Intel Core i5-4590T vs Intel Core i5-4690 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4690 wins every single head-to-head benchmark against the Intel Core i5-4590T. In five direct comparisons, the i5-4690 takes all five, with the i5-4590T recording zero wins. The margin is consistent across both multi-core and single-core workloads, hovering around a 27.5% deficit for the lower-clocked part.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4690 scores 479 against 347 for the i5-4590T, a delta of -27.6%. That same exact percentage gap repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-4690 posts 1996 versus 1446. The pattern holds in R23 multi-core: 4754 versus 3445, again -27.6%. This uniformity suggests the performance difference is not workload-specific but a fundamental clock-speed and power-delivery advantage.

Single-core results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-4690 scores 281, the i5-4590T scores 204, a -27.4% delta. In R23 single-core, the gap is 671 versus 486, -27.6%. The i5-4590T does have a Geekbench single-core score of 911 and a multi-core score of 2540, but the i5-4690 has no Geekbench entries in the database, so direct comparison is limited to the Cinebench suite. Still, the Cinebench data alone provides a decisive picture.

The average benchmark score in the database reinforces the hierarchy. The i5-4590T averages 1340, while the i5-4690 averages 1375. The i5-4590T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-760 at 1337 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Core i5-4670 at 1347 (-0.5%), the Intel Core i5-7400T at 1348 (-0.6%), and the Intel Xeon W-2104 at 1350 (-0.7%). The i5-4690, by contrast, sits near the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 at 1376 (-0.1%), the Intel Core i7-3740QM at 1378 (-0.2%), and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 and 2300U, both at 1379 (-0.3%). Both CPUs land in the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database, but the i5-4690 does so with a higher raw average.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same fundamental architecture: Haswell, on the 22 nm process node, manufactured by Intel with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. Both use the Intel Socket 1150 and belong to the Core i5 (Haswell) generation. The core and thread counts are identical: 4 cores and 4 threads each. Cache hierarchies match exactly: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have a locked multiplier.

The critical architectural divergence is clock speed and power envelope. The i5-4590T has a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz, while the i5-4690 runs at 3400 MHz base and 3800 MHz boost. The i5-4590T is a low-power variant with a TDP of 35 watts; the i5-4690 draws 84 watts. This 49-watt difference in thermal design power explains the substantial performance gap: the i5-4690 trades power efficiency for raw throughput.

Memory support is DDR3 in both cases, with dual-channel buses. The i5-4590T lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4690's bandwidth is not recorded in the database. PCIe support differs slightly in notation: the i5-4590T specifies "Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)", while the i5-4690 simply lists "Gen 3". Both integrate the Intel HD 4600 graphics. The release dates are close: the i5-4690 launched on 2014-04-30, the i5-4590T on 2014-05-10. The i5-4590T carries a launch MSRP of $192, while the i5-4690 has no launch MSRP recorded. The i5-4590T is marked end-of-life, while the i5-4690's production status is not specified.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the i5-4690 wins in every measurable category. It dominates multi-core rendering workloads, as shown by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core scores, where it leads by roughly 27.6% each time. It also wins single-core tasks, with Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core scores ahead by 27.4% and 27.6% respectively. For any application that relies on CPU computation, whether threaded or single-threaded, the i5-4690 is the superior choice.

The i5-4590T has no benchmark wins in the database. Its advantage is not in performance but in efficiency. With a 35 watt TDP versus 84 watts, the i5-4590T draws less than half the power of the i5-4690. This makes it suited for compact builds, low-noise systems, or environments where heat dissipation is a concern. The data does not include power consumption measurements, but the TDP figures are explicit: 35 watts for the i5-4590T, 84 watts for the i5-4690. Users prioritizing energy efficiency or thermal constraints over peak performance would favor the i5-4590T, even though it loses every benchmark.

The i5-4590T's release date is 10 days later than the i5-4690's, but both are from the same generation and platform. The i5-4590T is end-of-life, which may affect availability, but the i5-4690's production status is unrecorded. For raw compute, the verdict is singular: the i5-4690 wins outright.

Specification Differences

The following table lists only the fields where the two processors differ in the database:

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4590T | Intel Core i5-4690 |

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

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35 watts | 84 watts |

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

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

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

| Release Date | 2014-05-10 | 2014-04-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $192 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SR1S6 | Not recorded |

All other fields are identical: 4 cores, 4 threads, 22 nm process, Haswell architecture, 1,400 million transistors, 177 mm² die, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3, DDR3 memory support, dual-channel bus, no ECC, Intel HD 4600 graphics, desktop market segment, and locked multiplier.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4690 is faster in every multi-core benchmark. It scores 479 versus 347 in Cinebench R15, 1996 versus 1446 in R20, and 4754 versus 3445 in R23, each a -27.6% delta in favor of the i5-4690.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: The i5-4690 wins both recorded single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 281 against 204, a -27.4% delta. In R23 single-core, it scores 671 against 486, a -27.6% delta.

Q: Are they built on the same architecture?

A: Yes. Both use the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors and a 177 mm² die. They share the same cache layout: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the main difference in power consumption?

A: The i5-4590T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-4690 has a TDP of 84 watts. The i5-4590T is the low-power variant and uses significantly less energy.

Q: Do they support the same memory and graphics?

A: Both support DDR3 memory with dual-channel buses, and both integrate Intel HD 4600 graphics. The i5-4590T records a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4690's bandwidth is not listed.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i5-4690 has an average benchmark score of 1375, compared to 1340 for the i5-4590T. Both sit in the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors is straightforward if performance is the priority. The Intel Core i5-4690 wins all five head-to-head benchmarks by a margin of approximately 27.5% across the board. It is the faster part for any CPU-bound task, whether multi-threaded rendering or single-threaded responsiveness. Its higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz, compared to 2000 MHz and 3.00 GHz on the i5-4590T, directly translate into the observed score advantages.

The Intel Core i5-4590T, however, is not without a role. Its 35 watt TDP makes it a far more efficient option than the 84 watt i5-4690. For systems where power draw, heat output, or noise are limiting factors, the i5-4590T offers a functional desktop experience at less than half the thermal design power. The database shows no performance wins for it, but the efficiency profile is a real differentiator.

The i5-4690 is the clear pick for anyone building a desktop where performance matters most. The i5-4590T is the pick for compact or power-sensitive builds that accept a significant performance trade-off. Neither processor is a standout in the broader market, with both landing at the 36th percentile, but between the two, the i5-4690 is the definitive winner in every recorded benchmark.