Benchmark: i7-6700k vs i7-4790k vs i7-3770k vs i7

After our performance comparisons of the i7-6700k, i7-4790k, i7-3770k and i7-2600k processors in videogames together with a GeForce GTX Titan X it is time to see the difference in performance between them in much more performance-dependent scenarios of the processor itself. This time we are going to face the four generations of Intel processors in the CineBench 15, CineBench 11.5, x264 video encoding and 3DMark Phisics tests.

Once again we have obtained the data from DigitalFoundry:

As we can see the difference in performance between the Sandy Bridge and Skylake generation is much more bulky than in video game tests, which is logical since we are now talking about tests whose results depend entirely on the performance of the CPU.

This time we see that the minimum difference between an Intel Core i7 2600K and an Intel Core i7 6700K is 32% under CineBench 15 and the maximum difference is 50% under the x264 video encoding test. Some notable differences, but perhaps they know little considering that four years have passed between one processor and the other.

If we compare the Core i7 6700K processor with the generations after Sandy Bridge, we observe maximum performance differences of 10% compared to a Core i7 4790K and 30% over the Core i7 3770K. It is also mentioned that the difference between the Core i7 6700K and the Core i7 4770K is 10% in most cases. We would have liked to see a comparison with all the processors at the same operating frequency to be able to see the performance difference due to the improvement in the IPC of each architecture, however we should not forget that the ability to achieve higher operating frequencies while maintaining or even decreasing energy consumption is part of the benefits of each architecture and its associated manufacturing process.

Is it really worth it?

In summary, we can affirm that Intel has been improving approximately the 10% the performance of its processors to each generation, a very modest figure that means that several years must pass to obtain an appreciable improvement that compensates the investment of acquiring a new processor, a new motherboard and RAM in case of making the jump to Skylak e; and a high / mid-range motherboard without DDR3 support.