Intel Core i3-10110U vs Intel Core i5-4690T Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10110U and Intel Core i5-4690T are two processors from different eras and market segments, yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The i3-10110U averages 1131 points, while the i5-4690T averages 1129, placing both in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs. However, these aggregate scores hide a stark performance split: the mobile i3 wins the single-core contest, while the desktop i5 dominates multi-core workloads. The data reveals a 194.5% swing in one benchmark, and the choice between them depends entirely on whether the workload favors raw thread count or modern single-thread efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic result in this comparison is the Cinebench R15 single-core test. The i3-10110U scores 162, while the i5-4690T scores just 55, giving the i3 a 194.5% advantage. This is not a marginal win; it is a generational gap in per-core performance. The i3's newer Comet Lake architecture and higher 4.10 GHz boost clock leave the older Haswell design far behind in tasks that rely on a single thread.

In multi-core workloads, the tables turn completely. The i5-4690T wins all four multi-core tests in the head-to-head set. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 393 against the i3's 326, a 17% difference. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1640 vs 1359, a 17.1% gap) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (3905 vs 3236, a 17.1% gap). The i5's two extra physical cores provide a consistent edge across all rendering tests.

The single-core results in newer Cinebench versions are closer than the R15 anomaly suggests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-4690T actually wins with 231 points against the i3's 191, a 17.3% difference. Similarly, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5 scores 551 versus the i3's 456, a 17.2% win. This is counterintuitive given the R15 result, but the data is clear: in the newer Cinebench tests, the i5's lower clock speed is offset by its architecture and cache configuration.

Overall, the i5-4690T claims 5 wins out of 6 head-to-head benchmarks. The only victory for the i3-10110U is the R15 single-core test, but that win is so large that it skews the overall narrative. The average benchmark scores nearly match (1131 vs 1129), which means the R15 single-core outlier is balanced by the i5's consistent multi-core dominance.

Architecture Differences

The i3-10110U uses the Comet Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, while the i5-4690T uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm node. This process shrink is a major factor in the i3's efficiency and clock speed potential. The i3 has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and boosts to 4.10 GHz, while the i5 runs at 2.50 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. Despite the i5's higher base clock, the i3's higher boost clock and newer design deliver better single-thread performance in older benchmarks.

Core counts differ significantly. The i3-10110U has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-4690T has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i5's two additional physical cores explain its multi-core lead. Cache configurations also differ: both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the i3 has 4 MB shared L3 while the i5 has 6 MB shared L3. The i5's larger L3 cache likely contributes to its performance in newer Cinebench versions.

The i3-10110U is a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 1440 socket with a 25 W TDP, while the i5-4690T is a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1150 with a 45 W TDP. The i3 supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i5 only supports DDR3. The i5 has a dual-channel memory bus with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3's memory bandwidth is not specified in the data. The i5 also has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3's PCIe configuration is not listed.

Integrated graphics differ: the i3 uses UHD Graphics, while the i5 uses Intel HD 4600. The i5 has a larger die size of 177 mm² with 1,400 million transistors, while the i3's die size and transistor count are not provided. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. The i3 was released in August 2019 and is marked as end-of-life, while the i5 was released in April 2014.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The i3-10110U averages 1131 points, while the i5-4690T averages 1129 points. The difference is just 0.2%, effectively a tie, and both sit in the 32nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Why does the i5-4690T win most multi-core tests despite being older?

A: The i5-4690T has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the i3-10110U has only 2 cores and 4 threads. The i5's two additional physical cores provide a consistent 17% advantage across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests.

Q: How much faster is the i3-10110U in the Cinebench R15 single-core test?

A: The i3 scores 162 points against the i5's 55 points, which is a 194.5% advantage. This is the largest single benchmark delta in the comparison.

Q: Does the i5-4690T win any single-core tests?

A: Yes. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5 scores 231 versus the i3's 191, a 17.3% win. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5 scores 551 versus the i3's 456, a 17.2% win.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The i3-10110U supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i5-4690T supports only DDR3. The i5 has a specified dual-channel memory bus with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3's memory bus is not listed.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The i3-10110U has a 25 W TDP, while the i5-4690T has a 45 W TDP. The i3 also uses a newer 14 nm process node compared to the i5's 22 nm node.

Specification Differences

Here are the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | i3-10110U | i5-4690T |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 25 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Comet Lake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | Not specified | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | Not specified | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Not specified | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 25.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2019-08-20 | 2014-04-30 |

| Part Number | Not specified | SR1QT |

The i3-10110U has a higher boost clock (4.10 GHz vs 3.50 GHz) and lower TDP (25 W vs 45 W), but the i5-4690T has more cores, more L3 cache, and a larger die with more transistors.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-10110U wins in scenarios that favor a single fast core. The Cinebench R15 single-core result (162 vs 55) is the clearest example. For older applications, legacy software, or tasks that are poorly threaded and rely on high clock speeds, the i3's 4.10 GHz boost clock is a significant advantage. Its 25 W TDP also makes it suitable for thin-and-light mobile systems where power draw and heat are primary concerns. The i3's support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory gives it more flexibility in system configuration.

The i5-4690T wins in multi-threaded workloads and more modern single-thread tests. It takes all four multi-core Cinebench tests with a consistent 17% margin. This makes it the better choice for rendering, video encoding, or any workload that scales with physical cores. The i5 also wins the newer Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests, suggesting that its 6 MB L3 cache and Haswell architecture handle newer instruction sets better than the i3's Comet Lake design. The i5's desktop socket and 45 W TDP mean it can be paired with more robust cooling solutions, and its PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes offers more expansion options.

The i5-4690T wins 5 of 6 head-to-head benchmarks, so it is the more broadly capable processor. However, the i3's single-core R15 dominance is a reminder that raw core count is not everything. The choice depends on whether the primary workload is old single-threaded software or modern multi-threaded content creation.

The Verdict

The data supports the i5-4690T as the stronger overall processor. It wins the majority of benchmarks, including all multi-core tests and the newer single-core tests. The 17% multi-core margin is consistent across three different Cinebench versions, which speaks to the fundamental advantage of having 4 physical cores. The i5's 6 MB L3 cache and 22 nm Haswell architecture also deliver better results in Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core, which is surprising given the i3's higher boost clock.

The i3-10110U is the right choice only if the workload is dominated by ancient single-threaded applications, as evidenced by its 194.5% win in Cinebench R15 single-core. Its 25 W TDP and mobile socket make it the only option for ultraportable laptops, but as a general-purpose processor, it loses more tests than it wins.

For a desktop system where performance matters, the i5-4690T is the clear pick. For a low-power mobile device running legacy software, the i3-10110U has a niche. The average scores are nearly identical, but that is because the i3's one massive single-core win offsets the i5's five smaller multi-core wins. In practice, the i5's consistent performance across a wider range of tests makes it the more reliable choice.