CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4690 vs Intel Core i5-6600
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.
Fast single-core makes everyday tasks snappy, but multi-threaded work is slow.
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.
Good 1080p performance in older games, but severe stuttering in modern CPU-heavy 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.
Inadequate for running multiple 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 provides a great balance of performance and power draw.
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 are insufficient for modern 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
- 3.9 GHz turbo provides solid single-core grunt
- Lacks the threads for modern open-world games
- Will bottleneck mid-range modern GPUs at 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
- High 3.9 GHz single-core turbo
- Solid 3.6 GHz all-core turbo
- 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Included a decent stock cooler
Cons
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier
- End-of-life platform with no upgrade path
- Struggles in modern multi-threaded workloads
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 i5-6600
- AMD FX-8370Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-6600KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4690Rival
Previous Gen
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4790Rival
High-End Previous Gen
Modern budget king that obliterates the i5-6600 in single-core and multi-core.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
6 cores/12 threads, much better for gaming and productivity today.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
The direct modern equivalent with 12 threads and superior IPC.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Older generation but still vastly superior in multi-threaded tasks.
Cheap 6-core/12-thread option on the used market.
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 i5-6600 was the ultimate locked gaming chip of 2015, boasting high boost clocks, though modern users will find its 4-thread design a major bottleneck.
Best for: The i5-6600 is a solid drop-in upgrade if you are currently running a Pentium or i3 on an LGA 1151 motherboard and can get this chip for dirt cheap. It offers a noticeable bump in single-core speed and cache over lower-tier Skylake chips, making your system feel much snappier for daily use and older games. It’s also a decent holdover chip if your main CPU died and you need a cheap replacement. However, buying this to build a new system is a mistake. Modern budget chips like the i3-12100F offer vastly superior single-thread and multi-thread performance, alongside modern platform features. Do not overspend on this legacy hardware; your money is better saved for a modern platform overhaul.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4690 or Intel Core i5-6600?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-6600 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 i5-6600?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-6600 leads with a gaming performance score of 60/100 among Intel Core i5-4690 and Intel Core i5-6600.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-6600 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4690 (84 W), Intel Core i5-6600 (65 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4690 and Intel Core i5-6600 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4690: LGA 1150, Intel Core i5-6600: LGA 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-6600 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4690 (5,050), Intel Core i5-6600 (5,600). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.