CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4670K vs Intel Core i5-6600
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.
Fast single-core makes everyday tasks snappy, but multi-threaded work is slow.
Gaming
Adequate for older or esports titles at 1080p, but struggles significantly with modern CPU-demanding games due to having only four threads.
Good 1080p performance in older games, but severe stuttering in modern CPU-heavy titles.
Virtualization
Four threads are a hard constraint for virtualization, and the lack of VT-d on this K-series part limits IOMMU passthrough capabilities.
Inadequate for running multiple VMs due to 4 threads.
Efficiency
The 22nm Haswell architecture draws notably more power under load than modern alternatives, and temperatures spike easily due to the internal thermal paste.
65W TDP provides a great balance of performance and power draw.
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 hardware acceleration
- 4 threads are insufficient for modern 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 provides solid single-core grunt
- Lacks the threads for modern open-world games
- Will bottleneck mid-range modern GPUs at 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
- High 3.9 GHz single-core turbo
- Solid 3.6 GHz all-core turbo
- 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Included a decent stock cooler
Cons
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier
- End-of-life platform with no upgrade path
- Struggles in modern multi-threaded workloads
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 i5-6600
- AMD FX-8370Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-6600KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4690Rival
Previous Gen
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4790Rival
High-End Previous Gen
Modern budget king that obliterates the i5-6600 in single-core and multi-core.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
6 cores/12 threads, much better for gaming and productivity today.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
The direct modern equivalent with 12 threads and superior IPC.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Older generation but still vastly superior in multi-threaded tasks.
Cheap 6-core/12-thread option on the used market.
Compare head-to-head
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 i5-6600 was the ultimate locked gaming chip of 2015, boasting high boost clocks, though modern users will find its 4-thread design a major bottleneck.
Best for: The i5-6600 is a solid drop-in upgrade if you are currently running a Pentium or i3 on an LGA 1151 motherboard and can get this chip for dirt cheap. It offers a noticeable bump in single-core speed and cache over lower-tier Skylake chips, making your system feel much snappier for daily use and older games. It’s also a decent holdover chip if your main CPU died and you need a cheap replacement. However, buying this to build a new system is a mistake. Modern budget chips like the i3-12100F offer vastly superior single-thread and multi-thread performance, alongside modern platform features. Do not overspend on this legacy hardware; your money is better saved for a modern platform overhaul.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4670K or Intel Core i5-6600?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-6600 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 i5-6600?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-6600 leads with a gaming performance score of 60/100 among Intel Core i5-4670K and Intel Core i5-6600.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-6600 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4670K (84 W), Intel Core i5-6600 (65 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4670K and Intel Core i5-6600 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4670K: LGA 1150, Intel Core i5-6600: LGA 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-6600 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4670K (4,900), Intel Core i5-6600 (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.