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

Intel Core i5-4690S and Intel Core i5-4670S are two locked, 65-watt desktop processors from Intel's Haswell generation, both built for the Intel Socket 1150 platform. They share the same 4-core, 4-thread configuration, the same 22 nm process node, and the same Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, making them nearly identical on paper. The data separates them primarily through clock speeds and benchmark results, with the 4690S leading in most rendering tests while the 4670S counters in Geekbench workloads. This analysis walks through the recorded measurements to clarify where each chip stands.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690S has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-4670S has a base clock of 3.10 GHz. The 4690S also boosts higher at 3.90 GHz versus 3.80 GHz for the 4670S.

Q: Do both processors have the same amount of cache?

A: Yes, both the 4690S and the 4670S feature identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the key differences in their release dates?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690S was released on 2014-04-30, while the Intel Core i5-4670S was released earlier on 2013-06-01. Both are Haswell-generation parts.

Q: Which processor performs better in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690S scores 4609 points in Cinebench R23 multicore, compared to 4454 points for the 4670S, giving the 4690S a 3.5% advantage in that test.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4670S win any benchmark comparisons?

A: Yes, the 4670S wins in Geekbench tests. It scores 3300 in Geekbench multicore versus 3251 for the 4690S, and 1184 in Geekbench singlecore versus 1163, representing leads of 1.5% and 1.8%, respectively.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The multiplierUnlocked field is false for both the 4690S and the 4670S.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Haswell architecture and codename, manufactured at Intel's 22 nm process node. They each contain 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die size, and both use the Intel Socket 1150. The core and thread counts are identical at 4 cores and 4 threads, with no support for ECC memory and a dual-channel DDR3 memory bus.

The fundamental architectural difference lies in the clock speeds. The 4690S operates at a 3.20 GHz base clock and a 3.90 GHz boost clock, while the 4670S runs at a 3.10 GHz base clock and a 3.80 GHz boost clock. This 100 MHz advantage for the 4690S in both base and boost states is the primary differentiator between the two silicon parts. The memory bandwidth is listed as 25.6 GB/s for the 4690S, while the 4670S has no recorded memory bandwidth figure in the database.

Both chips integrate the Intel HD 4600 graphics solution, and both are locked parts, meaning no overclocking via multiplier adjustment. The PCIe support differs slightly in the recorded data: the 4690S lists "Gen 3, 16 Lanes(CPU only)" while the 4670S simply lists "Gen 3". The 4690S has a launch MSRP of $224, while the 4670S has no recorded launch MSRP. Their part numbers are SR1QP for the 4690S and SR14K for the 4670S.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clear pattern across the Cinebench suite, with the 4690S winning all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 4690S scores 464 against 448 for the 4670S, a 3.6% lead. The singlecore R15 test shows 65 versus 63, a 3.2% advantage. Moving to R20, the multicore result is 1935 for the 4690S versus 1870 for the 4670S, a 3.5% difference, while the singlecore R20 test shows 273 versus 263, the largest percentage margin at 3.8%. In Cinebench R23, the multicore scores are 4609 and 4454, a 3.5% gap, and the singlecore scores are 650 and 628, again a 3.5% gap.

The Geekbench results reverse the trend. The 4670S takes the Geekbench multicore test with 3300 points against 3251 for the 4690S, a 1.5% margin. In Geekbench singlecore, the 4670S scores 1184 versus 1163, a 1.8% lead. This gives the 4690S six benchmark wins and the 4670S two wins in the head-to-head comparison. The overall average benchmark score reflects this split: the 4690S averages 1551 points across all recorded benchmarks, while the 4670S averages 1526 points.

The percentile rankings align with these averages. The 4690S sits at the 39th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the 4670S sits at the 38th percentile. The nearest rivals for the 4690S include the Intel Core i7-4760HQ (avg score 1549, delta 0.2%), the Intel Core i3-9300 (avg score 1554, delta -0.2%), the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (avg score 1557, delta -0.4%), and the AMD FX-8350 (avg score 1557, delta -0.4%). For the 4670S, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-7440HQ (avg score 1527, delta 0%), the Intel Pentium Gold G7400E (avg score 1524, delta 0.1%), the Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 (avg score 1537, delta -0.7%), and the Intel Core i7-8665U (avg score 1513, delta 0.9%).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in only a handful of recorded fields. The base clock is 3.20 GHz for the 4690S versus 3.10 GHz for the 4670S. The boost clock is 3.90 GHz for the 4690S versus 3.80 GHz for the 4670S. The release dates are 2014-04-30 for the 4690S and 2013-06-01 for the 4670S. The 4690S has a launch MSRP of $224, while the 4670S has no recorded launch MSRP. The memory bandwidth is 25.6 GB/s for the 4690S, while the field is null for the 4670S. The PCIe field lists "Gen 3, 16 Lanes(CPU only)" for the 4690S versus "Gen 3" for the 4670S. The part numbers differ as SR1QP for the 4690S and SR14K for the 4670S. All other specifications, including cores, threads, TDP (65 watts), socket, architecture, process node, transistors, die size, cache sizes, memory support, ECC support, integrated graphics, market segment, and unlocked multiplier status, are identical between the two.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows the Intel Core i5-4690S as the stronger performer in the majority of tests. It wins all six Cinebench comparisons, with consistent margins of 3.2% to 3.8% across both multicore and singlecore workloads. Its average benchmark score of 1551 exceeds the 4670S's 1526 by a margin that places it at a higher percentile rank. The 4690S also brings a higher base and boost clock, which directly explains its Cinebench dominance. For users prioritizing rendering performance in applications like Cinebench, the 4690S is the clear choice based on the recorded data.

However, the 4670S is not without merit. It wins both Geekbench tests, with a 1.5% lead in multicore and a 1.8% lead in singlecore. This suggests that in certain workloads measured by Geekbench, the 4670S can outperform its newer sibling despite lower clock speeds. The 4670S also has a lower percentile rank at 38 versus 39, but its nearest rival list includes the Intel Core i5-7440HQ, which matches its average score exactly at 1527 with a delta of 0%. This indicates that the 4670S is competitive within its immediate performance class.

The verdict from the data is straightforward: the 4690S is the better all-around processor for most compute-heavy tasks, while the 4670S appeals specifically to users who see stronger results in Geekbench-style workloads. The 4690S's launch MSRP of $224 provides a reference point, but the 4670S has no recorded launch price to compare directly.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4690S wins in rendering and CPU-intensive benchmark suites. It takes the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests in both multicore and singlecore modes, with margins ranging from 3.2% to 3.8%. Users running Cinebench-class workloads, such as 3D rendering, video encoding, or other multithreaded applications that scale similarly, should see the 4690S deliver proportionally higher scores. Its higher base and boost clocks provide a straightforward performance advantage in these scenarios.

The Intel Core i5-4670S wins in Geekbench tests. It scores 3300 in Geekbench multicore against 3251 for the 4690S, and 1184 in Geekbench singlecore against 1163. This means that in workloads that mirror Geekbench's mixed integer and floating-point tests, the 4670S can edge out the 4690S despite its lower clocks. The 4670S also benefits from an earlier release date, which may matter for users tracking hardware availability timelines. For applications that resemble Geekbench's test patterns, the 4670S is the one to pick.