Quick Verdict
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.
Overview
Launch
2014
Status
DiscontinuedGeneration
4th Gen (Haswell Refresh)
Market
Desktop
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 Intel Core i5-4690 is a locked quad-core processor from the Haswell Refresh lineup, operating at 3.4 GHz base and 3.8 GHz turbo.
It retains the 84W TDP and 6MB L3 cache of its predecessor but adds enterprise features like Intel vPro, VT-d for IOMMU passthrough, and TSX-NI for transactional memory. While it cannot be overclocked via the multiplier, it provides consistent and reliable performance for daily computing and older games. The inclusion of TSX was notable, though a later silicon errata forced Intel to disable it via microcode updates.
For users with existing LGA 1150 motherboards, it remains a capable chip for basic tasks.
Specifications
Performance
Performs reliably in standard office applications and light multitasking, but multi-threaded rendering or compilation tasks are slow compared to modern CPUs.
VT-d support allows for good basic virtualization and PCIe passthrough, though the 4-core/4-thread limit restricts running multiple heavy VMs.
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.
The 84W TDP is manageable but inefficient by modern standards, drawing significantly more power per operation than current architectures.
- •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
- •No dedicated AI hardware
- •AVX2 supported but insufficient for modern AI workloads
- •Not suitable for machine learning tasks
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Haswell
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
84 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i5-4690 utilizes the Haswell Refresh microarchitecture, a minor silicon revision of the original Haswell design on Intel's 22nm lithographic node. It maintains the dual-core per module design featuring four physical cores and four threads, omitting Hyper-Threading.
CPU Design
Each core accesses 64KB of L1 and 256KB of L2 cache, with a unified 6MB L3 cache shared across the die. A key differentiator for this specific SKU is the inclusion of Intel Transactional Synchronization Extensions (TSX), which aimed to accelerate multi-threaded performance by optimizing lock mechanisms, although this feature was later disabled via microcode updates due to a critical errata.
Memory Subsystem
The integrated memory controller supports dual-channel DDR3 up to 1600 MT/s natively. Unlike the K-series, the locked multiplier limits memory overclocking to base clock (BCLK) adjustments, which offer very limited headroom on Haswell.
PCIe & I/O
The processor provides 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes directly from the CPU for graphics or other high-bandwidth devices. Additional lanes are routed through the PCH (Z87/Z97), providing ample connectivity for standard desktop use.
Overclocking
The locked multiplier prevents traditional overclocking. Users can only adjust the base clock (BCLK) by a few megahertz, typically achieving around 3.5-3.6 GHz maximum, making this a poor choice for enthusiasts seeking frequency tuning.
- Updated silicon revision for better stability
- Inclusion of TSX-NI (prior to microcode disable)
- Full VT-d and vPro support
- Slightly refined turbo boost behavior
Key Highlights
- 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
- 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
History
The i5-4690 arrived alongside the Devil's Canyon processors in May 2014, representing the non-enthusiast arm of Intel's mid-generation refresh. While the i5-4690K grabbed headlines for its improved thermal compound, the standard i5-4690 quietly replaced the i5-4670 in retail channels, offering the same clock speeds but with updated firmware and feature sets. </br></br> This processor is notable for being caught in the TSX errata controversy.
Intel initially included TSX-NI support in this Haswell Refresh silicon, but a severe bug causing system hangs under specific workloads forced Intel to disable the feature via a microcode update, leaving many enterprise users frustrated. </br></br> Despite this, the i5-4690 became a staple in office and mid-range gaming PCs. It offered a balanced approach for users who didn't overclock but wanted solid quad-core performance, bridging the gap before the transition to DDR4 and the LGA 1151 platform.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Updated silicon revision for better stability
- Inclusion of TSX-NI (prior to microcode disable)
- Full VT-d and vPro support
- Slightly refined turbo boost behavior
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Upgrading an older office PC or homelab server bound to the LGA 1150 platform that requires VT-d for PCIe passthrough.
Avoid if…
- Building a new PC from scratch
- You want to overclock your CPU
- Running modern multi-threaded workloads
- Needing high single-core performance for modern games
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-4690 includes TSX-NI instructions, but a critical bug forced Intel to disable the feature via a microcode update.
Unlike the i5-4690K, the standard 4690 supports Intel vPro, TXT, and VT-d.
It was part of the Haswell Refresh lineup designed to tide Intel over until the 14nm Broadwell desktop parts were ready.
The processor shares the exact same 177 mm² die size as the original Haswell i5-4670.
It features the Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator (FIVR), which was removed in the subsequent Skylake generation.
Many corporate desktops sold in 2014-2015 featured this specific CPU due to its vPro support.
Maximum memory bandwidth is limited to 25.6 GB/s by the dual-channel DDR3-1600 controller.
Because it is a locked processor, it was often paired with cheaper H81 or B85 chipsets in budget builds.
Intel HD 4600 graphics run at a base of 350 MHz and turbo up to 1200 MHz.
The part number for this specific chip is not consistently documented in Intel ARK, often varying by region.
People Also Ask
Does the i5-4690 support overclocking?
No, the i5-4690 has a locked multiplier and cannot be traditionally overclocked. Only minor base clock (BCLK) adjustments are possible.
What is the difference between i5-4690 and i5-4690K?
The i5-4690K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, lacks vPro and VT-d, and has a slightly higher 88W TDP. The i5-4690 is locked, includes vPro/VT-d, and has an 84W TDP.
Does the i5-4690 have VT-d support?
Yes, unlike the K-series variant, the i5-4690 supports Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d).
What is TSX on the i5-4690?
TSX-NI (Transactional Synchronization Extensions) is a set of instructions for improving multi-threaded performance. However, a silicon bug forced Intel to disable it via microcode update on this CPU.
Is the i5-4690 good for gaming?
It performs adequately for older or esports games at 1080p, but modern titles will suffer from stuttering due to the 4-core/4-thread limitation.
What chipset is best for the i5-4690?
Since it is a locked CPU, pairing it with a B85 or H97 chipset is the most cost-effective choice, though Z87/Z97 also work perfectly fine.
Does the i5-4690 support DDR4?
No, the i5-4690 only supports dual-channel DDR3 memory natively up to 1600 MT/s.
Can the i5-4690 run Windows 11?
Officially, no. Windows 11 requires an 8th-gen Intel CPU or newer. Unofficial workarounds exist but lack official support and security updates.
What is the max temperature for the i5-4690?
The rated Tcase maximum is 72°C. The processor will begin to thermal throttle at 100°C (TJMax).
Does the i5-4690 come with a cooler?
Yes, as a retail boxed CPU, it came bundled with a standard Intel aluminum stock cooler, which is sufficient for its rated speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the i5-4690 have integrated graphics?
Yes, it features Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics with a base frequency of 350 MHz and a max dynamic frequency of 1200 MHz.
Can I use the i5-4690 for a home server?
Yes, its support for VT-d makes it a decent choice for a basic home server running Proxmox or Unraid with PCIe passthrough on a budget.
How much RAM can the i5-4690 support?
The maximum supported memory is 32GB of dual-channel DDR3-1600.
Will the i5-4690 bottleneck a GTX 1060?
In modern CPU-intensive games at 1080p, yes, the 4-core/4-thread limitation will cause some bottlenecking, though it pairs well enough for 60 FPS target experiences.
Why was TSX disabled on the i5-4690?
Intel discovered a bug in the TSX implementation that could cause unpredictable system hangs under specific multi-threaded workloads, leading to a microcode update that disables the feature.
Does the i5-4690 support Intel Quick Sync?
Yes, the integrated HD 4600 graphics support Intel Quick Sync Video for hardware-accelerated video encoding and decoding.
Is the i5-4690 good for streaming?
No, 4 cores and 4 threads are insufficient for both gaming and software encoding simultaneously. GPU encoding is required if streaming with this CPU.
What is the difference between i5-4690 and i5-4670?
The i5-4690 is a Haswell Refresh part with updated silicon, TSX support (later disabled), and vPro, whereas the i5-4670 is the original Haswell release lacking these features.
Can I upgrade from an i3 to the i5-4690?
Yes, if you have an LGA 1150 motherboard, the i5-4690 is a significant upgrade from any dual-core i3 of the same generation, providing much better multi-threaded performance.
Does the i5-4690 support NVMe?
Not natively from the CPU, but some Z87/Z97 motherboards include M.2 slots wired to the PCH that support NVMe with a BIOS update, albeit at PCIe 2.0 speeds.