CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4690T vs Intel Core i7-4790T
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.
Good for office tasks but slow for rendering.
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.
Low base clock limits gaming performance.
Virtualization
VT-d and vPro are great for lightweight VMs, but the aggressive power limiting and 4 threads restrict running multiple concurrent instances.
Limited by low clocks and 4 cores.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency for its era. The 45W TDP ensures very low idle and load power consumption, perfect for always-on devices.
45W TDP was efficient for 2014, but outdated now.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Power limits severely throttle any vector processing
- Not applicable for AI workloads
- No AI hardware
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
- Low base clock
- HD 4600 is too weak
- Not for 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- LGA 1150 platform is obsolete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
- Ultra-low 45W TDP
- Good for silent builds
- 4 cores with Hyper-Threading
- Includes HD 4600 graphics
Cons
- Low base clock
- Locked multiplier
- 14nm process is outdated
- LGA 1150 is a dead platform
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 i7-4790T
- AMD A8-7600Rival
Desktop
- AMD A10-7700KRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4590TRival
Desktop
- Intel Core i7-4770TRival
Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
Desktop
Modern alternative with much better performance and efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
Superior integrated graphics and CPU performance.
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
Modern 6-core alternative.
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600GAlt
Great budget APU for SFF builds.
Slightly newer alternative on the same socket.
Compare head-to-head
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 reviewA highly efficient 45W desktop CPU for its time, but its low base clock makes it sluggish for modern tasks.
Best for: If you are considering the Intel Core i7-4790T today, it should only be for specific budget or replacement scenarios. It is an excellent choice if you are maintaining a small form factor PC for basic office work or as a home theater PC, where its 45W TDP allows for silent operation. However, for new builds, modern processors offer significantly better performance and efficiency. The 4790T is best purchased used or refurbished at a low price. Avoid this processor if you need to do any modern gaming, heavy video editing, or if you want an upgrade path, as the LGA 1151 socket is obsolete.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4690T or Intel Core i7-4790T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4690T comes out ahead with a score of 6.5/10. 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 i7-4790T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4690T leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Core i5-4690T and Intel Core i7-4790T.
Do Intel Core i5-4690T and Intel Core i7-4790T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4690T: LGA 1150, Intel Core i7-4790T: Intel Socket 1150), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-4690T posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4690T (4,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.