4790, you might notice lag or stuttering in fast-paced games, like first-person shooters. The i5-13600K keeps things smooth, even in intense moments.
This performance gap means the i7-4790 can’t handle modern games well, leading to a frustrating experience for gamers.
Performance Comparison Table
Here’s a table comparing the i7-4790 and i5-13600K to show the differences clearly:
|
Feature |
Intel Core i7-4790 |
Intel Core i5-13600K |
Why It Matters |
|
Release Year |
2014 |
2022 |
Newer processors are designed for today’s games. |
|
Cores/Threads |
4 cores, 8 threads |
14 cores, 20 threads |
More cores and threads mean better performance in games and multitasking. |
|
Speed (Base/Turbo) |
3.6 GHz / 4.0 GHz |
3.5 GHz / 5.1 GHz |
Higher speeds help games run faster and smoother. |
|
Performance (Benchmarks) |
Baseline |
420% faster |
The i5-13600K is over four times faster, making games much smoother (Technical.City). |
|
Power Use |
84W |
125W |
The i7-4790 uses less power but gives much worse performance. |
Missing Modern Technology
The i7-4790 doesn’t support the latest technologies that modern gaming PCs need. Here are two key areas where it falls short:
- Memory: The i7-4790 uses DDR3 memory, which is slower and older. Modern processors like the i5-13600K support DDR5 memory, which is like a super-fast highway for data, letting games load and run quicker (Intel Core i7-4790 Specifications; Intel Core i5-13600K Specifications).
- Connections: The i7-4790 uses PCIe 3.0 to connect to parts like the graphics card. Newer processors use PCIe 5.0, which is faster, like a high-speed internet connection compared to dial-up. This helps the processor work better with modern graphics cards for improved gaming performance.
Using an old processor is like trying to run a marathon in worn-out shoes. Even if the rest of your PC is great, the processor will hold everything back.
Inefficiency
The i7-4790 uses 84 watts of power, while the i5-13600K uses 125 watts. At first glance, the i7-4790 seems more efficient, but it’s not. Because it’s so much slower, it has to work harder to run games, which can make it less efficient overall. Modern processors get more done with the power they use, making them a better choice for gaming PCs.
Compatibility Problems
The i7-4790 uses an old socket (LGA 1150), which doesn’t work with modern motherboards that use newer sockets like LGA 1700 (Intel Core i7-4790 Specifications). It also only supports DDR3 memory, while most new PCs use DDR4 or DDR5. This means building a PC with the i7-4790 requires older, harder-to-find parts, which can limit upgrades and make repairs more difficult.
Disappointing Gamers
Gamers in 2025 expect their PCs to run the latest games at high resolutions, like 1440p or 4K, with smooth frame rates (60 FPS or higher). The i7-4790 can’t keep up with these demands. For example, in a game like Baldur’s Gate 3, the i7-4790 might cause long loading times and stuttering, while a modern processor like the i5-13600K would make the game run smoothly. This gap can leave gamers feeling cheated, especially if they paid for a “gaming PC” expecting top performance.
Poor Value for Money
The i7-4790 might be cheaper than modern processors due to its age, but it’s not a good deal. You will still be asked to pay a price that is in the region of a PlayStation 5 just to have one these processors in your computer but doesn’t deliver the gaming performance you expected.
Lack Of Trust
Some companies and online marketplaces that use old processors like the i7-4790 or similar risk looking like they’re cutting corners. End users expect quality and performance, and selling PCs with outdated parts can lead to unhappy gamers. It’s like a restaurant serving stale food—customers won’t come back. In the competitive gaming PC market, these companies and marketplaces need to stop tricking unsuspecting customers into buying obsolete tech.
What do I look for?
Look at the listing of the computer that is being advertised to you. You may see something like i7 4th gen or they may actually put the model number in Intel i5-4590. The first number of the model is the generation so for example: 4590 indicates 4th generation. At the time of writing this article (May 2025) you need to be ideally looking for 12th generation and upwards.
You will see in the listings on our website that the model is clearly listed:
Conclusion
Using something like the Intel Core i7-4790 or similar in gaming PCs in 2025 is bad practice because the processor is too old, too slow, and struggles to support newer software. You will find it’s harder to upgrade the parts in the computer due to incompatibility.
Some of these companies and marketplaces may justify themselves and lead you to believe you are helping save the planet by reusing old tech but in reality, much of the tech they sell needs to be recycled (or put in a museum J ) but certainly not resold. The tech they peddle can’t deliver the smooth, high-quality gaming experience that gamers expect, and it makes them look untrustworthy.
That isn’t to say some older tech doesn’t serve a purpose, we have our own range of standard refurbished laptops and computers. As using a slightly older model laptop or desktop computer will work for light office use for example. You may even see ourselves have an older model gaming computer in stock but that will highly likely be a trade in and a one-off product. The difference is we won’t be overselling you these products by making outlandish claims about their performance.
Don’t end up with an expensive paperweight for a computer. Speak to us today and see how we can help you navigate your way to a new gaming computer that performs to suit you.
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