CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4670S vs Intel Core i5-4670
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.
The fastest locked Haswell i5 at launch, with 3.8 GHz turbo benefiting bursty office and development workloads.
Gaming
Good for older games; will bottleneck modern GPUs in CPU-heavy titles.
The 3.8 GHz turbo provides the best single-threaded performance among launch Haswell i5s, helping in older games, but four threads remain a hard limit for modern titles.
Virtualization
Limited to light VMs due to 4 threads.
vPro and VT-d features are excellent for IT management, but four threads limit practical virtualization workloads.
Efficiency
Outstanding efficiency, hitting 3.8 GHz on just 65W.
84W TDP is the standard for the Haswell i5 lineup; the higher clocks do not come with a power penalty thanks to good binning.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Slow for modern AI workloads
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 and FMA3 available for basic vector operations
- DDR3 bandwidth constrains any AI inference workload
- Not suitable for local AI applications
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
- 3.8 GHz turbo is the fastest among launch locked Haswell i5s
- Good for eSports and older AAA titles with a dedicated GPU
- Bottlenecks modern mid-range GPUs in CPU-intensive titles
- No Hyper-Threading limits 1% low frame rates
- Best paired with GTX 1060 or RX 580 class GPUs
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
- Fastest locked Haswell i5 at launch with 3.8 GHz turbo
- vPro technology for enterprise IT management
- TXT and TSX for security and transactional memory
- Full instruction set including BMI1/BMI2 and F16C
- Strong single-threaded performance for its era
Cons
- vPro features unnecessary for most home users
- More expensive than i5-4570 with negligible gaming performance difference
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- 84W TDP is inefficient by modern standards
- DDR3 memory platform is obsolete
- Quickly superseded by Devils Canyon i5-4690
- TSX disabled on C0 stepping via microcode errata
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 i5-4670
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD FX-6300Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570Rival
Mid-Range Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570Rival
Mid-Range Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
APU Desktop
Devils Canyon refresh with improved thermal interface and slightly higher clocks on the same platform.
Compare head-to-headUnlocked multiplier for overclocking if you need more performance from the same generation.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Six cores and twelve threads on a modern AM4 platform with DDR4 at similar used-market pricing.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
Modern six-core with twelve threads that dramatically outperforms the i5-4670 at lower power.
Skylake successor with DDR4 support, better efficiency, and a newer platform for similar cost.
Compare head-to-head
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 fastest locked Haswell i5 at launch with unique vPro and TXT enterprise features. A strong performer in its day, but quickly superseded by Devils Canyon and rendered obsolete by modern budget CPUs.
Best for: Repairing an enterprise desktop system that requires vPro features on LGA 1150
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4670S or Intel Core i5-4670?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4670 comes out ahead with a score of 7.4/10. 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 i5-4670S has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4670S (65 W), Intel Core i5-4670 (84 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4670S and Intel Core i5-4670 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 i5-4670 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4670S (3,900), Intel Core i5-4670 (4,620). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.