Intel Core i5-4590T vs Intel Core i5-7400T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7400T and Intel Core i5-4590T are both 35-watt, quad-core desktop processors aimed at compact and low-power systems, but they represent two distinct generations of Intel silicon. The benchmark data shows a clear and consistent performance hierarchy between the two, with the newer Kaby Lake part holding a decisive advantage across every single test in the comparison suite. While both CPUs occupy the same 36th percentile among all processors, the raw scores reveal that the i5-7400T is not just marginally faster; it delivers a systematic performance uplift that ranges from roughly 11% to nearly 16% depending on the workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is the uniformity of the i5-7400T’s victory margin. Across the three Cinebench multi-core tests — R15, R20, and R23 — the i5-7400T outperforms the i5-4590T by a nearly identical 15.6% in each instance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-7400T scores 401 against the i5-4590T’s 347. That same 15.6% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1672 vs 1446) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (3981 vs 3445). This consistency suggests the advantage is architectural rather than workload-specific; the newer processor simply extracts more throughput from each clock cycle.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, though with slightly different margins. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-7400T posts 236 versus the i5-4590T’s 204, a 15.7% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the i5-7400T at 562 and the i5-4590T at 486, again a 15.6% gap. These results indicate that the i5-7400T’s advantage is not dependent on multi-threaded scaling; even on a single thread, the Kaby Lake architecture holds a substantial edge over Haswell.

Geekbench results follow the same direction but with slightly compressed margins. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-7400T scores 2864 against the i5-4590T’s 2540, a 12.8% lead. Geekbench single-core shows 1014 versus 911, an 11.3% advantage for the i5-7400T. While these deltas are smaller than the Cinebench figures, they still represent a clear and consistent win. The i5-7400T wins all seven head-to-head benchmarks listed, with zero wins for the i5-4590T.

It is worth remembering the i5-7400T’s average benchmark score of 1348 sits just 0.6% above the i5-4590T’s 1340, according to the nearestRivals data. This near-parity in aggregate scoring is somewhat misleading, as it reflects a broader benchmark set that includes other tests not shown in the head-to-head table. The dedicated head-to-head comparison, however, tells a far more one-sided story in favor of the i5-7400T.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-7400T is the faster processor in every measured scenario. Its wins span both single-core and multi-core workloads, across two different benchmark suites, with margins that never fall below 11%. For users who prioritize raw performance, the i5-7400T is the clear choice, offering a 15.6% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 12.8% lead in Geekbench multi-core.

The i5-4590T, however, is not without its own merits when viewed strictly through the data. It matches the i5-7400T in core count, thread count, and TDP, and it carries a launch MSRP of $192. Its average benchmark score of 1340 is only 0.6% behind the i5-7400T, and both CPUs sit at the 36th percentile among all processors. The i5-4590T also supports DDR3 memory, which may be relevant for users with existing DDR3 platforms.

That said, the i5-4590T is marked as end-of-life in production status, whereas the i5-7400T remains active. The i5-7400T also uses a newer socket (Intel Socket 1151 versus Intel Socket 1150), which has platform implications. For a new build, the i5-7400T is the better performer. For an upgrade path on an older Haswell system, the i5-4590T’s data shows it remains competitive in aggregate but falls short in every direct head-to-head test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i5-7400T is built on Kaby Lake, using a 14 nm process node, while the i5-4590T is a Haswell part fabricated on a 22 nm node. This process shrink is a primary driver of the performance differential, allowing the newer chip to achieve higher efficiency and throughput.

Both CPUs feature four cores and four threads, with identical cache configurations: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The base clock speeds differ significantly, however. The i5-7400T runs at 2.40 GHz base, while the i5-4590T has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz). Both processors boost to 3.00 GHz, meaning the i5-7400T has a higher minimum operating frequency.

Memory support is another key differentiator. The i5-7400T supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The i5-4590T supports DDR3, also dual-channel, but with a lower 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. This 12.8 GB/s difference in memory bandwidth is substantial and likely contributes to the Geekbench deltas observed.

Both processors integrate graphics, but the i5-7400T features the HD 630 iGPU, while the i5-4590T comes with the older Intel HD 4600. The i5-7400T also reports its transistor count as part of the 14 nm design, while the i5-4590T lists 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. PCIe support is identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both are locked (multiplier unlocked: false).

The release dates differ by nearly three years. The i5-4590T launched in May 2014, while the i5-7400T arrived in January 2017. This generational gap explains the architectural improvements and the consistent performance lead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-7400T wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests by 15.6%. It scores 401 vs 347 in R15, 1672 vs 1446 in R20, and 3981 vs 3445 in R23. Geekbench multi-core also favors the i5-7400T at 2864 vs 2540, a 12.8% lead.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i5-7400T leads in single-core as well. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 236 vs 204 (15.7% higher). In R23 single-core, it scores 562 vs 486 (15.6% higher). Geekbench single-core shows 1014 vs 911, an 11.3% advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the i5-7400T and i5-4590T have 4 cores and 4 threads. They also share the same TDP of 35 watts and identical cache sizes: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Q: What are the key differences in memory support?

A: The i5-7400T supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-4590T supports DDR3 with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The i5-7400T is listed as "Active" in production status, while the i5-4590T is marked as "End-of-life." The i5-4590T also has a launch MSRP of $192.

Q: Which processor has a better average benchmark score?

A: The i5-7400T has an average benchmark score of 1348, which is 0.6% higher than the i5-4590T’s 1340. Both CPUs sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-7400T wins in every head-to-head benchmark category, making it the superior choice for virtually all compute-intensive tasks. Its 15.6% lead in Cinebench multi-core tests indicates a clear advantage in rendering workloads, video encoding, and other multithreaded applications. The 15.7% single-core lead in Cinebench R20 suggests better responsiveness in lightly threaded applications like older games and everyday productivity software. The memory bandwidth advantage — 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s — further solidifies its position for memory-sensitive tasks.

The i5-4590T, while losing all seven head-to-head tests, still holds relevance in specific contexts. Its support for DDR3 memory is a practical advantage for users with existing DDR3 motherboards who wish to upgrade without replacing their RAM. Its launch MSRP of $192 and end-of-life status may make it available at lower prices on the secondary market, though pricing data beyond the launch figure is not available here. For users on the Intel Socket 1150 platform, the i5-4590T represents a drop-in upgrade path with the same 35-watt TDP and quad-core configuration.

In terms of platform longevity, the i5-7400T’s active production status and Intel Socket 1151 compatibility give it a modern edge. The i5-4590T’s Haswell architecture, while older, still delivers an average benchmark score within 0.6% of its rival in the broader dataset. The data ultimately points to the i5-7400T as the outright performance winner, with the i5-4590T serving as a legacy option for DDR3-based systems where the 11-16% performance gap is an acceptable trade-off for platform continuity.