CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4690 vs Intel Core i5-6500
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.
Lacks the thread count for modern multi-tasking and rendering workloads.
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.
Bottlenecks modern GPUs heavily in newer titles; fine for older or esports games.
Virtualization
VT-d support allows for good basic virtualization and PCIe passthrough, though the 4-core/4-thread limit restricts running multiple heavy VMs.
Very limited for running VMs due to 4 threads.
Efficiency
The 84W TDP is manageable but inefficient by modern standards, drawing significantly more power per operation than current architectures.
65W TDP is easy to cool and fairly efficient for a 14nm quad-core.
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 acceleration
- 4 threads severely limit local LLM and inference capabilities
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
- Severe 1% low frame drops in modern CPU-heavy games
- Adequate for CS:GO and Valorant
- No overclocking headroom to alleviate bottlenecks
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
- Low 65W TDP, easy to cool
- Solid IPC for its generation
- Included a stock cooler
- HD 530 iGPU for troubleshooting
Cons
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- Struggles with modern gaming workloads
- End-of-life platform with no upgrade path
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 i5-6500
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4590Rival
Previous Gen
- Intel Core i3-6100Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD A10-7870KRival
APU Desktop
Modern budget king that easily outpaces the i5-6500 in all metrics.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
Incredible integrated graphics and 12 threads for a similar used price.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
The modern equivalent with vastly superior multi-threading and gaming performance.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Older but highly capable 6-core/12-thread CPU on a cheap platform.
Provides 12 threads on a budget LGA 1200 platform.
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 reviewA reliable workhorse in its day, the i5-6500 delivered excellent value for locked mainstream builds, though its 4-thread limitation renders it obsolete for modern heavy workloads.
Best for: The i5-6500 is only viable today if you are repairing an older LGA 1151 system on an extreme budget or building a basic home server. It can handle web browsing, office applications, and retro or esports gaming adequately. However, buying one new or even used at a high price makes no sense. Modern entry-level chips like the i3-12100F obliterate it in single-core and multi-core performance while offering a modern platform with an upgrade path. If you already own this chip, keep it as long as your tasks remain basic, but do not invest money into this platform expecting a noticeable uplift over your existing setup without moving to a newer generation.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4690 or Intel Core i5-6500?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-6500 comes out ahead with a score of 7/10. 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 i5-6500?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4690 leads with a gaming performance score of 56/100 among Intel Core i5-4690 and Intel Core i5-6500.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-6500 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4690 (84 W), Intel Core i5-6500 (65 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4690 and Intel Core i5-6500 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4690: LGA 1150, Intel Core i5-6500: LGA 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-6500 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4690 (5,050), Intel Core i5-6500 (5,400). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.