CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4670K vs Intel Core i5-4690K
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4670K debuted as the flagship unlocked quad-core processor of the initial Haswell architecture rollout in June 2013. Designed for the LGA 1150 socket, it targeted mainstream enthusiasts who wanted overclocking capabilities without paying the premium for Core i7.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Sufficient for basic office work, but the lack of Hyper-Threading means multi-threaded productivity workloads complete much slower than on modern CPUs.
Sufficient for light office work and basic multitasking, but the absence of Hyper-Threading means multi-threaded productivity workloads complete noticeably slower than on contemporary i7 or modern processors.
Gaming
Adequate for older or esports titles at 1080p, but struggles significantly with modern CPU-demanding games due to having only four threads.
Adequate for older and esports titles at 1080p, but struggles with modern CPU-demanding games that utilize more than four threads, leading to stuttering and frame drops.
Virtualization
Four threads are a hard constraint for virtualization, and the lack of VT-d on this K-series part limits IOMMU passthrough capabilities.
Four threads are a hard constraint for running multiple virtual machines simultaneously; VT-x is supported but VT-d is not available on this K-series part, limiting IOMMU passthrough options.
Efficiency
The 22nm Haswell architecture draws notably more power under load than modern alternatives, and temperatures spike easily due to the internal thermal paste.
The 22nm Haswell architecture draws notably more power under load than modern alternatives, and the 88W TDP can exceed 120W when overclocked.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 supported but performance is vastly inferior to modern NPUs
- Not suitable for AI/ML training or inference workloads
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 supported but performance is far below modern NPUs
- Not suitable for any meaningful AI/ML training or inference workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Performs well in older DirectX 11 titles
- Lacks Hyper-Threading, causing stuttering in modern games
- Overclocking requires delidding to achieve safe temperatures
- Best paired with mid-range GPUs of its era, like the GTX 970
- Performs well in older DirectX 11 titles and esports games like CS:GO
- Lacks Hyper-Threading, causing frame-time inconsistencies in modern titles
- Overclocking to 4.4-4.6 GHz can improve minimum frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios
- Paired with a mid-range GPU like GTX 1060 or RX 580, it remains a balanced pairing for 1080p
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Unlocked multiplier for frequency tuning
- Solid 1080p gaming performance with mid-range GPUs for its era
- Wide availability on the used market at very low prices
- Supports AVX2 and FMA3 instruction sets
- Includes Intel HD 4600 for basic display output without a discrete GPU
Cons
- Notorious for high temperatures under load due to internal thermal paste
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded performance
- 84W TDP is relatively high for a quad-core without HT
- LGA 1150 platform is end-of-life with no upgrade path
- Does not support VT-d for PCIe device passthrough
- Delidding required for serious overclocking headroom
Pros
- Improved thermal interface over i5-4670K for better overclocking
- Unlocked multiplier allows easy frequency tuning
- Solid 1080p gaming performance with mid-range GPUs for its era
- Widely available on the used market at low prices
- Broad motherboard compatibility with Z87 and Z97 chipsets
- Includes Intel HD 4600 for basic display output without a discrete GPU
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded performance
- 88W TDP is relatively high for a quad-core without HT
- 22nm process is far less efficient than modern nodes
- LGA 1150 platform is end-of-life with no upgrade path
- DDR3 memory is obsolete and limits bandwidth
- Only 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes from CPU
- Does not support VT-d (IOMMU) for PCIe device passthrough
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4670K
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570KRival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4770KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
APU Desktop
The Devil's Canyon successor features improved thermal interface material for better temperatures and overclocking.
Compare head-to-headAdds Hyper-Threading for 8 threads, ideal as a drop-in upgrade for LGA 1150 users needing more multi-threaded headroom.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Six cores, twelve threads on a modern platform with DDR4, NVMe support, and significantly better performance per dollar.
Six cores, twelve threads at a similar used price point with a much more modern platform and better multi-threading.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Vastly superior single-threaded and multi-threaded performance with excellent value on the AM4 platform.
Intel Core i5-4690K
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD FX-8370Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4790KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4670KRival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Six cores, twelve threads on a modern platform with DDR4, NVMe support, and significantly better performance per dollar in 2024 and beyond.
Six cores, twelve threads at a similar used price point with a much more modern platform and dramatically better multi-threaded performance.
Compare head-to-headThe direct successor on LGA 1151 with Skylake architecture, offering slightly better IPC and DDR4 support, though still limited to four threads.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Vastly superior single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, modern platform features, and excellent value on AM4 for budget builders starting fresh.
Our Verdict on Each
The i5-4670K was a capable quad-core in its day, but its notorious thermal issues under the IHS severely limited overclocking headroom, making it a historical footnote compared to the refreshed 4690K.
Best for: Repairing an existing LGA 1150 system where a motherboard swap is impractical and delidding is not a concern.
Read the full reviewThe i5-4690K was the go-to unlocked quad-core for gamers on a budget during the Haswell era. Its Devil's Canyon thermal improvements made it a better overclocker than the i5-4670K, but the lack of Hyper-Threading limits its relevance for modern multi-threaded workloads.
Best for: Repairing or upgrading an existing LGA 1150 system where a motherboard swap is impractical, and overclocking is desired.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4670K or Intel Core i5-4690K?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4690K comes out ahead with a score of 7.2/10. 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 i5-4670K or Intel Core i5-4690K?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4690K leads with a gaming performance score of 62/100 among Intel Core i5-4670K and Intel Core i5-4690K.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-4670K has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4670K (84 W), Intel Core i5-4690K (88 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4670K and Intel Core i5-4690K 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 i5-4690K posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4670K (4,900), Intel Core i5-4690K (5,190). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.