CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4690 vs Intel Core i5-4690K
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. Launched in May 2014 as part of the Haswell Refresh, the Intel Core i5-4690 served as the standard locked quad-core offering for the LGA 1150 platform. Unlike its K-series counterpart, this processor focused on business and mainstream desktop use, incorporating support for Intel vPro, VT-d, and TSX instructions.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Performs reliably in standard office applications and light multitasking, but multi-threaded rendering or compilation tasks are slow compared to modern CPUs.
Sufficient for light office work and basic multitasking, but the absence of Hyper-Threading means multi-threaded productivity workloads complete noticeably slower than on contemporary i7 or modern processors.
Gaming
Capable of 60+ FPS in older esports and mainstream titles at 1080p, but struggles with modern games that rely heavily on more than four threads.
Adequate for older and esports titles at 1080p, but struggles with modern CPU-demanding games that utilize more than four threads, leading to stuttering and frame drops.
Virtualization
VT-d support allows for good basic virtualization and PCIe passthrough, though the 4-core/4-thread limit restricts running multiple heavy VMs.
Four threads are a hard constraint for running multiple virtual machines simultaneously; VT-x is supported but VT-d is not available on this K-series part, limiting IOMMU passthrough options.
Efficiency
The 84W TDP is manageable but inefficient by modern standards, drawing significantly more power per operation than current architectures.
The 22nm Haswell architecture draws notably more power under load than modern alternatives, and the 88W TDP can exceed 120W when overclocked.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- AVX2 supported but insufficient for modern AI workloads
- Not suitable for machine learning tasks
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 supported but performance is far below modern NPUs
- Not suitable for any meaningful AI/ML training or inference workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Adequate for older DirectX 11 games
- No unlocked multiplier limits tuning to BCLK adjustments only
- Four threads cause bottlenecking in modern AAA titles
- Best paired with mid-range GPUs like GTX 960 or RX 570
- Performs well in older DirectX 11 titles and esports games like CS:GO
- Lacks Hyper-Threading, causing frame-time inconsistencies in modern titles
- Overclocking to 4.4-4.6 GHz can improve minimum frame rates in CPU-bound scenarios
- Paired with a mid-range GPU like GTX 1060 or RX 580, it remains a balanced pairing for 1080p
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Reliable locked performance for daily use
- Supports Intel vPro for enterprise management
- Includes VT-d for virtualization passthrough
- Lower cost on the used market compared to i7 variants
- Includes Intel HD 4600 for basic display tasks
Cons
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- TSX-NI disabled via microcode due to errata
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded performance
- 84W TDP is inefficient compared to modern chips
- LGA 1150 platform is end-of-life
- Only supports DDR3 memory
Pros
- Improved thermal interface over i5-4670K for better overclocking
- Unlocked multiplier allows easy frequency tuning
- Solid 1080p gaming performance with mid-range GPUs for its era
- Widely available on the used market at low prices
- Broad motherboard compatibility with Z87 and Z97 chipsets
- Includes Intel HD 4600 for basic display output without a discrete GPU
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded performance
- 88W TDP is relatively high for a quad-core without HT
- 22nm process is far less efficient than modern nodes
- LGA 1150 platform is end-of-life with no upgrade path
- DDR3 memory is obsolete and limits bandwidth
- Only 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes from CPU
- Does not support VT-d (IOMMU) for PCIe device passthrough
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4690
- AMD FX-8320Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4670Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4770Rival
High-End Desktop
- AMD FX-6300Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4590Rival
Mainstream Desktop
Choose this if you have a Z87/Z97 motherboard and want to overclock for better gaming performance.
Compare head-to-headOffers Hyper-Threading for 8 threads, making it a much better drop-in upgrade for multi-threaded tasks on LGA 1150.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
A modern alternative with 6 cores and 12 threads, offering vastly superior performance and platform features.
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
A budget modern option that drastically outperforms the 4690 in every metric while using less power.
Intel Core i5-4690K
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD FX-8370Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4790KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4670KRival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Six cores, twelve threads on a modern platform with DDR4, NVMe support, and significantly better performance per dollar in 2024 and beyond.
Six cores, twelve threads at a similar used price point with a much more modern platform and dramatically better multi-threaded performance.
Compare head-to-headThe direct successor on LGA 1151 with Skylake architecture, offering slightly better IPC and DDR4 support, though still limited to four threads.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Vastly superior single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, modern platform features, and excellent value on AM4 for budget builders starting fresh.
Our Verdict on Each
The i5-4690 is a solid, locked Haswell Refresh quad-core that offered excellent reliability for office and mainstream users. The inclusion of VT-d and TSX made it unique, though the TSX feature was later disabled via microcode.
Best for: Upgrading an older office PC or homelab server bound to the LGA 1150 platform that requires VT-d for PCIe passthrough.
Read the full reviewThe i5-4690K was the go-to unlocked quad-core for gamers on a budget during the Haswell era. Its Devil's Canyon thermal improvements made it a better overclocker than the i5-4670K, but the lack of Hyper-Threading limits its relevance for modern multi-threaded workloads.
Best for: Repairing or upgrading an existing LGA 1150 system where a motherboard swap is impractical, and overclocking is desired.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4690 or Intel Core i5-4690K?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4690K 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 i5-4690 or Intel Core i5-4690K?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4690K leads with a gaming performance score of 62/100 among Intel Core i5-4690 and Intel Core i5-4690K.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-4690 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4690 (84 W), Intel Core i5-4690K (88 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4690 and Intel Core i5-4690K 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 i5-4690K posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4690 (5,050), Intel Core i5-4690K (5,190). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.