Intel Core i5-4590S vs Intel Core i7-4712HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4590S and Intel Core i7-4712HQ are both Haswell-generation parts, but they target different market segments: the i5-4590S is a desktop chip, while the i7-4712HQ is a mobile processor. The recorded head-to-head data reveals a clear split: the i7-4712HQ wins six of eight benchmarks, but the i5-4590S dominates the remaining two by a wide margin. This divergence invites a closer look at what each chip is designed to do and what the numbers actually imply.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite consistently favors the Intel Core i7-4712HQ. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7 scores 454 against the i5's 437, a 3.7% lead. The single-core test shows a similar pattern: 64 versus 61, a 4.7% advantage for the i7. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7 again leads in multicore with 1895 versus 1821 (3.9% ahead) and in single-core with 267 versus 257 (3.7% ahead). Cinebench R23 repeats the trend: multicore 4512 versus 4338 (3.9% lead) and single-core 637 versus 612 (3.9% lead). Across all six Cinebench tests, the i7-4712HQ wins by margins between 3.7% and 4.7%, a narrow but consistent edge.

The Geekbench results flip the picture. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-4590S scores 3289 against the i7's 2734, a 20.3% advantage. The single-core test is even more lopsided: 1126 versus 923, a 22% lead for the i5. These are substantial gaps, far larger than the Cinebench deltas. So while the i7-4712HQ takes the majority of benchmarks, the i5-4590S wins the Geekbench tests by a factor of roughly five to six times the margin the i7 achieves elsewhere.

The overall win count stands at 6 for the i7-4712HQ and 2 for the i5-4590S. However, the average benchmark score tells a different story: the i5-4590S has an average of 1493, while the i7-4712HQ sits at 1436. The i5 also holds a slightly higher percentile rank (38th versus 37th). This suggests that the Geekbench results, despite being only two tests, carry enough weight to pull the i5's average above the i7's, even though the i7 wins more individual tests.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors and a 177 mm² die size. They share the same Haswell architecture and codename, and both integrate Intel HD 4600 graphics. The cache hierarchy is identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is also the same: DDR3, dual-channel, with ECC not supported.

The key architectural differences lie in threading, clock speeds, power envelope, and physical packaging. The i5-4590S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-4712HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, thanks to Hyper-Threading. The i5 runs at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and boosts to 3.60 GHz, whereas the i7 operates at 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The i5's higher clocks are offset by a higher TDP: 65 watts versus 37 watts for the i7. The i5 uses an Intel Socket 1150, while the i7 is soldered to a BGA 1364 package, reflecting its mobile design. The i7 also lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, a figure the i5 does not specify. PCIe support differs as well: the i5 lists Gen 3 without lane details, while the i7 specifies Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i7 is marked as end-of-life, while the i5 has no production status listed. Release dates are close: the i7 launched on 2014-03-31, the i5 on 2014-04-30. The i7 carries the part number SR1PZ; the i5 has no part number recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data points to a clear division of labor. The Intel Core i7-4712HQ wins every Cinebench test, which stresses multi-threaded rendering and single-threaded performance in a synthetic workload. Its 8 threads give it an advantage in tasks that can use them, even at lower clock speeds. The i5-4590S, on the other hand, wins both Geekbench tests, which are often used to gauge general-purpose CPU performance, including memory and integer operations. The i5's higher base and boost clocks likely contribute to its strong Geekbench showing.

For users who prioritize Cinebench-style workloads, such as 3D rendering or video encoding that scales with thread count, the i7-4712HQ is the better choice. For tasks that resemble Geekbench's mix, which may be more sensitive to clock speed and per-core efficiency, the i5-4590S holds a decisive edge. The i7's lower TDP and mobile socket make it suitable for laptops, while the i5's desktop socket and higher power budget point to a stationary system.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-4712HQ has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4590S has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: Which CPU has higher clock speeds?

A: The i5-4590S runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The i7-4712HQ runs at 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-4712HQ scores 4512 versus the i5-4590S's 4338, a 3.9% lead.

Q: Which CPU wins in Geekbench singlecore?

A: The i5-4590S scores 1126 versus the i7-4712HQ's 923, a 22% lead.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i5-4590S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i7-4712HQ has a TDP of 37 watts.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the i7-4712HQ?

A: The launch MSRP is $378.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i5-4590S | Intel Core i7-4712HQ |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 37 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1364 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 25.6 GB/s |

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

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Not specified | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2014-04-30 | 2014-03-31 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $378 |

| Part Number | Not specified | SR1PZ |

The Verdict

The data shows a clear trade-off. The Intel Core i7-4712HQ wins six of eight head-to-head benchmarks, all in the Cinebench family, by margins of 3.7% to 4.7%. Its 8 threads and lower TDP make it a strong candidate for multi-threaded rendering workloads and for mobile systems where power efficiency matters. The Intel Core i5-4590S, despite losing the majority of tests, wins the two Geekbench benchmarks by 20.3% and 22%, respectively. Its higher clock speeds and desktop socket give it an advantage in tasks that favor per-core performance and raw frequency.

The average benchmark scores and percentile ranks slightly favor the i5-4590S (1493 average, 38th percentile) over the i7-4712HQ (1436 average, 37th percentile), but this is driven entirely by the large Geekbench margins. For users who rely on Cinebench-style applications, the i7-4712HQ is the better performer. For those whose workloads resemble Geekbench, the i5-4590S offers a substantial lead. The i7 is also end-of-life, while the i5 has no such status, and the i7 carries a launch MSRP of $378. Ultimately, the choice depends on which benchmark family aligns with the intended use case.