CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4670K vs Intel Core i7-4770K
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.
Okay for basic tasks, but slow for modern rendering.
Gaming
Adequate for older or esports titles at 1080p, but struggles significantly with modern CPU-demanding games due to having only four threads.
Bottlenecks modern GPUs significantly.
Virtualization
Four threads are a hard constraint for virtualization, and the lack of VT-d on this K-series part limits IOMMU passthrough capabilities.
Limited by 4 cores.
Efficiency
The 22nm Haswell architecture draws notably more power under load than modern alternatives, and temperatures spike easily due to the internal thermal paste.
84W TDP is inefficient by modern standards.
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
- Slow CPU inference
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
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Okay for older games
- Lacks modern security features
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
- Unlocked for overclocking
- Was a top gaming CPU in 2013
- Supports AVX2
- 4 cores with Hyper-Threading
Cons
- Infamous for poor thermal paste
- Runs hot under load
- No Windows 11 support
- End-of-life platform
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 i7-4770K
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-9370Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3770KRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4670KRival
Desktop
- AMD FX-8320Rival
Desktop
The 'Devil's Canyon' refresh with better thermals and higher clocks.
Compare head-to-headModern budget CPU that destroys it in performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Modern budget alternative with 6 cores.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
Best value modern gaming CPU.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500Alt
Cheap and highly capable.
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 reviewA legendary overclocking CPU that brought great performance, but its thermal issues and age make it obsolete today.
Best for: The Core i7-4770K is a legendary processor that should only be considered today if you are maintaining an existing LGA 1150 system. It still offers decent performance for basic computing and older games, and its unlocked multiplier allows for some overclocking fun if you have adequate cooling. However, it is not recommended for new builds. The lack of Windows 11 support, high power consumption, and outdated instruction sets make it a poor choice for modern workloads. If you are building a budget PC, modern processors like the Intel Core i3-12100F offer vastly superior performance, efficiency, and an upgrade path. Avoid buying this CPU unless it is nearly free and you need to keep an old system running.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-4670K or Intel Core i7-4770K?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4670K leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i5-4670K and Intel Core i7-4770K.
Do Intel Core i5-4670K and Intel Core i7-4770K use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4670K: LGA 1150, Intel Core i7-4770K: Intel Socket 1150), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
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). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.