Intel Core i5-4590S vs Intel Core i5-5575R Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4590S and Intel Core i5-5575R are two 65W desktop processors from different Intel generations, yet benchmark results show them landing in nearly the same performance tier. The data reveals a consistent, albeit narrow, edge for the Haswell-based i5-4590S across every single test, despite the newer 14nm process and more advanced integrated graphics of the Broadwell-based i5-5575R. This head-to-head comparison quantifies just how close these two four-core, four-thread parts really are in raw compute.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core i5-4590S comes in the Geekbench single-core test, where it scores 1126 against the i5-5575R’s 1072. That is a 5% delta, the largest margin seen in any benchmark between the two chips. This suggests that despite the newer architecture of the i5-5575R, the higher boost clock of the i5-4590S — 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz — provides a tangible advantage in lightly threaded workloads that depend on raw frequency.

The Geekbench multi-core result also favors the i5-4590S, with a score of 3289 versus 3247. That 1.3% delta is the second-largest gap between the two processors. While both chips feature the same core and thread counts, the i5-4590S’s higher base clock of 2.90 GHz against the i5-5575R’s 2.80 GHz appears to translate into a measurable lead when all four cores are active.

Cinebench results tell a similar story, though with even tighter margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4590S scores 437 against 435, a 0.5% delta. The single-core R15 test is a dead heat, with both processors scoring exactly 61. The Cinebench R20 suite mirrors this pattern: the i5-4590S leads 1821 to 1816 in multi-core (0.3% delta) and 257 to 256 in single-core (0.4% delta). Cinebench R23 continues the trend, with the i5-4590S ahead 4338 to 4324 in multi-core and 612 to 610 in single-core, each showing a 0.3% delta.

Across all eight benchmarks, the Intel Core i5-4590S wins outright, with zero victories for the i5-5575R. The average benchmark scores reflect this overall parity: the i5-4590S averages 1493, while the i5-5575R averages 1478. Both processors sit at the 38th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the same performance bracket. The nearest rivals for the i5-4590S include the AMD Opteron 6344 (average score 1492, a 0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i5-7500T (average 1483, a 0.7% difference). The i5-5575R’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-7500T at 1483, with a -0.4% delta, followed by the Intel Core i7-4710HQ at 1473 (0.4% delta).

The Verdict

From a pure compute standpoint, the data consistently favors the Intel Core i5-4590S. It wins every benchmark in the comparison, with the largest margin being a 5% lead in Geekbench single-core. Buyers prioritizing maximum CPU performance in existing Socket 1150 platforms should choose the i5-4590S, as its higher clock speeds deliver a measurable advantage in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks. The i5-5575R, while nearly identical in performance, falls slightly behind in every measured test.

However, the i5-5575R is not without its own merits. It is the only one of the two with a stated launch MSRP of $265, and its integrated graphics are the Iris Pro Graphics 6200, a significantly more capable GPU solution than the Intel HD 4600 found in the i5-4590S. For a desktop build that relies heavily on integrated graphics without a discrete card, the i5-5575R could be the more balanced choice, despite its small compute deficit. The i5-5575R also carries an "Active" production status, while the i5-4590S has none listed, potentially indicating longer availability for the newer part. The i5-5575R’s socket is Intel BGA 1364, which is a soldered, non-upgradeable platform, whereas the i5-4590S uses Socket 1150, offering more flexibility in motherboard selection. Strictly by the numbers, the i5-4590S is the faster processor; the i5-5575R is the one with superior graphics and a newer process node.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4590S leads in all multi-core tests. It scores 437 in Cinebench R15, 1821 in Cinebench R20, 4338 in Cinebench R23, and 3289 in Geekbench, compared to the i5-5575R’s 435, 1816, 4324, and 3247 respectively.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare between the two chips?

A: The i5-4590S wins every single-core test. The largest margin is 5% in Geekbench (1126 vs 1072), while the Cinebench R15 single-core test is a tie at 61 points. In Cinebench R20 and R23, the i5-4590S leads by 0.4% (257 vs 256) and 0.3% (612 vs 610) respectively.

Q: What is the performance gap in the Geekbench multi-core test?

A: The i5-4590S scores 3289 against the i5-5575R’s 3247, resulting in a 1.3% delta in favor of the i5-4590S.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-4590S and the Intel Core i5-5575R have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-4590S has an average benchmark score of 1493, while the Intel Core i5-5575R averages 1478.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-4590S has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i5-5575R’s boost clock of 3.30 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The base clock of the i5-4590S is 2.90 GHz, while the i5-5575R runs at 2.80 GHz. Boost clocks also favor the i5-4590S at 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. The socket types are entirely different: the i5-4590S uses Intel Socket 1150, whereas the i5-5575R uses Intel BGA 1364. They also differ in L3 cache, with the i5-4590S offering 6 MB (shared) and the i5-5575R providing 4 MB (shared). The integrated graphics are distinct, with the i5-4590S featuring Intel HD 4600 and the i5-5575R featuring Iris Pro Graphics 6200. The i5-5575R also lists a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s and a PCIe configuration of "Gen 3, 16 Lanes(CPU only)," while these fields are not specified for the i5-4590S. The i5-5575R has a launch MSRP of $265 and a part number of SR2AK, whereas the i5-4590S has no MSRP or part number listed.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two chips is clear. The i5-4590S is built on Intel’s Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The i5-5575R is a Broadwell part manufactured on a newer 14 nm process, with a slightly larger die size of 182 mm² and no transistor count listed. Both chips share the same L1 cache of 64 KB per core and L2 cache of 256 KB per core, but their L3 caches differ as noted above. The i5-4590S was released on 2014-04-30, while the i5-5575R is a later release dated 2015-05-14. Both use dual-channel DDR3 memory and do not support ECC. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-5575R is listed as "Active" in production status, while the i5-4590S has no production status specified. These differences highlight a generational shift toward a denser process and a more powerful integrated GPU, even as raw CPU performance remained largely static.