Intel Core i5-4590S vs Intel Core i7-4710HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4590S and Intel Core i7-4710HQ are both Haswell-era parts, but they target fundamentally different platforms: a desktop socket versus a mobile BGA package. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split, where the i7-4710HQ dominates in Cinebench tests while the i5-4590S decisively wins in Geekbench. This divergence is not just about raw core counts; it points to different performance characteristics under different workload types. The data shows the i7-4710HQ takes 6 of the 8 head-to-head benchmarks, yet the i5-4590S claims the two most lopsided victories.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is the complete sweep by the Intel Core i7-4710HQ across the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-4710HQ scores 472 against the i5-4590S’s 437, a 7.4% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap, with the i7-4710HQ at 66 points versus 61 points for the i5-4590S, a 7.6% difference. This consistency continues through the newer Cinebench versions: R20 multi-core has the i7-4710HQ ahead by 7.6% (1970 vs 1821), and R23 multi-core shows a 7.5% lead (4692 vs 4338). Even in Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-4710HQ maintains a 7.6% edge (278 vs 257). The pattern is remarkably uniform, suggesting a consistent per-thread performance advantage for the mobile chip in these rendering workloads.

The Geekbench results, however, tell a completely different story. Here, the Intel Core i5-4590S wins big. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-4590S scores 3289, which is a substantial 22.1% higher than the i7-4710HQ’s 2694. The single-core Geekbench result is similarly lopsided: the i5-4590S posts 1126 versus the i7-4710HQ’s 947, an 18.9% margin. These are the largest deltas in either direction across all benchmarks. This inversion is a critical clue for understanding the architectural and configuration differences between the two chips, as it shows that the i7-4710HQ’s advantages in Cinebench do not translate to Geekbench.

Looking at the aggregate benchmark scores, the two processors are nearly identical. The i5-4590S has an average benchmark score of 1493, while the i7-4710HQ sits at 1473. This places them both in the 38th percentile of all CPUs tracked. The nearest rivals for the i5-4590S include the AMD Opteron 6344 at an average score of 1492 (a 0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i7-3770S at 1498 (-0.4% delta). The i7-4710HQ’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-5575R at 1478 (-0.3% delta) and the Intel Core i5-7500T at 1483 (-0.7% delta). This data suggests that despite their different benchmark profiles, the overall average performance of these two chips is effectively a tie, with the i5-4590S holding a minimal 1.4% edge in average score.

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced verdict, not a simple winner. If the workload is heavily reliant on Cinebench-style rendering, the Intel Core i7-4710HQ is the clear choice, consistently outperforming the i5-4590S by roughly 7.5% across all versions of that benchmark. This advantage is likely tied to its higher thread count, which allows it to process more rendering tasks in parallel. For any user whose primary applications are video rendering, 3D modeling, or other tasks that scale with thread count, the i7-4710HQ’s consistent lead in this specific benchmark family is the decisive factor.

However, for applications that resemble Geekbench’s test patterns, the Intel Core i5-4590S is the outright winner. Its 22.1% multi-core and 18.9% single-core leads in Geekbench are massive. This suggests that for general desktop productivity, everyday multitasking, and certain types of software that Geekbench models, the i5-4590S is significantly faster. The data implies that the i5-4590S offers superior performance in tasks that are not purely thread-scaled, even though it lacks the i7-4710HQ’s Hyper-Threading.

In the aggregate, the two chips are statistical peers. The i5-4590S’s average score of 1493 is only 1.4% higher than the i7-4710HQ’s 1473. The choice, therefore, should be dictated by the specific application suite. The i7-4710HQ is for thread-hungry rendering workloads, while the i5-4590S is for broader, Geekbench-style performance. Given that the i7-4710HQ is a mobile part and the i5-4590S is a desktop part, the platform is likely predetermined by the user’s system, but if one were choosing between the two for a new build, the benchmark data strongly suggests matching the CPU to the dominant software type.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 22 nm process node and use the Haswell microarchitecture, but they belong to different sub-families. The i5-4590S is labeled with the codename “Haswell,” while the i7-4710HQ is listed with the codename “Crystalwell.” This distinction is notable, as Crystalwell is a variant of Haswell that typically includes an integrated voltage regulator and, in some configurations, larger L4 cache, though the data here does not list a vCache or L4. The die size differs significantly: the i7-4710HQ has a die size of 264 mm², while the i5-4590S has a smaller 177 mm² die. Both chips contain the same transistor count of 1,400 million.

The core and thread configurations are a primary architectural difference. The i5-4590S has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning it does not support Hyper-Threading. The i7-4710HQ also has 4 cores, but it has 8 threads, indicating that Hyper-Threading is enabled. This is the most likely source of the i7-4710HQ’s advantage in multi-threaded Cinebench tests. Both processors share the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The integrated graphics are also identical, with both featuring Intel HD 4600.

The market segments and sockets could not be more different. The i5-4590S is a desktop part for Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-4710HQ is a mobile processor soldered onto Intel BGA 1364. This is a fundamental platform separation. The i7-4710HQ’s production status is listed as “End-of-life,” while the i5-4590S does not have a production status listed. The i7-4710HQ also has a part number (SR1PX), whereas the i5-4590S does not.

Specification Differences

The specifications reveal a clear trade-off between clock speed and power. The Intel Core i5-4590S has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, which are higher than the i7-4710HQ’s base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 3.50 GHz. Despite its lower clocks, the i7-4710HQ is rated for a lower TDP of 47 watts, while the i5-4590S has a TDP of 65 watts. This makes the i7-4710HQ more power-efficient on paper, which is a critical factor for its mobile platform.

The memory support is identical in type: both use DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration. However, the i7-4710HQ explicitly lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4590S does not provide a bandwidth figure in the data. Both chips use PCIe Gen 3, but the i7-4710HQ specifies “16 Lanes(CPU only),” while the i5-4590S does not list a lane count. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have a locked multiplier.

The release dates are close, with the i7-4710HQ released on 2014-03-31 and the i5-4590S on 2014-04-30. Neither processor has a launch MSRP listed. The generation names are also different: the i5-4590S is part of “Core i5 (Haswell),” while the i7-4710HQ is part of “Core i7 (Crystal Well).” The i5-4590S is a desktop segment product, and the i7-4710HQ is a mobile segment product, which is the most defining difference between the two.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-4710HQ is faster, scoring 4692 compared to the Intel Core i5-4590S’s 4338, a 7.5% difference.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core Geekbench score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4590S has a significantly higher score of 1126, which is 18.9% higher than the Intel Core i7-4710HQ’s 947.

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

A: No. The Intel Core i5-4590S has 4 threads, while the Intel Core i7-4710HQ has 8 threads, despite both having 4 physical cores.

Q: What is the TDP of the mobile processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-4710HQ has a TDP of 47 watts, which is lower than the Intel Core i5-4590S’s 65 watts.

Q: Are both processors based on the same process node?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-4590S and the Intel Core i7-4710HQ are built on a 22 nm process node.

Q: Which processor has a larger die size?

A: The Intel Core i7-4710HQ has a die size of 264 mm², which is larger than the Intel Core i5-4590S’s 177 mm².

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-4710HQ wins in every Cinebench test, which is a strong indicator for rendering workloads. The data shows consistent leads of around 7.4% to 7.6% across R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core tests. This makes the i7-4710HQ the better choice for video editing, 3D animation, and any application that relies heavily on Cinebench-style rendering algorithms. Its 8 threads are clearly being utilized effectively in these scenarios. The lower TDP of 47 watts also makes it suitable for a laptop where thermal and power constraints are present.

The Intel Core i5-4590S wins decisively in Geekbench, with a 22.1% multi-core lead and an 18.9% single-core lead. This suggests it is the superior processor for general-purpose computing tasks that Geekbench models, such as web browsing, office productivity, image editing, and software compilation. The higher base and boost clocks of 2.90 GHz and 3.60 GHz likely contribute to this performance in less thread-scaled applications. For a desktop user who values responsiveness in everyday tasks and applications that do not fully utilize more than 4 threads, the i5-4590S is the winner based on the data.

The overall average benchmark score is nearly identical, with the i5-4590S at 1493 and the i7-4710HQ at 1473. This means that a mixed workload would likely result in a tie. The decision ultimately hinges on the specific software. The i7-4710HQ is the pick for rendering and multi-threaded content creation, while the i5-4590S is the pick for general desktop speed and Geekbench-style workloads. The platform is a major factor, as the i5-4590S is a desktop chip and the i7-4710HQ is a mobile chip, so the user’s system form factor will likely determine which is available.