CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4690T vs Intel Core i5-8500T
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4690T represents the ultra-low-power tier of the Haswell Refresh lineup, engineered specifically for compact, thermally constrained environments. With a remarkably low 45W TDP, this quad-core processor drastically cuts power consumption compared to standard desktop parts.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Sufficient for basic office and web tasks, but sustained multi-threaded workloads will quickly hit the 45W power limit, causing clocks to drop.
6 cores handle office tasks easily, with decent single-core speed.
Gaming
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.
Can handle light games, but low clocks limit high-refresh gaming.
Virtualization
VT-d and vPro are great for lightweight VMs, but the aggressive power limiting and 4 threads restrict running multiple concurrent instances.
Good for 1-2 VMs, but lacks hyper-threading.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency for its era. The 45W TDP ensures very low idle and load power consumption, perfect for always-on devices.
Outstanding efficiency with a 35W TDP.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Power limits severely throttle any vector processing
- Not applicable for AI workloads
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- Low clocks make inference slow.
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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
- Clocks are too low for modern CPU-bound games.
- UHD 630 is only good for very light titles.
- Needs a low-end discrete GPU for decent gaming.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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- LGA 1150 platform is obsolete
Pros
- Extremely low 35W TDP
- 6 cores for parallel tasks
- Higher base clock than 8400T
- Runs very cool
Cons
- Locked multiplier
- No Hyper-Threading
- End-of-life platform
- Limited by 35W power limit under load
Competitors & Alternatives
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
Intel Core i5-8500T
- AMD Ryzen 5 2400GERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-8400TRival
Low Power Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 2600ERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-8700TRival
High-End Low Power
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GERival
Budget Low Power
Slightly faster clocks, same TDP.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GEAlt
Better integrated graphics.
Much faster modern architecture.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GEAlt
Better efficiency and performance.
Our Verdict on Each
The 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 reviewAn excellent low-power 6-core processor that offers better performance than the 8400T, making it a great choice for SFF builds where space and power are constrained.
Best for: Building a quiet home server or SFF office PC using used parts.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4690T or Intel Core i5-8500T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-8500T comes out ahead with a score of 7.8/10. 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 i5-4690T or Intel Core i5-8500T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-8500T leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i5-4690T and Intel Core i5-8500T.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-8500T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4690T (45 W), Intel Core i5-8500T (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4690T and Intel Core i5-8500T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4690T: LGA 1150, Intel Core i5-8500T: LGA 1151), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-8500T has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-4690T (4 cores), Intel Core i5-8500T (6 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-8500T posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4690T (4,200), Intel Core i5-8500T (9,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.