CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4590
Core i5-7400
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i5-4590 vs Intel Core i5-7400
The Intel Core i5-4590 and Intel Core i5-7400 are both quad-core desktop processors, but the benchmark data reveals a clear split: the newer i5-7400 wins the majority of workloads (10 wins versus 9), while the older i5-4590 takes decisive victories in specific compute-heavy tasks. The i5-7400 edges ahead in Cinebench multi-core and single-core tests across all versions, along with PassMark multithread and physics tests, while the i5-4590 dominates in integer math, prime number finding, random string sorting, and Geekbench. This is not a generational landslide; it is a nuanced matchup where the older chip's higher clock speeds and the newer chip's architectural efficiency battle to a near-stalemate.
Where Each One Wins
The i5-7400 is the consistent winner in rendering and threaded productivity workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 469 against 460 for the i5-4590, a 1.9% advantage that repeats across R20 (1956 vs 1920) and R23 (4658 vs 4573), each with a 1.8% delta. Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern: the i5-7400 leads by 3% in R15 (66 vs 64) and 1.8% in both R20 (275 vs 270) and R23 (657 vs 645). PassMark multithread also favors the i5-7400 (5475 vs 5373, 1.9% ahead), and its strongest win in this category is PassMark physics, where it scores 438 versus 402, an 8.2% margin.
The i5-4590, however, wins the workloads that stress integer arithmetic and memory access patterns. Its biggest victory is PassMark find prime numbers: 32 versus 27, an 18.5% lead. It also takes PassMark integer math by 11% (15862 vs 14293) and random string sorting by 10.1% (10238 vs 9301). Geekbench multi-core is another major win for the older chip: 3156 versus 2740, a 15.2% margin that is the largest of any benchmark in this comparison. Single-core Geekbench also goes to the i5-4590 (1077 vs 1043, 3.3% ahead), along with narrow wins in floating point math (12057 vs 12042) and single-thread PassMark (2081 vs 2074).
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The i5-4590 is based on Haswell, built on Intel's 22 nm process, while the i5-7400 uses Kaby Lake on the 14 nm node. This process shrink is the primary reason the i5-7400 has a lower thermal design power: 65 W versus 84 W for the i5-4590, despite similar performance. The i5-4590 has a die size of 177 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors; the i5-7400's die size and transistor count are not listed in the data.
Both chips have 4 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The socket differs, the i5-4590 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-7400 uses Socket 1151, meaning they are not drop-in interchangeable. Memory support also diverges: the i5-4590 supports DDR3, while the i5-7400 supports DDR4 with a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s (the i5-4590 has no bandwidth figure). Both support PCIe Gen 3, though the i5-7400 specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither has ECC memory support or an unlocked multiplier.
The integrated graphics differ: the i5-4590 has Intel HD 4600, while the i5-7400 has HD 630. The i5-7400 is marked as "Active" production status, while the i5-4590 has no production status listed. The i5-7400 has a part number (SR32W) and was released on 2017-01-02, whereas the i5-4590 was released on 2014-04-30.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The largest single win in the entire comparison belongs to the i5-4590 in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 3156 against the i5-7400's 2740, a 15.2% advantage. This is particularly striking because the i5-7400 wins every Cinebench test, yet the i5-4590's Geekbench result suggests its older architecture handles certain multi-threaded workloads more efficiently. The i5-4590 also delivers a 18.5% win in PassMark find prime numbers (32 vs 27), which is the largest percentage delta of any test.
The i5-7400's most dominant win is PassMark data encryption: it scores 1611 versus 1353, a 16% margin. This is followed by PassMark physics (438 vs 402, 8.2%) and PassMark extended instructions (6452 vs 6133, 4.9%). The i5-7400 also wins PassMark multithread (5475 vs 5373, 1.9%) and all six Cinebench variations, with margins between 1.8% and 3%.
The i5-4590 counters with PassMark integer math (15862 vs 14293, 11%) and random string sorting (10238 vs 9301, 10.1%). It also wins Geekbench single-core (1077 vs 1043, 3.3%), PassMark single-thread (2081 vs 2074, 0.3%), and floating point math (12057 vs 12042, 0.1%). The narrowest margin is floating point math, where the two are essentially tied. The overall win count is nearly even: 9 for the i5-4590 and 10 for the i5-7400, with the average benchmark score slightly favoring the i5-4590 (7609 vs 7469).
Specification Differences
The most consequential spec difference is the socket: the i5-4590 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-7400 uses Socket 1151. This means upgrading from one to the other requires a new motherboard. The process node and TDP are also major differentiators, the i5-7400's 14 nm process versus 22 nm for the i5-4590, and 65 W TDP versus 84 W. Clock speeds favor the i5-4590: it has a 3.30 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost, while the i5-7400 runs at 3.00 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. Memory support differs as well: DDR3 for the i5-4590, DDR4 for the i5-7400, with the i5-7400's dual-channel bus rated at 38.4 GB/s.
The integrated graphics units are different models (HD 4600 vs HD 630), and the PCIe configuration is listed only for the i5-7400 as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i5-7400 has a part number (SR32W) and is marked as an active production part, while the i5-4590 lacks a part number and production status. Both have the same core/thread count, L1/L2/L3 cache sizes, dual-channel memory bus, and no ECC support. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, and neither has a launch MSRP listed in the data.
FAQ
Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?
A: The Intel Core i5-7400 scores 4658 versus 4573 for the i5-4590, a 1.8% advantage for the i5-7400.
Q: Does the older i5-4590 win any benchmarks by a large margin?
A: Yes, it wins Geekbench multi-core by 15.2% (3156 vs 2740) and PassMark find prime numbers by 18.5% (32 vs 27).
Q: What is the biggest single benchmark win for the i5-7400?
A: The i5-7400 wins PassMark data encryption by 16% (1611 vs 1353).
Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?
A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads, with identical L1 (64 KB per core), L2 (256 KB per core), and L3 (6 MB shared) cache configurations.
Q: Can I use the same motherboard for both CPUs?
A: No, the i5-4590 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-7400 uses Socket 1151.
Q: Which CPU has a lower TDP?
A: The i5-7400 has a TDP of 65 W, while the i5-4590 has a TDP of 84 W.
The Verdict
The data supports a clear pick for users who prioritize rendering and synthetic multithread workloads: the Intel Core i5-7400. It wins every Cinebench test, PassMark multithread, and PassMark physics, with margins that, while modest (1.8% to 3%), are consistent across all three Cinebench versions. Its 16% win in data encryption and 8.2% win in physics further reinforce its strength in those specific tasks. The i5-7400 also offers a lower TDP (65 W vs 84 W), a newer 14 nm process, and support for DDR4 memory with a listed bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.
The i5-4590, however, is the better choice for workloads involving integer-heavy computation and memory sorting. Its 18.5% lead in prime number finding and 11% lead in integer math are substantial, and its 15.2% Geekbench multi-core win suggests real-world advantages in certain multi-threaded applications that the Cinebench suite does not capture. The i5-4590 also wins single-threaded PassMark by a hair (2081 vs 2074) and Geekbench single-core by 3.3%.
The verdict depends on the workload. For general productivity, rendering, and encryption tasks, the i5-7400's consistent, if narrow, wins make it the safer default. For integer math, sorting, and prime-number computations, the i5-4590's larger margins are decisive. The overall average benchmark score slightly favors the i5-4590 (7609 vs 7469), and both CPUs sit at the 63rd percentile of all CPUs, but the i5-7400's architectural advantages in power efficiency and memory bandwidth give it the edge for most users. The i5-4590 remains a strong option for specific compute-heavy tasks where its clock speed advantage (3.70 GHz boost vs 3.50 GHz) translates into tangible wins.