Intel Core i3-4150 vs Intel Core i5-4690T Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-4690T is the clear winner in every recorded benchmark. It takes all five head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 35.2% to 35.9% over the Core i3-4150. If your workload leans on multi-threaded rendering or single-thread responsiveness, the i5-4690T is the pick. The Core i3-4150, however, carries a launch MSRP of $117, which is the only pricing data available in the database. That makes it the more accessible entry point, though its benchmark scores trail the i5 by roughly a third across the board. For a builder who needs maximum compute throughput from this socket, the i5-4690T is the obvious choice. For someone who only needs basic desktop responsiveness and wants to spend less upfront, the i3-4150 still works, but the performance gap is substantial.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Haswell architecture, built on Intel's 22 nm process node. Both use the Intel Socket 1150 platform, and both have the same transistor count, 1,400 million, on a 177 mm² die. They also share identical L1 and L2 cache layouts: 64 KB per core for L1 and 256 KB per core for L2. The key architectural split is in core count and L3 cache. The i5-4690T has four physical cores with four threads, while the i3-4150 has two physical cores with four threads via Hyper-Threading. The i5 also carries 6 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 3 MB found on the i3. Clock behavior differs too: the i5 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz with a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, while the i3 runs at a fixed 3.50 GHz with no boost capability. The i5 is rated at 45 W TDP, lower than the i3's 54 W TDP, which is notable given the i5's extra cores. Integrated graphics also differ: the i5 uses Intel HD 4600, while the i3 uses Intel HD 4400. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i3 is marked as end-of-life in the database, while the i5 does not carry that status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The i5-4690T has four physical cores and four threads. The i3-4150 has two physical cores and four threads, meaning it relies on Hyper-Threading to match the thread count.

Q: Does the i3-4150 have a boost clock?

A: No. The i3-4150 runs at a fixed 3.50 GHz base clock with no boost clock listed. The i5-4690T starts at 2.50 GHz and boosts up to 3.50 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each CPU have?

A: The i5-4690T has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The i3-4150 has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, exactly half the i5's amount.

Q: Which CPU has lower power consumption?

A: The i5-4690T has a TDP of 45 W, which is lower than the i3-4150's 54 W TDP, despite the i5 having more cores.

Q: Are both CPUs on the same socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1150 and share the same Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node.

Q: What is the integrated graphics difference?

A: The i5-4690T includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the i3-4150 includes Intel HD 4400. Both are integrated into the CPU.

Specification Differences

The database records the following differences between the two processors:

• Cores: i5-4690T has 4, i3-4150 has 2.
• Threads: i5-4690T has 4, i3-4150 has 4.
• Base clock: i5-4690T is 2.50 GHz, i3-4150 is 3.50 GHz.
• Boost clock: i5-4690T is 3.50 GHz, i3-4150 has none.
• TDP: i5-4690T is 45 W, i3-4150 is 54 W.
• L3 cache: i5-4690T has 6 MB, i3-4150 has 3 MB.
• Integrated graphics: i5-4690T has Intel HD 4600, i3-4150 has Intel HD 4400.
• Production status: i3-4150 is end-of-life, i5-4690T has no status listed.
• Launch MSRP: i3-4150 is $117, i5-4690T has no listed MSRP.

All other fields, including socket, architecture, process node, foundry, transistor count, die size, L1 and L2 cache, memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, ECC support, PCIe lanes, market segment, release date, and multiplier unlock status, are identical.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are one-sided. The i5-4690T wins all five recorded tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5 scores 393 against the i3's 290, a 35.5% advantage. The R20 multicore test shows 1640 versus 1212, a 35.3% edge. Single-core R20 results are 231 versus 170, which is a 35.9% gap, the largest recorded margin. In R23 multicore, the i5 hits 3905 while the i3 manages 2888, a 35.2% lead. The R23 single-core test shows 551 versus 407, a 35.4% difference. The pattern is remarkably consistent: every test lands within the 35.2% to 35.9% range, and the i5 wins by a similar proportion regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. The i3 does not win a single benchmark in the comparison set. The average benchmark scores reflect this too: the i5 has an average score of 1129, while the i3 averages 1119, a modest overall gap that is smaller than the Cinebench deltas because the i3 also has Geekbench results in its database entry, which are not part of the head-to-head set.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4690T wins everywhere in the recorded data. Multi-threaded rendering is its strongest suit: its four physical cores give it a 35.3% lead in Cinebench R20 multicore and a 35.2% lead in R23 multicore. Single-thread performance is equally dominant, with 35.9% and 35.4% advantages in R20 and R23 single-core tests respectively. This means the i5 is the better choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, software compilation, and any workload that scales across cores. It also wins in lightly threaded tasks like web browsing, office applications, and older games that rely on single-core speed. The lower TDP of 45 W versus 54 W is an additional point in its favor for compact or quiet builds, since it produces less heat while delivering more performance.

The i3-4150 has no benchmark wins in this comparison. Its strengths are contextual rather than absolute. It has a 3.50 GHz base clock, which matches the i5's boost clock, so in simple tasks that do not stress all cores, the i3 can feel responsive. It also has a launch MSRP of $117, which is the only price figure in the database, making it the lower-cost entry point if budget is the sole consideration. Its end-of-life status, however, suggests limited availability. For a builder who only needs a basic office machine or a lightweight home server, the i3's dual cores with Hyper-Threading are sufficient, and the higher base clock helps with snappy single-thread interaction. But the benchmark data is unambiguous: the i5-4690T outperforms the i3-4150 by roughly 35% in every test, and it does so while drawing less power. If the choice is between these two on the same socket, the i5 is the better investment for any performance-oriented task. The i3 only makes sense when the absolute lowest entry cost matters more than the substantial performance gap.