CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4570S vs Intel Core i5-4690S
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4570S is a quad-core desktop processor introduced in June 2013 as part of the Haswell generation. Designed with a 65-watt TDP, the 'S' suffix indicates its focus on power efficiency without sacrificing too much performance. Operating at a base frequency of 2.9 GHz and boosting up to 3.6 GHz, it provided a balanced approach for both everyday tasks and moderate workloads. Built on Intel's 22nm process, it packs 1.4 billion transistors into a 177 mm² die. This processor was a favorite for small form factor builds and home theater PCs (HTPCs) where heat dissipation was a priority. It features Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, capable of handling 4K video playback and older games at low settings. With 6MB of L3 cache, it delivered snappy application responsiveness. While obsolete by today's standards, it was a highly regarded efficiency chip during its prime.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy for basic tasks, 6MB cache helps responsiveness.
Snappy for everyday office tasks and web browsing. Prolonged multi-threaded workloads will run slightly slower than the 84W models due to lower base clocks and power limits.
Gaming
Handles older games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Single-core performance is strong due to the 3.9 GHz turbo, matching the 4690K in lightly threaded games. Sustained multi-core loads will drop clocks to maintain the 65W envelope.
Virtualization
Can run basic VMs but limited by 4 threads.
VT-d support is excellent for basic homelabs, but the 4-core/4-thread limit and power-constrained turbo behavior restrict heavy virtualization workloads.
Efficiency
Excellent power-to-performance ratio for its generation.
A clear step up in efficiency over the 84W Haswell parts, generating less heat and allowing for near-silent operation at stock settings.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Lacks modern AI instruction sets
- Not suitable for AI workloads
- No AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 performance is throttled by the 65W power limit
- Not recommended for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Needs a dedicated GPU for 3D gaming
- Suitable for e-sports titles from the 2010s
- Will bottleneck any GPU newer than a GTX 1060
- 3.9 GHz turbo ensures high single-core burst performance
- 65W limit may cause clock drops in CPU-heavy open-world games
- Excellent for 60 FPS 1080p gaming with appropriate GPUs
- Low heat output benefits compact ITX cases
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Low 65W TDP ideal for SFF builds
- Strong single-core performance for its era
- Includes HD 4600 graphics
- Supports VT-d for virtualization
- 6MB L3 cache improves multitasking
Cons
- Uses obsolete DDR3 memory
- Locked multiplier
- No official Windows 11 support
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Lacks modern I/O like USB 3.1 Gen 2
Pros
- 65W TDP runs cool and quiet
- 3.9 GHz turbo boost provides strong single-core speed
- Includes VT-d and vPro for enterprise/homelab use
- Excellent for small form factor and HTPC builds
- Lower power consumption saves on electricity over time
Cons
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- 3.2 GHz base clock limits sustained multi-threaded performance
- Only supports DDR3 memory
- LGA 1150 platform is end-of-life
- TSX-NI disabled via microcode due to errata
- Harder to find than standard 84W models
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4570S
- AMD FX-8320ERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570Rival
Standard Desktop
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Intel Core i5-4440Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
High-End APU
Unlocked variant for overclocking.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i7-4770SAlt
Efficient hyper-threaded alternative for more threads.
Slightly newer Haswell Refresh with better clocks.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 1500XAlt
Modern budget alternative with SMT.
Much newer budget alternative with 6 cores.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-4690S
- AMD FX-8320ERival
Low-Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570SRival
Low-Power Desktop
- AMD A10-7800Rival
APU Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4690TRival
Ultra-Low-Power Desktop
- Intel Core i7-4790SRival
Low-Power Desktop
Choose the standard 84W version if your case has adequate cooling and you need higher sustained multi-core clocks.
Compare head-to-headChoose this if you want the ability to overclock and are not constrained by thermals.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GEAlt
A modern low-power alternative with 6 cores, 12 threads, and vastly better efficiency for a new build.
- Intel Core i5-12400TAlt
A modern 35W/65W alternative that obliterates this CPU in performance while using a fraction of the power.
Our Verdict on Each
A great efficiency-focused CPU for its time, still viable for basic legacy systems but not for modern workloads.
Best for: Drop-in upgrade for older LGA 1150 office PCs.
Read the full reviewThe i5-4690S is a smart choice for compact systems, offering a 65W TDP without heavily sacrificing single-core performance thanks to a 3.9 GHz turbo boost, making it a versatile chip for its era.
Best for: Upgrading an older compact PC, HTPC, or ITX system where heat and noise are primary concerns and an LGA 1150 motherboard is already present.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4570S or Intel Core i5-4690S?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4690S comes out ahead with a score of 7/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-4570S or Intel Core i5-4690S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4690S leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i5-4570S and Intel Core i5-4690S.
Do Intel Core i5-4570S and Intel Core i5-4690S use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1150 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-4690S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4570S (3,600), Intel Core i5-4690S (4,850). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.