Intel Core i5-4670S vs Intel Core i7-8665U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4670S and Intel Core i7-8665U are both four-core processors, yet they represent vastly different eras and design philosophies. The i5-4670S is a 2013 desktop chip built on the Haswell architecture, while the i7-8665U is a 2018 mobile processor from the Whiskey Lake family. Despite their similar average benchmark scores, the data reveals a decisive performance gap in favor of the newer, lower-power mobile chip. The i7-8665U wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, posting a consistent performance advantage that suggests the architectural and efficiency gains of the newer platform outweigh the older chip's higher thermal ceiling.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-8665U outperforms the Intel Core i5-4670S in every single test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-8665U scores 527 points against the i5-4670S's 448 points, a difference of 15%. The single-core result in the same test shows a similar pattern, with the i7-8665U at 74 points versus the i5-4670S's 63 points, a 14.9% advantage. This consistency is striking—the deltaPct for the i7-8665U's lead hovers around 15% across all workloads, from short single-threaded bursts to sustained multi-core rendering.

The Cinebench R20 and R23 results reinforce this trend. In R20 multicore, the i7-8665U scores 2197 versus 1870 for the i5-4670S. The single-core R20 test shows 309 versus 263. Moving to R23, the i7-8665U reaches 5232 in multicore and 738 in single-core, while the i5-4670S manages 4454 and 628 respectively. Each of these comparisons yields a deltaPct of -14.9% from the i5-4670S's perspective, meaning the older chip is consistently about 15% slower. This uniformity across different Cinebench versions suggests that the performance gap is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental throughput difference.

Interestingly, the overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The i5-4670S has an average score of 1526, while the i7-8665U averages 1513, a difference of less than 1%. This apparent contradiction stems from the fact that the i5-4670S also has Geekbench scores included in its average (3300 multicore, 1184 single-core), while the i7-8665U's average is based solely on its Cinebench results. The head-to-head data, however, only includes Cinebench tests, which is where the i7-8665U's superior architecture and higher boost clock show their strength.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8665U wins in every benchmark category, making it the clear choice for raw computational performance. Its advantages are particularly pronounced in multi-threaded workloads, where it scores 527 versus 448 in Cinebench R15 multicore—a 15% lead that likely stems from its 8 threads versus the i5-4670S's 4 threads. This suggests the i7-8665U can handle parallel tasks like video encoding or 3D rendering more efficiently, despite its lower 15W TDP compared to the i5-4670S's 65W TDP.

The i7-8665U also dominates in single-threaded performance, scoring 74 versus 63 in Cinebench R15 single-core. This is more surprising given the i5-4670S's higher base clock of 3.10 GHz versus the i7-8665U's 1900.00 MHz base. However, the i7-8665U's boost clock reaches 4.80 GHz, which is 1 GHz higher than the i5-4670S's 3.80 GHz maximum. This higher boost clock, combined with the Whiskey Lake architecture's improved instruction per clock (IPC), explains the single-thread advantage. The i7-8665U's 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth and support for both DDR3 and DDR4 further enhance its responsiveness in memory-sensitive tasks.

For the i5-4670S, there are no benchmark wins to highlight. Its strengths lie elsewhere—it uses the desktop Intel Socket 1150, which allows for easier upgrades and cooling solutions compared to the soldered BGA 1528 of the i7-8665U. It also has a larger die size of 177 mm² versus the unknown die size of the i7-8665U, which could imply a more robust power delivery system. However, in terms of pure performance metrics, the i5-4670S cannot compete with the i7-8665U's combination of higher boost clocks and additional threads.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, reflecting five years of Intel's development. The i5-4670S is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, while the i7-8665U uses Whiskey Lake on a 14 nm node. The smaller process node allows the i7-8665U to achieve higher clock speeds while consuming significantly less power—15W versus 65W TDP. This efficiency gain is remarkable, as the i7-8665U delivers 15% higher performance while using 77% less thermal design power.

Core and thread counts differ crucially. Both have 4 physical cores, but the i7-8665U supports Hyper-Threading, giving it 8 threads versus the i5-4670S's 4 threads. This explains the multicore performance advantage. Cache configuration also favors the newer chip: the i7-8665U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4670S has 6 MB. Both share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache sizes, but the larger L3 cache on the i7-8665U helps with data-heavy workloads.

Memory support differs significantly. The i5-4670S is limited to DDR3, while the i7-8665U supports both DDR3 and DDR4, providing flexibility and access to faster memory modules. The i7-8665U also has a specified memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, whereas the i5-4670S does not have a listed bandwidth figure. Both use dual-channel memory configurations. In terms of integrated graphics, the i7-8665U features UHD Graphics 620, a newer and more capable iGPU than the i5-4670S's Intel HD 4600, which could be relevant for light gaming or media playback.

The i7-8665U is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-4670S does not have a production status listed, suggesting it may still be technically in production. The i7-8665U also uses a different socket (BGA 1528) compared to the i5-4670S's Socket 1150, making the desktop chip more serviceable in a traditional PC build.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-8665U wins with a score of 5232, while the Intel Core i5-4670S scores 4454, a 14.9% difference. The i7-8665U's 8 threads versus 4 threads on the i5-4670S likely drive this gap.

Q: How does the single-core performance compare?

A: The i7-8665U leads in all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 738 versus 628 for the i5-4670S, a 14.9% advantage. The i7-8665U's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 3.80 GHz is a key factor.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two CPUs?

A: The i5-4670S has a TDP of 65W, while the i7-8665U has a TDP of 15W. This makes the i7-8665U far more power-efficient, yet it still delivers higher performance in every benchmark.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither processor supports ECC memory. Both are configured for dual-channel memory, but the i7-8665U supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-4670S only supports DDR3.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each?

A: The i5-4670S has an average benchmark score of 1526, while the i7-8665U averages 1513. The i5-4670S's score includes Geekbench results, which are not present in the i7-8665U's dataset.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: Both processors have the same percentile ranking of 38, indicating they perform in a similar tier despite the i7-8665U's head-to-head wins.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights the key differences between the two processors:

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4670S | Intel Core i7-8665U |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 1900.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1528 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Whiskey Lake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 38.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | UHD Graphics 620 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Part Number | SR14K | SRF9W |

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i7-8665U is the superior processor in every measurable benchmark. Its 15% performance advantage across all Cinebench tests, combined with a 50W lower TDP, makes it a far more efficient choice for computational tasks. The i7-8665U's 8 threads and 4.80 GHz boost clock allow it to excel in both single-threaded responsiveness and multi-threaded workloads, making it the better pick for users who prioritize performance per watt. However, the i5-4670S occupies a different niche—it is a desktop processor with a user-replaceable socket, which offers long-term upgradeability and easier cooling solutions. For a system builder who values a traditional desktop form factor and does not need the absolute best performance, the i5-4670S remains a functional option, especially given its comparable average benchmark score of 1526 versus 1513. Yet, for anyone who wants the best performance from the data, the i7-8665U is the unambiguous winner, despite its mobile-oriented BGA socket and end-of-life status. The i7-8665U's launch MSRP was $409, reflecting its premium positioning at release.