Intel Core i5-4690 vs Intel Core i5-760 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though modest, advantage for the Intel Core i5-4690 across every Cinebench workload in the database. In the six head-to-head comparisons, the i5-4690 wins all six, with the i5-760 trailing by margins between 2.7% and 3.0% depending on the test. The narrowest gap appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i5-4690 scores 479 against the i5-760's 466, a delta of -2.7%. The same 2.7% deficit repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1996 vs. 1942) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (4754 vs. 4624). These results indicate that in heavily threaded rendering workloads, the newer processor maintains a steady, if not overwhelming, lead.

Single-core results show a similar pattern. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i5-4690 posts 67 points versus 65 for the i5-760, a 3% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 281 against 273, a 2.8% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core follows with 671 versus 652, again 2.8%. The consistency of these deltas across both single-core and multi-core tests suggests the performance difference is architectural and clock-driven rather than workload-specific. The i5-4690's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz, compared to 2.80 GHz and 3.33 GHz on the i5-760, likely account for much of the observed margin.

The overall average benchmark scores reinforce this picture. The i5-4690 has an average benchmark score of 1375, while the i5-760 sits at 1337. This places the i5-4690 at the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database, one percentile point ahead of the i5-760, which sits at the 35th percentile. In terms of nearest rivals, the i5-760's average score of 1337 is nearly identical to the Intel Core i5-4590T (1340, delta -0.2%) and the Intel Core i5-4460S (1330, delta 0.5%). It also sits just behind the Intel Core i5-4670 (1347, delta -0.8%) and just ahead of the Intel Core i5-2500K (1329, delta 0.6%). For the i5-4690, its 1375 average places it within a hair of the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 (1376, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i7-3740QM (1378, delta -0.2%), and two AMD parts: the Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 (1379, delta -0.3%) and the Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U (1379, delta -0.3%). These tiny deltas suggest that both processors are clustered tightly with their direct competitors, and the i5-4690's edge over the i5-760 is consistent with its higher percentile ranking.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark breakdown shows no test in which the i5-760 takes the lead. Across all six Cinebench iterations, the i5-4690 wins every single-core and multi-core comparison. This means that for users prioritizing raw rendering speed, the i5-4690 is the clear choice. The single-core wins are particularly relevant for lightly threaded applications, such as older games or productivity software that relies on one or two threads. The i5-4690's single-core scores exceed the i5-760 by 2 to 3 points in each Cinebench version, a small but consistent advantage.

For multi-core workloads, the i5-4690's lead is proportionally similar. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core, the margin remains at 2.7%. This suggests that both CPUs scale similarly across core counts, as both have four cores and four threads. The i5-4690 does not pull further ahead in multi-core despite its architectural advantages, which implies that the i5-760's Lynnfield design is not severely hampered in parallel tasks. Still, the i5-4690 remains ahead in every scenario, making it the superior part for video encoding, 3D rendering, and any other workload that exploits all four cores.

The i5-760's only potential territory is legacy software or systems where its socket and platform might already be in place. With a socket of Intel Socket 1156 and DDR3 memory support, the i5-760 could appeal to someone upgrading an old motherboard without changing the platform. However, the performance data does not favor it in any measured benchmark. The i5-4690, using Intel Socket 1150 and also supporting DDR3, offers a newer platform with the same memory type. For a new build, the i5-4690 is decisively ahead. For an existing 1156 system, the i5-760 remains functional, but its benchmark scores place it behind not only the i5-4690 but also several similarly aged rivals like the Core i5-2500K.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural eras. The i5-760 is based on the Nehalem architecture, with the codename Lynnfield, built on a 45 nm process node. The i5-4690 uses the Haswell architecture, with the same codename, built on a 22 nm process node. This process shrink is significant: the i5-4690 packs 1,400 million transistors onto a 177 mm² die, while the i5-760 contains 774 million transistors on a much larger 296 mm² die. The smaller process node allows the i5-4690 to achieve higher clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost) while consuming less power, with a TDP of 84 watts compared to 95 watts for the i5-760.

Cache configurations also differ. Both CPUs have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is larger on the older part: the i5-760 has 8 MB shared, while the i5-4690 has 6 MB shared. This is an unusual reversal, as the newer processor has less last-level cache. Despite this, the i5-4690 still outperforms the i5-760, indicating that its superior process node, clock speeds, and microarchitecture more than compensate for the 2 MB reduction in L3 cache.

Memory support is identical in type and channel configuration: both support DDR3 and use a dual-channel memory bus. Neither supports ECC memory. The PCIe capabilities differ, with the i5-760 offering Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and the i5-4690 offering Gen 3. This gives the i5-4690 double the bandwidth for graphics cards and NVMe drives, though the benchmark data does not directly measure PCIe performance. The i5-4690 also integrates Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the i5-760 has no integrated graphics at all, meaning the older part requires a discrete GPU for any display output.

The generation labels confirm the lineage: the i5-760 belongs to the Core i5 (Lynnfield) generation, while the i5-4690 belongs to Core i5 (Haswell). The release dates are separated by roughly four years, with the i5-760 launching in July 2010 and the i5-4690 in April 2014. Both are locked processors with no unlocked multiplier. The i5-760 is marked as end-of-life in production status, while no such status is recorded for the i5-4690.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors, based solely on the recorded data:

• Base clock: 2.80 GHz (i5-760) vs. 3.40 GHz (i5-4690)
• Boost clock: 3.33 GHz (i5-760) vs. 3.80 GHz (i5-4690)
• TDP: 95 W (i5-760) vs. 84 W (i5-4690)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1156 (i5-760) vs. Intel Socket 1150 (i5-4690)
• Architecture: Nehalem (i5-760) vs. Haswell (i5-4690)
• Process node: 45 nm (i5-760) vs. 22 nm (i5-4690)
• Transistors: 774 million (i5-760) vs. 1,400 million (i5-4690)
• Die size: 296 mm² (i5-760) vs. 177 mm² (i5-4690)
• L3 cache: 8 MB shared (i5-760) vs. 6 MB shared (i5-4690)
• PCIe: Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) (i5-760) vs. Gen 3 (i5-4690)
• Integrated graphics: None (i5-760) vs. Intel HD 4600 (i5-4690)
• Release date: 2010-07-17 (i5-760) vs. 2014-04-30 (i5-4690)
• Part number: SLBRP (i5-760) vs. null (i5-4690)
• Production status: End-of-life (i5-760) vs. null (i5-4690)

Both processors share identical core counts (4), thread counts (4), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), memory support (DDR3), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (false), market segment (Desktop), and multiplier lock (false). The i5-4690 has a higher average benchmark score (1375 vs. 1337) and a higher percentile ranking (36 vs. 35).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690 scores 671 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i5-760 scores 652, giving the i5-4690 a 2.8% advantage.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, the i5-4690 consistently leads by 2.7%. Specific scores are 479 vs. 466 (R15), 1996 vs. 1942 (R20), and 4754 vs. 4624 (R23).

Q: Does the older i5-760 have any cache advantage over the i5-4690?

A: Yes, the i5-760 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4690 has 6 MB. Both have identical 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 caches per core.

Q: What is the power consumption difference between the two CPUs?

A: The i5-760 has a TDP of 95 watts, while the i5-4690 has a lower TDP of 84 watts, despite having higher clock speeds.

Q: Do either of these processors support ECC memory?

A: No, both the i5-760 and the i5-4690 have ECC memory support listed as false.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 3?

A: Only the i5-4690 supports PCIe Gen 3. The i5-760 is limited to Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only).