Intel Core i3-8300T vs Intel Core i5-4690S Comparison

The Intel Core i3-8300T and Intel Core i5-4690S are both quad-core desktop processors, but they come from different generations and platforms. The i3-8300T is a Coffee Lake part from 2018, while the i5-4690S is a Haswell part from 2014. In every benchmark recorded in the database, the i3-8300T comes out ahead, though the margins vary from a fraction of a percent to a clear 5.7% lead. The i5-4690S does have a higher boost clock, but that does not translate into a single benchmark win.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records eight head-to-head comparisons, and the i3-8300T wins all eight. The largest gap appears in Geekbench multi-core, where the i3-8300T scores 3436 against 3251 for the i5-4690S, a 5.7% advantage. That is the only test where the lead exceeds 2%. The other multi-core tests show smaller margins: Cinebench R15 multi-core gives 469 versus 464, a 1.1% lead; Cinebench R20 multi-core gives 1955 versus 1935, a 1% lead; and Cinebench R23 multi-core gives 4656 versus 4609, also a 1% lead.

Single-core results are even tighter. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i3-8300T scores 66 against 65, a 1.5% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 275 versus 273, a 0.7% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 657 versus 650, a 1.1% lead. Geekbench single-core shows 1171 versus 1163, a 0.7% lead. The i5-4690S has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the i3-8300T has no boost clock and runs at a fixed 3.20 GHz. Despite that, the i3-8300T still wins every single-core test, which points to a meaningful architectural advantage in per-clock performance.

The average benchmark score across all tests in the database is 1586 for the i3-8300T and 1551 for the i5-4690S. Both processors sit at the 39th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are in the same performance tier overall, but the i3-8300T is consistently ahead.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on different process nodes. The i3-8300T uses Intel's 14 nm process, while the i5-4690S uses the older 22 nm process. The die size reflects that: the i3-8300T measures 126 mm², while the i5-4690S is larger at 177 mm². The i5-4690S also has a listed transistor count of 1,400 million, but the i3-8300T does not have a transistor count recorded in the database.

Cache configuration differs as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the i3-8300T versus 6 MB shared on the i5-4690S. That extra 2 MB of L3 likely contributes to the i3-8300T's lead in multi-threaded workloads.

Memory support is a major split. The i3-8300T uses DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a peak bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-4690S uses DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, but with a peak bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i3-8300T also supports ECC memory, while the i5-4690S does not. This makes the i3-8300T more suitable for error-sensitive workloads, though both are desktop parts.

The integrated graphics differ. The i3-8300T carries UHD Graphics 630, while the i5-4690S has Intel HD 4600. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so the comparison is limited to the fact that they are different models.

The sockets are not compatible. The i3-8300T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-4690S uses Intel Socket 1150. That means a motherboard upgrade is required to move from one to the other. The i3-8300T has a TDP of 35 W, which is notably lower than the 65 W TDP of the i5-4690S. The i3-8300T also has a newer release date: April 2018 versus April 2014 for the i5-4690S. The i3-8300T is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-4690S has no production status listed.

Both CPUs have 4 cores and 4 threads, a base clock of 3.20 GHz, and the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both are desktop parts.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmarks, the i3-8300T wins every test. There is no benchmark in the database where the i5-4690S comes out ahead. The i5-4690S does have a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, which is higher than the i3-8300T's fixed 3.20 GHz, but that does not produce a win in any single-core or multi-core test. The i3-8300T's architectural improvements, including the newer process node, larger L3 cache, and faster memory bandwidth, appear to overcome the clock speed disadvantage.

The i3-8300T also has a lower TDP, 35 W versus 65 W, which means it draws less power under load. That is a practical advantage for compact builds or systems with limited cooling. The i3-8300T supports ECC memory, which the i5-4690S does not, so it can be used in systems that require error correction. The i5-4690S, on the other hand, uses DDR3 memory, which may be cheaper or more readily available in older systems, but the database does not include any performance metrics for memory compatibility.

The i5-4690S does have a higher boost clock, but the i3-8300T still wins single-core tests by small margins. That suggests the i3-8300T has better instructions per clock, even at a lower frequency. For users who already own a Socket 1150 motherboard and DDR3 memory, the i5-4690S could be a drop-in upgrade, but the i3-8300T requires a new motherboard and DDR4 memory.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-8300T outperforms the Intel Core i5-4690S in every benchmark recorded. The largest win is 5.7% in Geekbench multi-core, and the smallest is 0.7% in Cinebench R20 single-core and Geekbench single-core. The i3-8300T also has a lower TDP, supports ECC memory, and uses a newer process node. The i5-4690S has a higher boost clock, but that does not translate into any benchmark victory.

For a new build, the i3-8300T is the clear choice based on performance and efficiency. For an existing Socket 1150 system, the i5-4690S might be a reasonable upgrade if the motherboard and DDR3 memory are already in place, but the i3-8300T is the better processor in every measured metric. The i3-8300T had a launch MSRP of $138, while the i5-4690S had a launch MSRP of $224. That price difference, combined with the performance lead, makes the i3-8300T the more attractive option on paper.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The i3-8300T wins all multi-core tests. It scores 469 versus 464 in Cinebench R15, 1955 versus 1935 in R20, 4656 versus 4609 in R23, and 3436 versus 3251 in Geekbench multi-core.

Q: Does the i5-4690S's higher boost clock help it win any single-core test?

A: No. The i5-4690S has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, but the i3-8300T still wins every single-core test, with leads ranging from 0.7% to 1.5%.

Q: What memory types do these CPUs support?

A: The i3-8300T supports DDR4 memory with a peak bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-4690S supports DDR3 memory with a peak bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel buses.

Q: Do these CPUs support ECC memory?

A: The i3-8300T supports ECC memory. The i5-4690S does not.

Q: Are the sockets interchangeable?

A: No. The i3-8300T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-4690S uses Intel Socket 1150. They are not compatible.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i3-8300T has a TDP of 35 W, while the i5-4690S has a TDP of 65 W.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i3-8300T | Intel Core i5-4690S |

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

| TDP | 35 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Haswell |

| Process node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Die size | 126 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 630 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Boost clock | None | 3.90 GHz |

| Release date | April 2018 | April 2014 |

| Launch MSRP | $138 | $224 |

| Production status | End-of-life | Not specified |