Intel Core i5-2550K vs Intel Core i5-4690T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-2550K and Intel Core i5-4690T are both quad-core desktop processors, but they represent very different design philosophies from Intel. The 2550K is an older, high-clock, unlocked part from the Sandy Bridge era, while the 4690T is a later, power-sipping Haswell chip. The benchmark data reveals a clear and consistent performance hierarchy, but the underlying architecture and feature set tell a more nuanced story about which processor is the better fit for specific use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4690T wins all six benchmark comparisons. The margin is remarkably consistent across both single-core and multi-core workloads, hovering around the 7% mark.

In Cinebench R15, the 4690T scores 393 in the multi-core test against the 2550K’s 365, a delta of -7.1%. The single-core result is nearly identical, with the 4690T at 55 versus the 2550K’s 51, a -7.3% difference. This pattern holds in newer Cinebench versions. In R20, the 4690T posts 1640 multi-core and 231 single-core, while the 2550K manages 1523 and 215 respectively. The deltas are -7.1% and -6.9%. The latest R23 test shows the same story: 3905 versus 3628 multi-core (-7.1%) and 551 versus 512 single-core (-7.1%).

The consistency of these margins is striking. It suggests that the 4690T’s architectural advantage is not workload-specific; it is a uniform per-clock improvement. The 2550K has a higher base clock (3.40 GHz versus 2.50 GHz) and a higher boost clock (3.80 GHz versus 3.50 GHz), yet it still loses every race. This implies the newer Haswell core is simply more efficient at executing instructions, allowing the 4690T to overcome its lower clock speeds. The data does not show any single benchmark where the 2550K manages to close the gap, let alone pull ahead.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are separated by two major architectural generations. The 2550K is built on Sandy Bridge, a 32 nm process node, while the 4690T uses Haswell on a 22 nm node. This node shrink is a primary driver of efficiency, but the transistor counts tell a more complex story. The Haswell chip packs 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die, whereas the Sandy Bridge part has 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die. The newer chip crams more logic into less space, which explains its superior performance per clock.

Both processors feature four cores and four threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. Memory support is also the same on paper—dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth. However, the platform support diverges significantly. The 2550K uses Socket 1155 and PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes, while the 4690T uses Socket 1150 and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The newer PCIe standard offers higher potential bandwidth for add-in cards, a qualitative advantage for the 4690T.

Another key difference is integrated graphics. The 2550K has no integrated graphics at all, meaning it requires a discrete GPU to output a display. The 4690T includes Intel HD 4600, providing a built-in fallback for basic display tasks. The 2550K is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the 4690T has a locked multiplier. The 4690T also has a much lower TDP at 45 watts versus 95 watts for the 2550K, a figure that hints at substantial efficiency gains from the newer process and architecture.

Where Each One Wins

Given that the 4690T wins every benchmark, the discussion of "wins" is one-sided in terms of raw performance. However, the data allows for a nuanced view of where each CPU might be the better choice outside of pure compute throughput.

The 4690T is the clear winner for any scenario where processing speed is the sole criterion. Its consistent ~7% lead in both single and multi-threaded workloads makes it the stronger option for general productivity, web browsing, and lightly threaded applications. The presence of integrated graphics also gives it a versatility that the 2550K lacks, enabling a system to be used without a discrete graphics card.

The 2550K’s strengths are more qualitative. Its unlocked multiplier offers overclocking headroom, which could potentially close the performance gap in a custom cooling scenario. Its higher base clock of 3.40 GHz means it starts from a higher frequency, even if it loses the boost clock race. The data does not include overclocked results, so this remains speculative. For a user with an existing Socket 1155 platform, the 2550K might represent a drop-in upgrade path, whereas the 4690T would require a new motherboard due to the Socket 1150 change.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4690T outperform the 2550K in all tested benchmarks?

A: Yes. The 4690T wins all six head-to-head tests, including Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core variants. The deltas range from -6.9% to -7.3% in favor of the 4690T.

Q: How does the power consumption compare between the two processors?

A: The 4690T has a TDP of 45 watts, while the 2550K is rated at 95 watts. This indicates the 4690T is significantly more power-efficient, likely due to its newer 22 nm process versus the 32 nm process of the 2550K.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690T includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i5-2550K does not have any integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for video output.

Q: Are the two CPUs compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The 2550K uses Intel Socket 1155, while the 4690T uses Intel Socket 1150. They are not interchangeable on the same motherboard.

Q: Can the 2550K be overclocked?

A: Yes, the 2550K has an unlocked multiplier, indicated by the "K" suffix. The 4690T has a locked multiplier, so it cannot be overclocked in the same manner.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The 2550K has an average benchmark score of 1136, while the 4690T scores 1129. The 4690T’s average is slightly lower, despite winning all direct head-to-head comparisons, which may reflect differences in the benchmark suite composition.

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal: the Intel Core i5-4690T is the faster processor in every direct comparison. Its architectural efficiency from the Haswell design and 22 nm process allows it to beat the older, higher-clocked Sandy Bridge chip consistently. The 4690T is the better choice for any user prioritizing raw performance, lower power consumption, and the convenience of integrated graphics.

The 2550K is not without merit, but its appeal is niche. It is the only one of the two with an unlocked multiplier, making it the choice for overclocking enthusiasts on a legacy Socket 1155 platform. Its higher base clock is a minor consolation, but it does not translate into benchmark wins. For a new build or an upgrade where the platform is not a constraint, the 4690T is the clear winner. For those seeking maximum overclocking potential on an older socket, the 2550K retains a specific, data-supported purpose.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2550K | Intel Core i5-4690T |

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

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Haswell |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 177 mm² |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4600 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $235 | Not specified |