Intel Core i5-4590S vs Intel Core i7-3770S Comparison

# The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-3770S is the stronger overall processor by a narrow margin, but the data tells a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests. The i7-3770S wins 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i5-4590S takes only 2. Yet the average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the i7-3770S averages 1498, while the i5-4590S averages 1493 — a 0.4% gap. Both processors sit at the 38th percentile of all CPUs.

Pick the i7-3770S if your workload is threaded rendering or encoding. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5251 versus 4338 for the i5-4590S — a 21% advantage. That edge repeats consistently across every Cinebench test, with deltas between 21% and 21.3%. The i7-3770S also holds the single-core Cinebench lead: 741 versus 612 in R23, a 21.1% margin. Its 8 threads versus 4 give it a structural advantage in heavily threaded applications.

Pick the i5-4590S if your workload is Geekbench-style integer and floating-point throughput. The i5-4590S scores 3289 multi-core versus 2220 for the i7-3770S — a 32.5% lead. In single-core Geekbench, it posts 1126 versus 655, a 41.8% gap. That is a massive reversal from the Cinebench results. The i5-4590S also has the newer Haswell architecture, a 177 mm² die versus 160 mm², and the HD 4600 integrated graphics versus the HD 4000.

The verdict: the i7-3770S is the better rendering CPU, while the i5-4590S is better for general-purpose single-threaded responsiveness and Geekbench-style workloads. The overall averages say these are peers — the i7-3770S is 0.4% ahead of the i5-4590S — so the choice depends entirely on which benchmark family matters more to you.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors, but they come from different architectural generations. The i7-3770S uses Ivy Bridge, while the i5-4590S uses Haswell. The i7-3770S has a die size of 160 mm², while the i5-4590S is larger at 177 mm².

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i7-3770S offers 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. The i5-4590S has 4 cores and 4 threads — no hyper-threading. This explains the i7-3770S's consistent multi-core Cinebench wins.

Cache configurations also diverge. The i7-3770S has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, matching the i5-4590S. The L3 cache, however, differs: the i7-3770S has 8 MB shared, while the i5-4590S has 6 MB shared. That 2 MB difference favors the i7-3770S in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support is identical on paper: both support DDR3 over a dual-channel memory bus, and neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3, though the i7-3770S specifies 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-4590S lists only "Gen 3" without a lane count.

Integrated graphics differ. The i7-3770S carries Intel HD 4000, while the i5-4590S carries Intel HD 4600. Both are integrated solutions, but the HD 4600 is the newer generation, which may matter for basic display output or Quick Sync workloads.

Sockets are incompatible. The i7-3770S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-4590S uses Intel Socket 1150. This means motherboard upgrades are non-transferable between the two. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either.

Release dates are roughly two years apart: the i7-3770S launched on 2012-04-28, and the i5-4590S on 2014-04-30. Both are desktop market segments from Intel, and both have a 65 W TDP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4590S has 4 threads. Both have 4 cores.

Q: Which processor performs better in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-4590S scores 3289 in Geekbench multi-core, compared to 2220 for the Intel Core i7-3770S. That is a 32.5% lead for the i5-4590S.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory over a dual-channel memory bus. Neither supports ECC memory.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S has an average benchmark score of 1498, while the Intel Core i5-4590S averages 1493. The i7-3770S is 0.4% ahead.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-4590S has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard socket?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-3770S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the Intel Core i5-4590S uses Intel Socket 1150.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3770S | Intel Core i5-4590S |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Haswell |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Haswell |

| Die Size | 160 mm² | 177 mm² |

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

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

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Release Date | 2012-04-28 | 2014-04-30 |

Identical specifications include: 4 cores, 65 W TDP, 22 nm process node, 1,400 million transistors, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC, no unlocked multiplier, and desktop market segment.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-3770S. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 529 versus 437 — a 21.1% win. The single-core R15 test shows 74 versus 61, a 21.3% margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core repeats the pattern: 2205 versus 1821, a 21.1% delta. Single-core R20 is 311 versus 257, a 21% gap. The R23 results match: multi-core 5251 versus 4338 (21% delta), single-core 741 versus 612 (21.1% delta). The consistency is striking — every Cinebench test lands within a 21% to 21.3% range, suggesting the i7-3770S's thread advantage translates uniformly across render workloads.

The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. The Intel Core i5-4590S wins multi-core with 3289 versus 2220, a 32.5% advantage. The single-core gap is even larger: 1126 versus 655, a 41.8% lead. These are the only two benchmark wins for the i5-4590S, but they are substantial. The 41.8% single-core Geekbench margin is the largest delta of any head-to-head test listed.

Nearest-rival data puts both chips in the same performance tier. The i7-3770S's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-8100T at 1500 average score, a -0.1% delta. The i5-4590S's nearest rival is the AMD Opteron 6344 at 1492, a 0.1% delta. Both processors sit adjacent to the same group of CPUs — the i3-8100T, i5-7500T, and Opteron 6344 — with deltas under 1% in all cases.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3770S dominates in threaded rendering workloads. Its 8 threads versus 4 deliver a consistent 21% advantage across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests. If your application scales with thread count — video encoding, 3D rendering, batch image processing — the i7-3770S is the clear choice. The 8 MB L3 cache also gives it a theoretical edge in cache-sensitive tasks. It wins 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks.

The Intel Core i5-4590S wins in Geekbench-style workloads. Its single-core Geekbench score of 1126 is 41.8% ahead of the i7-3770S, and its multi-core score of 3289 is 32.5% ahead. These are large margins in a different benchmark family. The newer Haswell architecture and HD 4600 integrated graphics give it advantages in general-purpose computing, particularly tasks that favor newer instruction sets or rely on the integrated GPU. It also has the larger die at 177 mm², which may indicate additional functional blocks.

The use-case split is therefore clear: the i7-3770S is the rendering and multi-threaded workhorse, while the i5-4590S is the better all-round performer for everyday responsive computing and Geekbench-style synthetic loads. Both sit at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, and their average scores differ by just 0.4%. Neither is a decisive winner overall — the choice hinges entirely on which benchmark family reflects your actual workload.