CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4690 vs Intel Core i5-4690T
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 basic office and web tasks, but sustained multi-threaded workloads will quickly hit the 45W power limit, causing clocks to drop.
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.
The low base clock of 2.5 GHz hurts minimum frame rates in CPU-heavy games. It is suitable only for very light or older 2D/esports titles.
Virtualization
VT-d support allows for good basic virtualization and PCIe passthrough, though the 4-core/4-thread limit restricts running multiple heavy VMs.
VT-d and vPro are great for lightweight VMs, but the aggressive power limiting and 4 threads restrict running multiple concurrent instances.
Efficiency
The 84W TDP is manageable but inefficient by modern standards, drawing significantly more power per operation than current architectures.
Excellent efficiency for its era. The 45W TDP ensures very low idle and load power consumption, perfect for always-on devices.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- AVX2 supported but insufficient for modern AI workloads
- Not suitable for machine learning tasks
- No AI hardware
- Power limits severely throttle any vector processing
- Not applicable for AI 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
- 2.5 GHz base clock results in low minimum FPS
- 45W power limit restricts sustained multi-core turbo
- HD 4600 graphics are insufficient for modern gaming
- Only suitable for retro or extremely light game titles
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
- Extremely low 45W TDP for fanless or compact designs
- True quad-core performance in a low-power envelope
- Includes VT-d, vPro, and TXT for enterprise use
- Good burst performance up to 3.5 GHz
- Very low heat output
Cons
- Low 2.5 GHz base clock hurts minimum frame rates
- Aggressive power limiting throttles sustained loads
- Locked multiplier
- Often overpriced on the used market due to scarcity
- Only supports DDR3
- LGA 1150 platform is obsolete
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 i5-4690T
- AMD A8-7600 (45W)Rival
Ultra-Low-Power APU
- Intel Core i3-4360TRival
Ultra-Low-Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570TRival
Ultra-Low-Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4790TRival
Ultra-Low-Power Desktop
- AMD A10-6800K (in low power mode)Rival
APU Desktop
Choose the 65W S-series if you can accommodate slightly more heat for significantly higher base and turbo clocks.
Compare head-to-headA modern 35W 6-core processor that offers dramatically better performance and efficiency for a new compact build.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GEAlt
A modern low-power hex-core with exceptional efficiency and performance, rendering the 4690T obsolete for new projects.
If thermals are not an issue, the standard 84W model provides much higher sustained performance for less money.
Compare head-to-head
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 i5-4690T is an efficient quad-core squeezed into a 45W envelope. While it sacrifices base clock speed heavily to achieve this, it remains a reliable choice for specific embedded or OEM applications where heat is the primary enemy.
Best for: Replacing a failed CPU in an older OEM mini PC, AIO system, or digital signage player bound to the LGA 1150 platform.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4690 or Intel Core i5-4690T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4690 comes out ahead with a score of 6.8/10. 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 i5-4690T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4690 leads with a gaming performance score of 56/100 among Intel Core i5-4690 and Intel Core i5-4690T.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-4690T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4690 (84 W), Intel Core i5-4690T (45 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4690 and Intel Core i5-4690T 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 i5-4690 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4690 (5,050), Intel Core i5-4690T (4,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.