CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4690K vs Intel Core i5-4690T
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4690K is the quintessential Devil's Canyon processor, released in June 2014 as a direct response to the thermal complaints surrounding the original Haswell architecture. Alongside the i7-4790K, it featured an upgraded Next-Generation Polymer Thermal Interface Material (NGPTIM) between the CPU die and the integrated heat spreader, dramatically improving heat transfer and overclocking headroom.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
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.
Sufficient for basic office and web tasks, but sustained multi-threaded workloads will quickly hit the 45W power limit, causing clocks to drop.
Gaming
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.
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
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.
VT-d and vPro are great for lightweight VMs, but the aggressive power limiting and 4 threads restrict running multiple concurrent instances.
Efficiency
The 22nm Haswell architecture draws notably more power under load than modern alternatives, and the 88W TDP can exceed 120W when overclocked.
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 acceleration hardware
- AVX2 supported but performance is far below modern NPUs
- Not suitable for any meaningful AI/ML training or inference workloads
- No AI hardware
- Power limits severely throttle any vector processing
- Not applicable for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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
- 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
- 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
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 i5-4690K
- 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.
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 i5-4690K 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 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 i5-4690K or Intel Core i5-4690T?
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 i5-4690K or Intel Core i5-4690T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4690K leads with a gaming performance score of 62/100 among Intel Core i5-4690K 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 i5-4690K (88 W), Intel Core i5-4690T (45 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4690K 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 i5-4690K posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4690K (5,190), Intel Core i5-4690T (4,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.