Intel Core i3-1115G4E vs Intel Core i5-4690S Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1115G4E and Intel Core i5-4690S are two processors separated by six years of architecture, but the benchmark data places them in a surprisingly tight race overall. The i5-4690S, a 2014 desktop part, wins the majority of head-to-head tests, while the i3-1115G4E, a 2020 mobile chip, takes a commanding victory in single-core Geekbench. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the i3-1115G4E at 1559 and the i5-4690S at 1551, placing both in the 39th percentile of all CPUs. This comparison walks through the architecture, benchmark results, and specifications to clarify which processor suits which workload.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-1115G4E has a marginally higher average benchmark score of 1559, compared to 1551 for the Intel Core i5-4690S. The difference is only 8 points, making them statistically equivalent in overall performance.

Q: How many benchmark tests does each processor win in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690S wins 7 of the 8 head-to-head benchmark tests. The Intel Core i3-1115G4E wins only 1 test, which is the Geekbench single-core benchmark.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the i3-1115G4E scores 1702 versus 1163 for the i5-4690S, a delta of 46.3 percent. The second-largest gap is in Geekbench multi-core, where the i5-4690S leads by 8.6 percent.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i3-1115G4E and the Intel Core i5-4690S have ECC memory support listed as false in the specification data.

Q: What are the memory types supported by each processor?

A: The i3-1115G4E supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory, while the i5-4690S supports only DDR3 memory. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690S has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-1115G4E has a base clock of 2.20 GHz. Both processors share the same boost clock of 3.90 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural eras and market segments. The i3-1115G4E is built on Tiger Lake-U architecture using a 10 nm process node, while the i5-4690S uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process. This process advantage gives the i3 a much smaller die size of 144 mm², compared to 177 mm² for the i5, despite the i5 having more cores. The i5-4690S integrates 1,400 million transistors, a figure not listed for the i3.

Core and cache configurations differ significantly. The i3-1115G4E has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-4690S has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i3 features a larger per-core L1 cache at 80 KB per core and a much larger per-core L2 cache at 1.25 MB per core, versus 64 KB and 256 KB per core for the i5. Both share a 6 MB L3 cache, but the i3's cache hierarchy is designed for lower-latency access with its newer architecture.

The platform support also diverges. The i3 uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket and is a mobile segment part, while the i5 uses Intel Socket 1150 and targets desktop systems. The i3 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes, whereas the i5 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the i3 featuring UHD Graphics G4 with 48 execution units and the i5 featuring Intel HD 4600. The i3 has a 15 W TDP, reflecting its mobile design, while the i5 has a 65 W TDP for desktop use.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data tells a clear story of a consistent, narrow lead for the i5-4690S across all Cinebench tests and Geekbench multi-core, with one notable exception. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 464 against 452 for the i3, a 2.6 percent advantage. The single-core R15 result is similar, with 65 versus 63, a 3.1 percent lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5 wins multi-core 1935 to 1887 (2.5 percent) and single-core 273 to 266 (2.6 percent). Cinebench R23 shows the same pattern: multi-core 4609 to 4493 (2.5 percent) and single-core 650 to 634 (2.5 percent).

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In multi-core, the i5-4690S extends its lead to 8.6 percent, scoring 3251 versus 2972 for the i3. However, in single-core Geekbench, the i3-1115G4E delivers a decisive 46.3 percent victory, scoring 1702 against 1163. This is a massive swing, suggesting the i3's newer architecture and higher IPC give it a substantial advantage in lightly-threaded workloads that are sensitive to single-thread performance.

The overall win count is 7-1 in favor of the i5-4690S, but the magnitude of the i3's single-core win is larger than any of the i5's victories. The i5's wins are all clustered in the 2.5 to 3.1 percent range, except for the 8.6 percent Geekbench multi-core result. This means the i5 is consistently faster, but never by a huge margin, while the i3 is much faster in one specific scenario.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i5-4690S is the more balanced performer for multi-threaded and mixed workloads. It wins 7 of 8 benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests and Geekbench multi-core, with leads ranging from 2.5 to 8.6 percent. For users running rendering tasks, video encoding, or other applications that utilize multiple cores, the i5's four physical cores provide a consistent edge over the i3's two cores with Hyper-Threading.

The Intel Core i3-1115G4E is the clear choice for single-threaded performance. Its 46.3 percent advantage in Geekbench single-core is the largest performance gap in the entire comparison. This makes it better suited for applications that rely heavily on a single core, such as older games, certain productivity tools, or lightly-threaded legacy software. The i3 also comes with modern platform features like PCIe Gen 4 and lower power consumption, which may be decisive for mobile or embedded designs.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, meaning neither CPU is overwhelmingly superior in aggregate. The i5-4690S is the safer pick for general-purpose desktop use, while the i3-1115G4E excels in specific single-thread scenarios and offers a more modern feature set for compact or power-constrained systems.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every specification field. The i3-1115G4E has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-4690S has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.20 GHz for the i3 and 3.20 GHz for the i5, though both boost to 3.90 GHz. The TDP is 15 W for the i3 and 65 W for the i5. The i3 uses the Intel BGA 1449 socket, while the i5 uses Intel Socket 1150.

The process node is 10 nm for the i3 and 22 nm for the i5, with die sizes of 144 mm² and 177 mm² respectively. The i5 lists 1,400 million transistors, a figure absent for the i3. Cache configurations differ: the i3 has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while the i5 has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. Both share 6 MB L3 cache. Memory support is DDR4/LPDDR4X for the i3 and DDR3 for the i5, with the i5 listing a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. PCIe support is Gen 4 with 4 lanes for the i3 and Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the i5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics G4 48EU for the i3 and Intel HD 4600 for the i5. The market segment is Mobile for the i3 and Desktop for the i5, with release dates of September 2020 and April 2014 respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4690S wins in all multi-threaded and most single-threaded Cinebench tests. It is the better choice for applications that scale with core count, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and batch processing. The 4-core design provides a 2.5 to 2.6 percent advantage in Cinebench R20 and R23 multi-core tests, and an 8.6 percent lead in Geekbench multi-core. For desktop users with a Socket 1150 motherboard already in place, the i5 offers a direct upgrade path with 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes for discrete graphics.

The Intel Core i3-1115G4E wins decisively in Geekbench single-core with a 46.3 percent margin. This makes it the stronger option for workloads that are latency-sensitive and don't use multiple threads, such as certain simulation software, single-threaded game engines, or interactive applications. The i3 also offers a modern mobile platform with PCIe Gen 4 and a 15 W TDP, making it ideal for fanless or battery-powered designs. Its support for DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory gives it an advantage in memory bandwidth flexibility, even though the i5 lists a specific 25.6 GB/s figure. For users prioritizing single-core responsiveness over multi-thread throughput, the i3-1115G4E is the clear winner.