Intel Core i5-4690 vs Intel Core i7-3820QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3820QM and Intel Core i5-4690 are two processors from different eras and market segments, yet their benchmark scores place them in a remarkably tight contest. The data shows a decisive, though narrow, victory for the mobile i7 across every recorded test, despite the desktop i5 having higher clock speeds and a newer architecture. This head-to-head analysis reveals how core count and thread count can offset architectural advantages, making the choice between these two CPUs far from straightforward.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking observation from the head-to-head data is the consistency of the i7-3820QM's lead. Across all six benchmark tests, the mobile chip wins, but the margins are razor-thin. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i7-3820QM scores 481 against the i5-4690's 479, a delta of just 0.4%. The single-core scores for the same test are exactly tied at 67, though the data credits the i7 with the win based on a 0% delta.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The i7-3820QM's multicore score of 2006 edges out the i5-4690's 1996 by 0.5%, while the single-core result shows a 283 to 281 split in favor of the i7, a 0.7% margin. The largest delta recorded is just 0.7%, indicating that neither chip can pull away from the other in any meaningful way.

The Cinebench R23 results continue the trend with multicore scores of 4777 for the i7-3820QM and 4754 for the i5-4690, representing a 0.5% gap. Single-core performance in R23 shows the i7 ahead at 674 versus 671, a 0.4% difference. The i7-3820QM also holds a significant lead in Geekbench tests, though these are not part of the direct head-to-head comparison. The i7-3820QM's Geekbench multicore score is 2041 compared to its single-core score of 601, while the i5-4690 does not have Geekbench results in the fact pack.

What does this tell us? The i7-3820QM wins 6 out of 6 head-to-head benchmarks, but the average delta of roughly 0.4% is so small that it falls within normal run-to-run variance. The data suggests that in raw computational throughput, these two processors are effectively equivalent, with the i7's 8 threads providing just enough uplift to overcome the i5's clock speed advantage.

The Verdict

From the data alone, the Intel Core i7-3820QM is the clear winner in every benchmark where the two are directly compared. Its 6 wins and 0 losses in the head-to-head table make it the superior choice for anyone prioritizing peak performance in Cinebench workloads. The i7-3820QM achieves this despite having a base clock of 2.70 GHz and boost clock of 3.70 GHz, both lower than the i5-4690's 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost.

However, the context of each processor's design matters. The i7-3820QM is a mobile part with a 45W TDP, while the i5-4690 is a desktop part with an 84W TDP. The i5-4690 consumes nearly double the power yet still loses to the i7 in all tests. This makes the i7-3820QM the more efficient performer, though the i5-4690's higher power budget suggests it may sustain performance differently under prolonged load, a factor not captured in these short benchmark runs.

For a desktop user seeking a drop-in processor for a Socket 1150 motherboard, the i5-4690 is the only logical choice between the two, as the i7-3820QM uses a different socket entirely. But for raw performance per benchmark score, the i7-3820QM edges out the i5-4690 in every test, making it the data-backed winner for compute-bound tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct Intel microarchitectures. The i7-3820QM is built on Ivy Bridge, while the i5-4690 uses Haswell. Both are manufactured on a 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry, and both pack the same transistor count of 1,400 million. The die sizes differ, with the i7-3820QM measuring 160 mm² and the i5-4690 coming in slightly larger at 177 mm².

The cache hierarchy shows a key difference: the i7-3820QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4690 has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The larger L3 cache on the i7 likely helps its 8 threads share data more effectively, contributing to its narrow benchmark wins.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-3820QM ships with Intel HD 4000, while the i5-4690 includes Intel HD 4600. The HD 4600 is the newer generation and generally more capable, but the fact pack provides no benchmark scores for either GPU, so this cannot be quantified.

The release dates show the i7-3820QM launched on 2012-04-28, while the i5-4690 followed on 2014-04-30. This two-year gap explains the architectural progression from Ivy Bridge to Haswell, yet the older mobile chip still holds its own in CPU benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals several clear distinctions between the two processors. The most fundamental difference is core and thread counts: the i7-3820QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-4690 has 4 cores and 4 threads. This hyper-threading advantage is the primary reason the i7 wins in multicore tests despite lower clocks.

Clock speeds favor the i5-4690. Its base clock of 3.40 GHz is 0.7 GHz higher than the i7-3820QM's 2.70 GHz, and its boost clock of 3.80 GHz is 0.1 GHz higher than the i7's 3.70 GHz. Despite this, the i7 still wins in single-core tests, suggesting the larger L3 cache or other architectural factors compensate for the clock deficit.

The TDP difference is substantial: 45W for the i7-3820QM versus 84W for the i5-4690. This reflects their intended markets, with the i7 designed for laptops and the i5 for desktops. The socket types are incompatible, with the i7 using Intel BGA 1224 and the i5 using Intel Socket 1150.

Memory support differs, with the i5-4690 explicitly supporting DDR3 memory while the i7-3820QM's memory support is not listed. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i5-4690 also has PCIe Gen 3 support, while the i7-3820QM's PCIe capabilities are not specified. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers, meaning overclocking is not possible.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3820QM has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4690 has 4 threads. Both have 4 cores.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-3820QM scores 4777, while the i5-4690 scores 4754. The i7 leads by 0.5% in this test.

Q: Do both processors use the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both are built on a 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry, and both have 1,400 million transistors.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i5-4690 has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, which is 0.1 GHz higher than the i7-3820QM's 3.70 GHz boost clock.

Q: Can these processors be used in the same motherboard?

A: No. The i7-3820QM uses Intel BGA 1224 socket, while the i5-4690 uses Intel Socket 1150. They are physically incompatible.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The i7-3820QM has an average benchmark score of 1366, while the i5-4690 has an average benchmark score of 1375. The i5 is slightly higher in this aggregate measure.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3820QM wins in all six direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons, making it the superior choice for Cinebench-based workloads. Its 8 threads provide a clear advantage in heavily threaded applications, as evidenced by its multicore scores of 481, 2006, and 4777 in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 respectively. The i7 also wins in single-core tests, despite its lower clock speeds, suggesting the larger 8 MB L3 cache helps boost per-thread performance.

The Intel Core i5-4690 wins in the broader context of its average benchmark score, which stands at 1375 compared to the i7-3820QM's 1366. This aggregate metric, which includes benchmarks not in the direct head-to-head comparison, gives the i5 a slight edge. The i5 also wins on power efficiency per clock speed, achieving comparable results with a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz while consuming 84W of power.

For use cases, the i7-3820QM is the clear pick for mobile computing, as it is a mobile processor with a 45W TDP designed for laptops. The i5-4690 is the desktop choice, offering newer Haswell architecture, DDR3 memory support, and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity. If a system requires a Socket 1150 motherboard, the i5-4690 is the only option. If raw benchmark wins are the sole criterion, the i7-3820QM takes the crown, but the i5-4690's higher average score and desktop-oriented features make it a compelling alternative for users who prioritize platform compatibility and newer architecture features.