Intel Core i5-4670 vs Intel Core i5-4690 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though modest, advantage for the Intel Core i5-4690 across every single benchmark in the comparison suite. The i5-4670 does not secure a single win in any of the six head-to-head tests. The i5-4690 wins all six, with deltas ranging from 1.5% to 2.1%.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4690 scores 479 against the i5-4670's 469, a 2.1% lead. The single-core R15 result is closer: 67 versus 66, a 1.5% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap is exactly 2% (1996 vs 1957), while the single-core delta is again 2.1% (281 vs 275). In the more demanding Cinebench R23 workload, the i5-4690 posts 4754 versus 4660 in multi-core, and 671 versus 657 in single-core, both representing roughly 2% advantages.

What is notable is the uniformity of these results. The i5-4690 does not suddenly pull ahead in one workload type; its advantage is steady across both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests. This suggests a consistent frequency or efficiency edge rather than a workload-specific architectural strength. The average benchmark score in the database reflects this: the i5-4690 sits at 1375, while the i5-4670 sits at 1347, a difference of about 2.1%.

Both processors land at the 36th percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database. That places them in similar performance tiers overall, but the i5-4690's slightly higher scores give it a narrow but repeatable advantage. The nearest rivals for the i5-4670 include the Intel Core i5-7400T (average score 1348, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Xeon W-2104 (1350, -0.2%). The i5-4690, by contrast, sits alongside the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 (1376, -0.1%) and Intel Core i7-3740QM (1378, -0.2%). The i5-4690 therefore competes in a slightly higher performance bracket than the i5-4670.

Architecture Differences

At the architectural level, the two processors are effectively identical. Both use the Haswell architecture on the 22 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. Each has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no Hyper-Threading on either part. The base clock is identical at 3.40 GHz, and the boost clock is also the same at 3.80 GHz. Thermal design power matches at 84 watts for both.

Cache hierarchies are exactly the same. Each core has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2, and both share a 6 MB L3 cache. The transistor count is 1,400 million on a 177 mm² die. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, with no ECC support. PCIe is Gen 3 on both. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 4600 on both, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The part numbers differ: the i5-4670 carries the SR14D designation, while the i5-4690's part number is not recorded in the database. The release dates are different: the i5-4670 launched in June 2013, while the i5-4690 followed in April 2014. That ten-month gap is the only meaningful temporal difference.

Given that every architectural specification is identical, the benchmark delta cannot be attributed to node, core count, cache size, or memory support. The most plausible explanation, consistent with the recorded data, is a minor refinement in the Haswell silicon that allows the i5-4690 to sustain its boost clock more effectively or achieve higher effective frequencies under load. The benchmark results show a 1.5% to 2.1% improvement, which aligns with a small clock-for-clock efficiency gain rather than a structural change.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4690 wins everywhere in the measured data. There is no workload category in which the i5-4670 posts a higher score. That said, the margins are small enough that the practical impact depends on the application.

For single-threaded tasks, the i5-4690 leads by 1.5% to 2.1% depending on the Cinebench version. In R15 single-core, the gap is just one point (67 vs 66). In R20, it is six points (281 vs 275). In R23, it is 14 points (671 vs 657). These are the kinds of margins that would be noticeable in lightly threaded applications like older games or spreadsheet workloads, but they are far from transformative.

For multi-threaded workloads, the i5-4690's lead is slightly larger in absolute terms. The R15 multi-core gap is 10 points (479 vs 469). The R20 gap is 39 points (1996 vs 1957). The R23 gap is 94 points (4754 vs 4660). In percentage terms, these are all around 2%, so the relative advantage is consistent. Applications that scale well across four cores will see a small but measurable benefit from the i5-4690.

There is no scenario in which the i5-4670 is the recommended pick based on benchmark performance. However, the i5-4670's average score of 1347 places it just 0.1% behind the Core i5-7400T and 0.2% behind the Xeon W-2104, meaning it is competitive with those parts. The i5-4690, with an average of 1375, is within 0.1% of the Core i5-1030NG7 and within 0.2% of the Core i7-3740QM. In practical terms, both processors will feel very similar in day-to-day use, with the i5-4690 holding a slight edge that might matter in sustained workloads or benchmark-driven tasks.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4690 scores 4754 versus 4660 for the i5-4670, a 2% advantage.

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

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the i5-4670 wins?

A: No. The i5-4690 wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas from 1.5% to 2.1%.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The i5-4690 has an average score of 1375, while the i5-4670 has an average score of 1347.

Q: Do they use the same socket and memory type?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1150 and support dual-channel DDR3 memory.

Q: Are the boost clocks different?

A: No, both are rated at 3.80 GHz boost and 3.40 GHz base.

Specification Differences

The only fields where the two processors differ in the database are as follows:

• Release Date: The i5-4670 was released on June 1, 2013. The i5-4690 was released on April 30, 2014.
• Part Number: The i5-4670 has the part number SR14D. The i5-4690 has no recorded part number.
• Average Benchmark Score: The i5-4670 averages 1347. The i5-4690 averages 1375.
• Percentile vs All CPUs: Both are at the 36th percentile, so this field does not differentiate them.
• Head-to-Head Wins: The i5-4670 has 0 wins, the i5-4690 has 6 wins.

All other recorded specifications are identical: 4 cores, 4 threads, 3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost, 84 W TDP, Intel Socket 1150, Haswell architecture, 22 nm process, 1,400 million transistors, 177 mm² die, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3, DDR3 dual-channel memory, no ECC, PCIe Gen 3, Intel HD 4600 graphics, desktop market segment, and locked multipliers.