CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4670K vs Intel Core i5-4690S
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.
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
Adequate for older or esports titles at 1080p, but struggles significantly with modern CPU-demanding games due to having only four threads.
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
Four threads are a hard constraint for virtualization, and the lack of VT-d on this K-series part limits IOMMU passthrough capabilities.
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
The 22nm Haswell architecture draws notably more power under load than modern alternatives, and temperatures spike easily due to the internal thermal paste.
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
- 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 AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 performance is throttled by the 65W power limit
- Not recommended for AI 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 i5-4670K
- 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 i5-4690S
- 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
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 i5-4690S 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 i5-4670K 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 uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-4690S has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4670K (84 W), Intel Core i5-4690S (65 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4670K 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 i5-4670K posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4670K (4,900), Intel Core i5-4690S (4,850). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.