CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4670S vs Intel Core i5-4690S
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4670S, launched in June 2013, is a quad-core desktop processor designed for users who need strong performance within a constrained thermal envelope. As part of the Haswell generation, it features a 65-watt TDP, making it significantly more power-efficient than the standard 84-watt i5-4670. Operating at a base frequency of 3.1 GHz and turbo boosting up to 3.8 GHz, it delivers snappy single-threaded performance suitable for gaming and demanding applications. Built on a 22nm process, it houses 1.4 billion transistors and 6MB of L3 cache. The inclusion of Intel HD 4600 graphics ensures smooth 4K video playback and basic gaming capabilities. This processor was highly sought after for small form factor builds and home theater PCs where heat and noise reduction were priorities. It remains a capable chip for legacy systems and budget gaming setups.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Fast single-core speeds keep legacy apps feeling snappy.
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
Good for older games; will bottleneck modern GPUs in CPU-heavy titles.
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
Limited to light VMs due to 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
Outstanding efficiency, hitting 3.8 GHz on just 65W.
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 hardware
- Slow for modern AI workloads
- No AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 performance is throttled by the 65W power limit
- Not recommended for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Pairs well with GTX 1050 Ti or RX 570
- Can handle CS:GO and Dota 2 easily
- Will struggle with modern CPU-bound games like Cyberpunk 2077
- 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
- High 3.8 GHz turbo boost for single-core tasks
- Low 65W TDP
- Good for retro and e-sports gaming
- Supports vPro and TXT
- Reliable Haswell architecture
Cons
- Obsolete DDR3 platform
- Locked multiplier
- No Windows 11 support
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Limited to 4 threads
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 i5-4670S
- AMD FX-8350Rival
High-End Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570Rival
Standard Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4670KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- AMD FX-6300Rival
Budget Desktop
- Intel Core i7-4770SRival
Low Power Desktop
Newer Haswell Refresh with slightly higher clocks.
Compare head-to-headHyper-threaded alternative for more threads.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 1300XAlt
Modern budget quad-core alternative.
Modern budget alternative.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Alt
Modern budget hexa-core alternative.
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 fastest 'S' series Haswell i5 at launch, offering excellent single-core performance with 65W efficiency.
Best for: Drop-in upgrade for older LGA 1150 systems.
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 i5-4670S or Intel Core i5-4690S?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4670S 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 i5-4670S or Intel Core i5-4690S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4690S leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i5-4670S and Intel Core i5-4690S.
Do Intel Core i5-4670S 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 i5-4670S (3,900), Intel Core i5-4690S (4,850). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.