Intel Core i5-4590S vs Intel Core i7-4760HQ Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-4760HQ wins every recorded test, and it is not close. Out of six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, the i7-4760HQ takes all six, with deltas ranging from 23.3% to 24.6% over the i5-4590S. In multi-core workloads, the gap is consistent: Cinebench R15 shows 539 vs 437 (23.3% ahead), R20 shows 2249 vs 1821 (23.5% ahead), and R23 shows 5355 vs 4338 (23.4% ahead). The pattern holds for single-core tests as well: R15 at 76 vs 61 (24.6% ahead), R20 at 317 vs 257 (23.3% ahead), and R23 at 756 vs 612 (23.5% ahead).

The i7-4760HQ wins because it brings hyper-threading to a quad-core package, giving 8 threads versus the i5-4590S's 4 threads. That thread advantage matters most in heavily parallel workloads like video rendering, 3D modeling, and batch processing. For a mobile part, the i7-4760HQ delivers desktop-class multi-threaded performance, and the data confirms it beats the desktop i5-4590S by nearly a quarter in every Cinebench metric recorded.

The i5-4590S, by contrast, has no benchmark wins in this comparison. Its higher base and boost clocks (2.90 GHz and 3.60 GHz versus 2.10 GHz and 3.30 GHz) do not translate into any recorded performance advantage. The i7-4760HQ wins even in single-core tests, which is surprising given the clock deficit, but the data shows the i7's architecture and cache configuration deliver better per-thread results. There is no workload category in the database where the i5-4590S comes out ahead.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Haswell architecture and the 22 nm process node, with the same 1,400 million transistor count. The key structural difference lies in the die and packaging. The i7-4760HQ uses the Crystalwell codename and packs a 264 mm² die, while the i5-4590S uses the standard Haswell die at 177 mm². That larger die in the mobile part likely accommodates the beefier integrated graphics and additional logic required for the higher thread count.

Cache configuration is identical on paper: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Both have 4 physical cores, but the i7-4760HQ doubles the thread count to 8 via hyper-threading. The i5-4590S is a pure 4-thread part. This is the single most important architectural distinction for performance.

The integrated graphics differ significantly. The i7-4760HQ carries Intel HD 5200 (Iris Pro class), while the i5-4590S uses Intel HD 4600. The mobile part's graphics solution is more capable, which aligns with its larger die size. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the i7-4760HQ lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4590S has no recorded bandwidth figure in the database.

Socket and market positioning separate them further. The i7-4760HQ is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1364, soldered to the board, while the i5-4590S is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1150, meaning it can be swapped in a compatible motherboard. The i7-4760HQ has a 47 W TDP, the i5-4590S a 65 W TDP. That is notable: the mobile chip delivers more performance while drawing less power, thanks to its lower clocks and more efficient packaging.

PCIe support differs as well. The i7-4760HQ lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only, while the i5-4590S lists Gen 3 without a lane count. ECC memory is not supported on either. Both are locked multipliers, so neither can be overclocked via the multiplier. The i7-4760HQ is marked end-of-life, while the i5-4590S has no production status recorded.

FAQ

Q: Why does the i7-4760HQ beat the i5-4590S in single-core tests despite lower clocks?

A: The i7-4760HQ has a 2.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost, while the i5-4590S runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Despite the 0.80 GHz base and 0.30 GHz boost disadvantage, the i7 wins single-core Cinebench R15 by 24.6% (76 vs 61), R20 by 23.3% (317 vs 257), and R23 by 23.5% (756 vs 612). The data indicates that the i7's larger die and architecture deliver better per-thread efficiency.

Q: Is the i7-4760HQ a good upgrade for a desktop user with an i5-4590S?

A: Not directly. The i7-4760HQ uses Intel BGA 1364, a soldered mobile socket, while the i5-4590S uses Intel Socket 1150. They are physically incompatible. The i7-4760HQ is a mobile part, so you would need a laptop or a board that supports BGA 1364, not a standard desktop motherboard.

Q: Which chip is more power-efficient?

A: The i7-4760HQ has a 47 W TDP versus 65 W for the i5-4590S, and it still outperforms the desktop part in every recorded benchmark. This makes the mobile chip the more efficient performer, delivering roughly 23% higher scores across the board while drawing 18 W less.

Q: Do both chips support the same memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 in dual-channel mode. The i7-4760HQ lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4590S has no bandwidth figure recorded. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The i7-4760HQ has an average benchmark score of 1549, and the i5-4590S sits at 1493. That is a 3.8% difference in the average, despite the i7 winning every head-to-head test by over 23%. The average includes different workload mixes, so it compresses the gap.

Q: Which chip has better integrated graphics?

A: The i7-4760HQ uses Intel HD 5200, while the i5-4590S uses Intel HD 4600. The HD 5200 is the higher-tier solution, and it is consistent with the i7's larger die size. For gaming without a discrete GPU, the i7-4760HQ would be the stronger choice.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-4760HQ | Intel Core i5-4590S |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 47 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Codename | Crystalwell | Haswell |

| Die size | 264 mm² | 177 mm² |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 5200 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2014-01-31 | 2014-04-30 |

| Memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

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

| Production status | End-of-life | Not recorded |

| Part number | SR1BM | Not recorded |

Cores, L1 cache, L2 cache, L3 cache, memory type, memory bus, ECC support, process node, transistor count, manufacturer, architecture, and multiplier lock status are identical between the two.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data is a clean sweep. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-4760HQ scores 539 against 437 for the i5-4590S, a 23.3% advantage. Single-core R15 goes 76 to 61, a 24.6% edge. Moving to R20, multi-core shows 2249 vs 1821 (23.5% ahead) and single-core shows 317 vs 257 (23.3% ahead). In R23, multi-core is 5355 vs 4338 (23.4% ahead) and single-core is 756 vs 612 (23.5% ahead).

The consistency of the delta across all six tests is striking. Whether the workload is multi-threaded or single-threaded, the i7-4760HQ holds roughly a 23% lead. That suggests the advantage is not from any single feature but from the combination of hyper-threading, a larger die, and a more capable memory interface. The i5-4590S has no test where it closes the gap, and its higher clock speeds do not appear in the scores as an offsetting factor.

For context, the i7-4760HQ's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i5-4690S (average score 1551, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i3-9300 (1554, -0.3%), the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (1557, -0.5%), and the AMD FX-8350 (1557, -0.5%). The i7-4760HQ sits at 1549, which puts it within a rounding error of those parts. The i5-4590S, by contrast, is near the AMD Opteron 6344 (1492, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i7-3770S (1498, -0.4%), the Intel Core i3-8100T (1500, -0.4%), and the Intel Core i5-7500T (1483, 0.7%). Both chips land in the 38th percentile of all CPUs, but the i7-4760HQ's average score is 56 points higher.

The Verdict

Pick the Intel Core i7-4760HQ if you need maximum multi-threaded performance in a mobile form factor. The data is conclusive: it beats the i5-4590S in every recorded benchmark by over 23%, including single-core tests, and it does so while drawing 47 W versus 65 W. Its 8 threads, larger die, and Intel HD 5200 graphics make it the stronger part for rendering, content creation, and any workload that scales with thread count. The only notable drawbacks are the soldered BGA 1364 socket, which means no upgrades, and its end-of-life status.

Pick the Intel Core i5-4590S if you are building or upgrading a desktop on Socket 1150 and need a lower-cost Haswell quad-core. Its 4 threads and 6 MB of shared L3 cache are sufficient for everyday use and lighter workloads, but the benchmark data shows it is clearly slower than the i7-4760HQ in every measured category. The i5-4590S does have higher clock speeds (2.90 GHz base, 3.60 GHz boost) and a smaller die, which could be relevant for thermals in a compact desktop case, but the recorded scores do not reflect any performance benefit from those clocks.

For anyone choosing between these two specifically, the i7-4760HQ is the superior processor by every metric in the database. The i5-4590S only makes sense if your motherboard requires Socket 1150 and you cannot use a mobile BGA part. The average benchmark score gap (1549 vs 1493) and the 23%+ head-to-head margins leave no ambiguity. The i7-4760HQ is the clear winner for performance, efficiency, and integrated graphics capability.