Intel Core i5-4690 vs Intel Core i5-6500T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-6500T and Intel Core i5-4690 are both quad-core desktop processors, but they target fundamentally different priorities. The benchmark data is strikingly one-sided: the Core i5-4690 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with a consistent margin of roughly 14.6% to 14.9% across every Cinebench test. However, the 6500T counters with a dramatically lower 35-watt TDP compared to the 4690's 84 watts, along with a newer 14nm process node versus 22nm. The data suggests the 4690 is the clear performance choice, while the 6500T is the efficiency-oriented option, though its lower clock speeds create a performance gap that no architectural advantage fully closes.

The Verdict

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4690 outperforms the Intel Core i5-6500T in every measured workload. The 4690 leads by 14.8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 14.9% in single-core, and maintains nearly identical margins of 14.7% and 14.6% in the R20 and R23 multi-core tests, respectively. This consistency across all six tests indicates a systemic clock-speed advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk — the 4690's 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost clocks simply outrun the 6500T's 2.50 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost.

For users prioritizing raw compute, the 4690 is the only rational pick from this data. Its average benchmark score of 1375 places it in the same 36th percentile as the 6500T (which scores 1362), but the head-to-head deltas show the 4690's superiority is real and repeatable. The 4690's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 (delta -0.1%) and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 (delta -0.3%), indicating it sits comfortably in a competitive mid-range bracket. The 6500T, by contrast, matches the Intel Core i5-8365UE exactly (0.0% delta) and trails the Intel Core i7-3820QM by 0.3%.

However, the verdict is not solely about performance. The 6500T's 35-watt TDP is less than half the 4690's 84-watt rating, and it uses a 14nm process versus 22nm. This makes the 6500T the sensible choice for compact, thermally constrained builds where the 14.8% performance deficit is an acceptable trade-off for lower power draw. The 4690, meanwhile, requires a beefier cooling solution and power delivery, but delivers a 4754 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus the 6500T's 4054 — a 700-point gap that matters for rendering or batch workloads. If the data is the only guide, performance buyers choose the 4690; efficiency buyers choose the 6500T, but they must accept that it wins zero benchmarks outright.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690 scores 671 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 14.8% higher than the Intel Core i5-6500T's 572. This margin mirrors the multi-core results, suggesting the 4690's clock advantage benefits all thread counts equally.

Q: Does the newer architecture of the 6500T help it close the performance gap?

A: No. Despite the 6500T being a Skylake part on a 14nm node versus the 4690's Haswell on 22nm, the 6500T loses every benchmark by roughly 14.7%. The architecture difference does not translate into a victory in any of the six Cinebench tests, indicating that the 4690's higher clocks (3.40/3.80 GHz vs 2.50/3.10 GHz) are the dominant factor.

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

A: The 6500T has a 35-watt TDP, while the 4690 is rated at 84 watts. This 49-watt difference makes the 6500T significantly more power-efficient, which is its primary selling point given its benchmark losses.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals in average score?

A: The 6500T's average benchmark score is 1362, matching the Intel Core i5-8365UE exactly (0.0% delta) and trailing the Intel Xeon D-1521 by 0.4%. The 4690's average score is 1375, which is 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 and 0.3% behind the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200. Both chips sit in the 36th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The 6500T supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the 4690 supports only DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the 6500T has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, whereas the 4690's bandwidth is not specified in the data.

Q: Which chip has a larger die size?

A: The 4690 has a die size of 177 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors. The 6500T's die is smaller at 122 mm², and its transistor count is not listed. The smaller die on the 6500T is consistent with its 14nm process node versus the 4690's 22nm.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct Intel microarchitectures. The 6500T is built on Skylake, using a 14nm process node, while the 4690 is a Haswell part manufactured on a 22nm node. This generational shift is reflected in the die sizes: the 6500T measures 122 mm², whereas the 4690 is substantially larger at 177 mm² and carries 1,400 million transistors. The 6500T's smaller die on a more advanced node suggests better transistor density, yet this does not manifest as a performance advantage in any benchmark.

Memory support differs notably. The 6500T supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, giving it flexibility for newer platforms, while the 4690 is limited to DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the 6500T specifies a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, a figure absent for the 4690. Integrated graphics also differ: the 6500T features HD Graphics 530, while the 4690 uses Intel HD 4600. Both chips lack ECC memory support and have locked multipliers, meaning no overclocking via multiplier adjustment.

The socket and platform requirements are incompatible. The 6500T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the 4690 uses Intel Socket 1150. This means a motherboard upgrade is mandatory when switching between these two parts. Both support PCIe Gen 3, though the 6500T specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 4690's lane count is not detailed. The 6500T's production status is listed as end-of-life, whereas the 4690's status is not specified.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical — both have 4 cores and 4 threads. The cache hierarchy is also the same: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The differences emerge in clock speeds, power, and platform support. The 4690 runs at a 3.40 GHz base clock and 3.80 GHz boost, which are 0.90 GHz and 0.70 GHz higher than the 6500T's 2.50 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost, respectively.

TDP is a major differentiator: the 6500T is rated at 35 watts, while the 4690 draws 84 watts. The 6500T uses the Socket 1151 platform, while the 4690 uses Socket 1150. Process technology differs as expected — 14nm for the 6500T versus 22nm for the 4690. Memory support diverges as noted: the 6500T accepts DDR3 and DDR4, while the 4690 only accepts DDR3. The 6500T has a listed memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s; the 4690 has no such figure.

Release dates show a 14-month gap: the 4690 launched on 2014-04-30, and the 6500T followed on 2015-07-01. The integrated graphics differ (HD 530 vs HD 4600), and the part numbers are only listed for the 6500T (SR2L8). Neither chip has a launch MSRP in the data, and both are desktop market segments with no unlocked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are a clean sweep for the 4690, but the margins tell an interesting story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 4690 scores 479 versus the 6500T's 408, a delta of -14.8%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar -14.9% delta (67 vs 57). Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap narrows slightly to -14.7% (1996 vs 1702), and single-core is -14.6% (281 vs 240). The R23 tests close the series with -14.7% in multi-core (4754 vs 4054) and -14.8% in single-core (671 vs 572).

The consistency of these deltas — all falling between -14.6% and -14.9% — is remarkable. It suggests the performance difference is driven entirely by clock speed, as the architectural changes between Skylake and Haswell do not produce any workload-specific advantages. The 6500T's best showing is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it trails by only 14.6%, while its worst is R15 single-core at -14.9%. These are negligible variations, indicating a flat performance profile across all tested workloads.

One notable absence is the Geekbench scores. The 6500T has Geekbench multi-core and single-core results of 2843 and 1016, respectively, but the 4690 has no Geekbench data in the pack. This means the head-to-head comparison relies entirely on Cinebench tests, which all favor the 4690. The 6500T's Geekbench numbers place it in a context where its average score of 1362 matches the Intel Core i5-8365UE, but without 4690 Geekbench results, no direct comparison is possible.

Where Each One Wins

The 4690 wins every benchmark where both are tested, making it the unequivocal choice for compute-heavy tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 4754 versus 4054 means a 17.3% lead in the most demanding rendering test, which translates directly to faster video exports, 3D rendering, and batch processing. The single-core advantage (671 vs 572 in R23) also benefits lightly-threaded applications like older games or spreadsheet macros, where the 4690's 3.80 GHz boost clock provides a tangible edge. For users who prioritize raw throughput and have adequate cooling for the 84-watt TDP, the 4690 dominates.

The 6500T's wins are not in benchmarks but in efficiency and compatibility. Its 35-watt TDP is less than half the 4690's 84 watts, making it suitable for small-form-factor builds, silent PCs, or systems with modest power supplies. The 14nm process and 122 mm² die size indicate lower heat output, which can reduce fan noise and thermal throttling in constrained chassis. Additionally, the 6500T's support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory gives builders more flexibility in choosing RAM, whereas the 4690 is locked to DDR3. The 6500T also benefits from a newer integrated graphics solution (HD 530 vs HD 4600), which may matter for basic display output or light media playback without a discrete GPU.

Neither chip is unlocked for overclocking, so the clock speed gap is fixed. The 6500T's end-of-life status and the 4690's unspecified production status suggest both are legacy parts, but the data does not indicate which is more readily available. In summary, the 4690 wins on every performance metric, while the 6500T wins on power efficiency and memory flexibility — a trade-off that the benchmark numbers quantify clearly, with the 4690's consistent 14.7% lead serving as the definitive performance verdict.