Quick Verdict
The i5-4670K was a capable quad-core in its day, but its notorious thermal issues under the IHS severely limited overclocking headroom, making it a historical footnote compared to the refreshed 4690K.
Overview
Launch
2013
Status
DiscontinuedGeneration
4th Gen (Haswell)
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i5-4670K debuted as the flagship unlocked quad-core processor of the initial Haswell architecture rollout in June 2013. Designed for the LGA 1150 socket, it targeted mainstream enthusiasts who wanted overclocking capabilities without paying the premium for Core i7.
The Core i5-4670K brought the Haswell architecture to the mainstream desktop with a 3.4 GHz base clock and 3.8 GHz turbo.
It introduced the Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator (FIVR) to the lineup, simplifying motherboard designs. However, Intel's use of polymer thermal paste between the die and IHS caused poor heat transfer, leading to thermal throttling when overclocked. Enthusiasts often resorted to delidding to fix this.
While fine at stock speeds for older games, its 4-core/4-thread configuration and thermal limitations make it obsolete for modern workloads.
Specifications
Performance
Sufficient for basic office work, but the lack of Hyper-Threading means multi-threaded productivity workloads complete much slower than on modern CPUs.
Four threads are a hard constraint for virtualization, and the lack of VT-d on this K-series part limits IOMMU passthrough capabilities.
Adequate for older or esports titles at 1080p, but struggles significantly with modern CPU-demanding games due to having only four threads.
The 22nm Haswell architecture draws notably more power under load than modern alternatives, and temperatures spike easily due to the internal thermal paste.
- •Performs well in older DirectX 11 titles
- •Lacks Hyper-Threading, causing stuttering in modern games
- •Overclocking requires delidding to achieve safe temperatures
- •Best paired with mid-range GPUs of its era, like the GTX 970
- •No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- •AVX2 supported but performance is vastly inferior to modern NPUs
- •Not suitable for AI/ML training or inference workloads
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Haswell
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
84 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Haswell represented a 'tick-plus' evolution, refining the 22nm process introduced with Ivy Bridge while focusing heavily on power efficiency and integrating the voltage regulation onto the CPU die itself.
CPU Design
The Core i5-4670K features four physical cores without Hyper-Threading, yielding four total threads. Each core is backed by 64KB of L1 and 256KB of L2 cache, sharing a 6MB L3 pool. The architecture introduced AVX2 and FMA3 instruction sets, doubling floating-point throughput for vectorized workloads compared to Sandy Bridge.
Memory Subsystem
The integrated memory controller supports dual-channel DDR3 at 1600 MT/s natively, providing a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Overclocking the base clock (BCLK) can push memory frequencies beyond this specification, though headroom is limited.
PCIe & I/O
The processor provides 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes directly from the CPU for graphics. Additional lanes come from the PCH on the Z87 chipset, allowing for extra expansion slots and storage.
Overclocking
The unlocked multiplier allows direct frequency adjustment in BIOS. However, the FIVR and poor thermal interface material between the die and IHS cause the CPU to hit thermal limits quickly under load, severely hampering overclocking unless delidded.
- Added AVX2 and FMA3 instruction support
- Integrated voltage regulator (FIVR) for finer power control
- Upgraded integrated graphics to HD 4600
- Slightly higher IPC over Ivy Bridge
Key Highlights
- Unlocked multiplier for frequency tuning
- Solid 1080p gaming performance with mid-range GPUs for its era
- Wide availability on the used market at very low prices
- Supports AVX2 and FMA3 instruction sets
- Includes Intel HD 4600 for basic display output without a discrete GPU
- Notorious for high temperatures under load due to internal thermal paste
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded performance
- 84W TDP is relatively high for a quad-core without HT
- LGA 1150 platform is end-of-life with no upgrade path
- Does not support VT-d for PCIe device passthrough
- Delidding required for serious overclocking headroom
History
The Core i5-4670K launched during a pivotal transition for Intel's desktop lineup. Arriving in June 2013, it succeeded the popular i5-3570K, carrying the weight of enthusiast expectations. While it delivered solid performance improvements, the launch was controversial due to Intel's decision to use a polymer thermal interface material (TIM) between the die and integrated heat spreader instead of fluxless solder.
</br></br> This choice resulted in poor heat transfer, causing the CPU to hit thermal limits quickly during overclocking, a frustrating regression from the soldered Sandy Bridge generation. Enthusiasts resorted to delidding—physically removing the IHS to apply liquid metal—to achieve reasonable temperatures. </br></br> The backlash was significant enough that Intel eventually responded with the Devil's Canyon refresh in 2014.
Nevertheless, the i5-4670K remains a defining CPU of its era, representing the peak of the quad-core gaming paradigm before multi-threading became essential.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Added AVX2 and FMA3 instruction support
- Integrated voltage regulator (FIVR) for finer power control
- Upgraded integrated graphics to HD 4600
- Slightly higher IPC over Ivy Bridge
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Repairing an existing LGA 1150 system where a motherboard swap is impractical and delidding is not a concern.
Avoid if…
- Building a new PC from scratch
- Running modern multi-threaded applications or games
- Needing DDR4 memory or NVMe boot support natively
- You want to overclock without delidding the CPU
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-4670K was the first unlocked Core i5 to feature the Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator (FIVR).
Intel used a polymer thermal interface material (TIM) under the IHS instead of fluxless solder, causing major thermal issues.
Delidding tools like the 'Der8auer Delid-Die-Mate' became highly popular specifically because of this processor.
It was succeeded by the i5-4690K just one year later, which addressed the thermal complaints with better TIM.
This CPU introduced AVX2 support to the mainstream desktop market.
The integrated HD 4600 graphics were a significant upgrade over the HD 4000 found in Ivy Bridge.
It launched alongside the high-end Z87 chipset, which required a BIOS update to support the later Haswell Refresh CPUs.
Maximum theoretical memory bandwidth is 25.6 GB/s with dual-channel DDR3-1600.
Unlike the non-K i5-4670, the 4670K lacks support for Intel vPro, TXT, and VT-d.
Overclockers typically aimed for 4.2 to 4.4 GHz on air cooling without delidding.
People Also Ask
Why does the i5-4670K run so hot?
Intel used a polymer thermal interface material between the CPU die and the integrated heat spreader instead of solder, which trapped heat and caused high temperatures under load.
Is the i5-4670K still good for gaming?
It can handle older or esports titles at 1080p, but modern AAA games that demand more than four threads will cause stuttering and low minimum frame rates.
What is delidding, and should I do it to my i5-4670K?
Delidding is removing the IHS to replace the stock thermal paste with liquid metal. It drastically lowers temperatures but carries a risk of damaging the CPU and voids any warranty.
Does the i5-4670K support DDR4 memory?
No, the i5-4670K only supports DDR3 memory via its integrated memory controller, with native speeds up to DDR3-1600.
What is the difference between the i5-4670K and the i5-4690K?
The i5-4690K is the Devil's Canyon refresh with improved thermal interface material, 100 MHz higher clocks, and a slightly higher 88W TDP compared to the 84W of the 4670K.
Does the i5-4670K have Hyper-Threading?
No, the Core i5-4670K has four physical cores and four threads without Hyper-Threading. Only Core i7 processors on this platform included Hyper-Threading.
What chipset do you need for the i5-4670K?
The i5-4670K works best with Intel Z87 or Z97 chipsets for full overclocking support. It is also compatible with H81, B85, and H87 chipsets, though overclocking features may be limited.
Can the i5-4670K run Windows 11?
Officially no, as Microsoft requires TPM 2.0 and an 8th-gen or newer Intel CPU. Unofficial workarounds exist but are not supported.
How high can you overclock the i5-4670K?
Without delidding, 4.2 to 4.4 GHz is the typical limit on air cooling due to thermal throttling. With delidding and liquid metal, 4.5 to 4.6 GHz is achievable.
Does the i5-4670K support VT-d?
No, K-series processors from this generation typically lack VT-d (directed I/O) support, limiting advanced virtualization features like PCIe passthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the i5-4670K come with a stock cooler?
Yes, Intel bundled an aluminum stock cooler with the i5-4670K, but it is widely considered inadequate for the 84W TDP, especially when overclocking.
Can I use the i5-4670K on a Z97 motherboard?
Yes, the i5-4670K is fully compatible with Z97 motherboards, which often provide better power delivery and features than original Z87 boards.
Does the i5-4670K support NVMe SSDs?
The CPU itself does not provide NVMe lanes, but some Z97 motherboards include an M.2 slot wired to the PCH that can boot from NVMe drives with a BIOS update.
How much power does the i5-4670K draw when overclocked?
At a 4.5 GHz overclock with increased voltage, power consumption can reach 120-150W under full load, significantly exceeding the 84W TDP rating.
What is the max temperature for the i5-4670K?
The rated Tcase maximum is 72°C, but the thermal throttling point (TJMax) is 100°C. For stability, keeping temperatures below 80°C under load is advisable.
Is the i5-4670K good for streaming?
No, four cores and four threads are insufficient for simultaneously gaming and encoding a livestream. A CPU with more threads or a hardware encoder on the GPU is required.
Does the i5-4670K support dual monitors?
Yes, the integrated HD 4600 graphics support multiple displays, and a discrete GPU can also be used to drive additional monitors.
What is the maximum RAM speed supported by the i5-4670K?
The official maximum native speed is DDR3-1600. With Z87/Z97 chipsets and XMP profiles, DDR3-2400 or higher can be achieved.
What part number is the i5-4670K?
The standard part number for the boxed retail version of the i5-4670K is SR14A.
Is the i5-4670K bottlenecking modern GPUs?
Yes, in CPU-intensive games, the four-thread limitation will bottleneck GPUs in the GTX 1070 to RTX 2060 performance range, particularly at 1080p.