Quick Verdict
An impressive engineering exercise in power efficiency that sacrificed significant performance for its 35W TDP. Ideal for thermally constrained builds of its era, but modern low-power CPUs deliver far better performance at similar power envelopes.
Overview
Launch
2014
Status
DiscontinuedGeneration
4th Gen (Haswell)
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i5-4590T is a low-power variant of the Haswell i5-4590, featuring a dramatically reduced 35W TDP with quad-core operation at 2.0 GHz base and 3.0 GHz turbo, designed for small form factor and thermally constrained desktop systems.
The Intel Core i5-4590T takes the Haswell quad-core design and throttles it down to a 35W TDP, making it suitable for compact systems that cannot accommodate standard 84W processors. The base clock drops to 2.0 GHz with a 3.
0 GHz turbo, a significant reduction from the standard i5-4590's 3.3/3.7 GHz.
Despite the lower clocks, it retains the full 6 MB L3 cache, HD 4600 integrated graphics, and dual-channel DDR3-1600 support. The 'T' suffix indicates Intel's power-optimized binning, where chips that can maintain stability at lower voltages are designated for low-power SKUs. This processor was primarily sold through OEM channels and found its way into thin mini-ITX systems, all-in-one PCs, and industrial embedded applications.
Its launch price of $192 was actually higher than the standard i5-4590, reflecting the premium for low-power binning. Today, it is primarily of interest for repairing existing systems, as modern low-power options like AMD's Ryzen embedded and Intel's own T-series Alder Lake chips offer far better performance per watt.
Specifications
Performance
Adequate for basic office tasks where bursty workloads benefit from the 3.0 GHz turbo, but sustained multi-threaded work is limited.
Four threads at low clocks make virtualization impractical for any meaningful workload.
The 2.0 GHz base clock severely limits gaming performance. Only viable for very old or casual games, even with a dedicated GPU.
The 35W TDP was impressive for a quad-core in 2014, though modern processors achieve far better performance at similar or lower power.
- •2.0 GHz base clock too low for consistent game performance
- •3.0 GHz turbo helps in short bursts but cannot sustain
- •Only suitable for pre-2015 games at low settings
- •HD 4600 insufficient for any modern gaming without a dGPU
- •Even with a dGPU, CPU bottleneck is severe in modern titles
- •No AI acceleration hardware
- •Low clock speeds further reduce any AVX2 compute capability
- •35W power budget leaves no headroom for inference workloads
- •Not viable for any AI application
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Haswell
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i5-4590T uses the same Haswell die as the standard i5-4590 but is binned for operation at significantly lower voltages, enabling the 35W TDP target. The key difference is not in the silicon design but in the factory-set operating parameters: the base multiplier is set to 20x (2.0 GHz at 100 MHz BCLK) versus 33x on the standard part, and the turbo ceiling is 30x (3.0 GHz) versus 37x. The FIVR plays a critical role in the T-series design, as its fine-grained voltage control allows the processor to operate at lower voltages across all frequency bins compared to standard SKUs. The 1 GHz turbo delta is the largest in the Haswell i5 lineup, reflecting Intel's strategy of keeping base clocks extremely low for thermal compliance while allowing significant turbo headroom for bursty workloads typical of office and media consumption scenarios. Importantly, the full 6 MB L3 cache is retained, which means cache-sensitive applications like web browsing and document editing suffer less than purely compute-bound tasks. The HD 4600 integrated graphics are also retained with a slightly different frequency range (350-1150 MHz vs 350-1100 MHz on the i5-4460), suggesting marginally better GPU binning on the T-series.
CPU Design
Four out-of-order cores at 2.0 GHz base / 3.0 GHz turbo with low-voltage binning. Full 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3, identical to standard Haswell i5 silicon.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1600 controller with 25.6 GB/s peak bandwidth. Supports 1.5V DDR3 and 1.35V DDR3L modules.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU for GPU connectivity. Compatible with Intel 8-series and 9-series chipsets.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier at 20x. BCLK adjustment is the only option, limited to 100-105 MHz. Power-limited turbo behavior further constrains any performance tuning.
- 100 MHz higher turbo clock over i5-4570T
- Same 35W TDP with slightly better performance
- Improved turbo algorithms for sustained workloads
- Compatible with 9-series chipsets
Key Highlights
- Extremely low 35W TDP enables compact cooling solutions
- Retains full 6 MB L3 cache despite power reduction
- Quad-core design handles multi-tasking better than dual-core alternatives
- 1 GHz turbo delta provides good burst performance
- Compatible with all LGA 1150 motherboards
- 2.0 GHz base clock is very slow for sustained workloads
- Launched at $192, more expensive than the faster i5-4590
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier with no overclocking potential
- DDR3 memory platform is obsolete
- Outperformed by modern Celeron and Pentium processors at lower TDPs
- Limited availability as it was primarily an OEM product
History
The Intel Core i5-4590T launched on May 11, 2014 as part of Intel's mid-cycle Haswell refresh, specifically targeting the growing market for small form factor and all-in-one desktop systems. The 'T' suffix denoted Intel's power-optimized lifestyle series, which sacrificed clock speed for a dramatically lower 35W TDP.</br></br>This processor emerged during a period when the PC industry was grappling with the decline of traditional desktops and the rise of compact, visually appealing systems.
Intel's thin mini-ITX specification, designed for systems under 40mm thick, required processors that could operate within tight thermal envelopes. The i5-4590T was built for exactly this scenario, offering quad-core performance in a power budget previously reserved for dual-core chips.</br></br>The processor found its way into premium all-in-one systems from Lenovo, HP, and Dell, as well as custom HTPC builds from enthusiasts who valued silence over raw performance.
Its premium launch price of $192 reflected the cost of low-power binning and the smaller market for T-series parts. While it served its niche well, the i5-4590T was always a niche product, overshadowed by both the cheaper standard i5-4590 and the more flexible laptop-derived processors that would later dominate the small form factor market.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 100 MHz higher turbo clock over i5-4570T
- Same 35W TDP with slightly better performance
- Improved turbo algorithms for sustained workloads
- Compatible with 9-series chipsets
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Replacing a failed CPU in an existing thin mini-ITX or all-in-one system that requires a 35W LGA 1150 processor
Avoid if…
- Building any new system from scratch
- Needing performance beyond basic computing
- Wanting modern power efficiency
- Gaming is a requirement
- Alternative low-power modern CPUs are available
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-4590T launched at $192, which was actually $5 more than the standard i5-4590, making it one of the rare cases where a lower-performance chip costs more than its faster sibling due to power binning premiums.
The 'T' suffix in Intel's naming convention stands for 'Power Optimized Lifestyle,' indicating a processor designed for thermally constrained environments rather than performance.
Despite its low 2.0 GHz base clock, the i5-4590T can reach 3.0 GHz on all four cores simultaneously under turbo, provided the cooling solution can handle the resulting power draw.
This processor was a popular choice for custom home server builds in 2014-2016, where users wanted quad-core capability without the heat and noise of an 84W CPU.
The i5-4590T's F16C instruction support, listed in its feature set, enables half-precision floating-point conversion that benefits certain media processing workloads.
Intel's T-series processors are among the least documented in the Core lineup, as they are primarily sold to OEMs and rarely appear in consumer retail channels.
The 35W TDP matches the thermal envelope of many laptop processors, yet the i5-4590T uses a desktop LGA 1150 socket, making it a unique crossover product.
Some thin mini-ITX motherboards designed for the i5-4590T included DC power input headers, eliminating the need for a standard ATX power supply entirely.
The HD 4600 integrated graphics on the i5-4590T have a slightly higher max dynamic frequency (1150 MHz vs 1100 MHz on some SKUs), suggesting better GPU binning for T-series parts.
In Intel's product stack, the i5-4590T occupied the same $192 price point as the i5-4430 and i5-4440, making it a clear choice only for users with specific thermal constraints.
People Also Ask
What does the T mean in i5-4590T?
The T suffix indicates a power-optimized lifestyle processor with a 35W TDP, designed for small form factor and thermally constrained desktop systems.
Is the i5-4590T good for gaming?
No. The 2.0 GHz base clock is too low for gaming, and even the 3.0 GHz turbo cannot sustain performance in CPU-intensive titles.
How does the i5-4590T compare to the i5-4590?
The i5-4590T has a 1.3 GHz lower base clock and 0.7 GHz lower turbo, but reduces TDP from 84W to 35W. Performance is roughly 25-30% lower depending on the workload.
Can the i5-4590T run fanless?
Potentially, with a sufficiently large passive heatsink. At 35W TDP, some fanless cases designed for low-power processors can handle this chip, but sustained turbo operation would require active airflow.
Why is the i5-4590T more expensive than the i5-4590?
Low-power binning requires selecting chips that can operate stably at lower voltages, which are rarer and more valuable for OEM applications. This premium pricing is standard for T-series Intel processors.
What motherboards work with i5-4590T?
Any LGA 1150 motherboard with Intel 8-series or 9-series chipsets. Thin mini-ITX boards are particularly well-suited for this processor.
Does the i5-4590T support 4K output?
The HD 4600 can output 4K at 30Hz via DisplayPort. 4K at 60Hz requires a dedicated GPU or a more modern integrated graphics solution.
How much power does the i5-4590T actually draw?
Under full load with all cores at turbo, expect around 30-35W. Idle power is typically 10-15W, significantly lower than the 84W standard i5 variants.
Is the i5-4590T good for a home server?
It was popular for this use case in 2014-2016 due to its quad-core capability and low power draw. Modern alternatives like Intel N100-based systems are far more efficient.
Can I overclock the i5-4590T?
No. The multiplier is locked at 20x, and BCLK adjustments are extremely limited on Haswell. The 35W TDP also leaves virtually no headroom for overclocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the part number for the i5-4590T?
SR1S6 is the commonly listed part number.
Does the i5-4590T come with a cooler?
Yes, Intel included a low-profile stock cooler appropriate for the 35W TDP in the retail package.
What is the maximum temperature for i5-4590T?
The maximum Tcase is rated at 72°C.
Does the i5-4590T support VT-d?
Yes, it supports Intel VT-x and VT-d for virtualization.
Can the i5-4590T be used in a standard ATX build?
Yes, it is compatible with any LGA 1150 motherboard. However, there is no benefit to using it over a standard 84W i5 in a case with adequate cooling.
What is the turbo behavior of the i5-4590T?
It can boost to 3.0 GHz on single-core loads and up to 2.9-3.0 GHz on all cores depending on thermal conditions and power delivery.
Does the i5-4590T support AES-NI?
Yes, it supports AES-NI for hardware-accelerated encryption, which is useful for NAS and server applications.
What memory speeds does the i5-4590T support?
DDR3-1600 in dual-channel configuration. DDR3L-1600 (1.35V) is also supported.
Is the i5-4590T still in production?
No, it has been discontinued. It is only available on the used market.
What is the i5-4590T best used for today?
Repairing existing LGA 1150 systems with thermal constraints, or building a retro low-power home server. New builds should use modern alternatives.