So, there you have it. In our twenty-two tests, the Intel Core i7-4790 came out on top in just five of those tests; that is, compared to the Intel Core i7-4770K. I have seen some reviews state that the i7-4790 is faster, if only barely, so what is going on? The answer in and of itself contains all the reasons anyone focusing on top-level performance really needs to justify spending an additional $50 or more for an unlocked chip.

Looking at the big picture, the numbers offered here show why paying a bit more for a fancy motherboard when you are a normal user without a clue once it comes time to overclock is a good idea. You get many features with such boards, and with a multitude of board options out there on the market today, getting exactly what you want in the color you want should be an easy undertaking. Buy the right motherboard and a "K"-level CPU from Intel and there is a good chance the board maker has pre-tuned the BIOS for you to ensure that you get some value right out of the box for those additional $50 you spent on an unlocked CPU.

Focusing a bit more on the Intel Core i7-4790, the CPU does offer pretty good performance to users who simply plug their CPU into their board and enable XMP for that fancy memory kit they just bought as part of a packaged deal. Beyond that, you do get a CPU that is capable of beating an Intel Core i7-3960X in some instances, even if its superior performance boils down to its raw clock-speed advantage, and it should be able to meet most of your daily needs, including gaming. Meanwhile, if you want the absolute best, waiting for the fabled and upcoming Devil's Canyon CPU or buying the already available Intel Core i7-4770K would obviously be the best idea. At the same time, the Intel Core i7-4790 proves itself a very capable chip for even gaming, which keeps the idea that you do not have to spend a ton of money to get decent performance alive. You can simply spend a portion of that sum.