Intel Core i5-1030NG7 vs Intel Core i5-4690 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 and the Intel Core i5-4690 are separated by six years of silicon evolution, yet the benchmark data reveals a remarkable statistical dead heat. The mobile Ice Lake-Y part, with a 10 W TDP, matches the desktop Haswell chip, which draws 84 W, in almost every measurable Cinebench test. The average benchmark score for the 1030NG7 is 1376, while the 4690 sits at 1375, a difference of just 0.1%. This is not a generational leap; it is a parallel performance curve achieved through radically different design philosophies.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are defined by their uniformity. Across all six Cinebench tests, the 1030NG7 claims victory, but the margins are almost entirely symbolic. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, both processors score an identical 479 points, resulting in a 0% delta. The single-core R15 test is equally tied at 67 points for each chip.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the 1030NG7 edges ahead with a multicore score of 1998 against the 4690's 1996, a 0.1% advantage. The R20 single-core scores are again dead even at 281 points. The most demanding workload, Cinebench R23, shows the same pattern: the 1030NG7 posts 4759 multicore points, just 5 points ahead of the 4690's 4754, another 0.1% delta. The R23 single-core test finishes tied at 671 points.

The data indicates a 6-0 win tally for the 1030NG7, but this is a technicality rather than a performance statement. A 0.1% lead is within run-to-run variance for any benchmark suite. What matters more is that the 1030NG7 achieves parity with a desktop processor that consumes over eight times the power. The 4690's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz cannot overcome the architectural efficiency of the newer chip, which clocks at just 1.10 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The 1030NG7's 8 threads versus the 4690's 4 threads provide the multi-threaded edge, allowing it to match or slightly exceed the older chip's throughput despite a massive clock disadvantage.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent distinct eras of Intel design. The 1030NG7 is built on Ice Lake-Y, using the Sunny Cove microarchitecture on a 10 nm process node. Its die size is 123 mm². The 4690 is Haswell, fabricated on a 22 nm process with a much larger 177 mm² die containing 1,400 million transistors. The process shrink is the primary enabler of the 1030NG7's efficiency, allowing it to deliver comparable performance while operating at a 10 W TDP versus the 4690's 84 W.

Core and cache configurations differ significantly. Both chips feature 4 physical cores, but the 1030NG7 adds Hyper-Threading for 8 threads, while the 4690 is a straight 4-core/4-thread part. The L1 cache is larger on the newer chip at 80 KB per core versus 64 KB per core on the 4690. L2 cache is identical at 256 KB per core, and both share 6 MB of L3 cache. The memory controllers diverge: the 1030NG7 supports DDR4 in dual-channel mode with a rated bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the 4690 uses older DDR3, also dual-channel, with no bandwidth figure listed in the data.

Integrated graphics reflect the generational gap. The 1030NG7 packs Iris Plus with 64 execution units, a significant upgrade over the 4690's Intel HD 4600. Both are mobile and desktop parts respectively, with the 1030NG7 using the Intel BGA 1044 socket and the 4690 using the desktop Intel Socket 1150. Both support PCIe Gen 3, and neither offers ECC memory or an unlocked multiplier. The 1030NG7 was released in March 2020 and is marked end-of-life, while the 4690 launched in April 2014.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results show the 1030NG7 winning in every recorded category, but the practical interpretation is more nuanced. In multi-threaded workloads, the 1030NG7's hyper-threading provides a consistent, if marginal, advantage. The Cinebench R20 multicore test shows a 2-point lead, and R23 multicore shows a 5-point lead. These are negligible margins, but they do trend in favor of the newer chip across all tests.

The 4690's strengths are not visible in the Cinebench suite but are implied by its specifications. Its 3.80 GHz boost clock is 0.30 GHz higher than the 1030NG7's 3.50 GHz boost, which could translate to better responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks that are not captured by these specific benchmarks. However, the single-core Cinebench scores are identical at 671 points in R23, suggesting that the newer architecture's instructions-per-clock efficiency fully compensates for the clock deficit. The 4690's desktop socket and 84 W TDP allow for more robust cooling solutions, potentially sustaining boost clocks longer under sustained load, but the data does not include such sustained-load tests.

For the 1030NG7, the wins are about efficiency and feature set. It delivers the same performance at a fraction of the power, making it the clear choice for fanless or ultra-portable designs. Its Iris Plus graphics with 64 EUs are in a different class than the HD 4600, providing a substantial upgrade for casual gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks without a discrete card. The DDR4 memory support and higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s also give it a modern platform advantage.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 is the pick for anyone prioritizing power efficiency and integrated graphics. It matches the 4690's Cinebench performance while drawing 10 W versus 84 W, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals are paramount. Its 8 threads and Iris Plus graphics provide a more complete mobile package.

The Intel Core i5-4690 remains a viable desktop processor for legacy systems. If you already own a Socket 1150 motherboard and DDR3 memory, there is no performance reason to upgrade to the 1030NG7, as the benchmark scores are effectively identical. The 4690's higher clocks may also offer slight advantages in single-threaded scenarios not captured by the Cinebench suite, though the identical single-core scores suggest this is minimal.

Neutral analysis from the nearest rivals confirms the positioning. The 1030NG7's closest competitor is the 4690 itself, with a 0.1% delta. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 and Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U trail by 0.2%, while the Intel Core i7-3740QM sits 0.1% behind the 1030NG7. Both chips occupy the 36th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are statistically indistinguishable in overall performance. The 1030NG7 offers modern features and efficiency; the 4690 offers a proven desktop platform. Choose based on your platform needs, not raw performance, as the data shows no meaningful difference.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 scores 4759 points versus the Intel Core i5-4690's 4754 points, a 0.1% difference. This is within statistical noise and effectively a tie.

Q: How do the thread counts compare?

A: The 1030NG7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the 4690 has 4 cores and 4 threads. The 1030NG7's hyper-threading provides a multi-threaded advantage, though it only results in marginal benchmark wins.

Q: What are the power consumption figures?

A: The 1030NG7 has a 10 W TDP, while the 4690 has an 84 W TDP. The 1030NG7 delivers comparable performance using significantly less power.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The 1030NG7 supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the 4690 supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode with no bandwidth figure listed.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The 1030NG7 features Iris Plus with 64 execution units, which is a more capable integrated GPU than the 4690's Intel HD 4600. The benchmark data does not include graphics tests, but the specification difference is substantial.

Q: Are these CPUs comparable in overall benchmark scores?

A: Yes. The 1030NG7 has an average benchmark score of 1376, and the 4690 has 1375, a 0.1% difference. Both sit at the 36th percentile of all CPUs.