Intel Core i5-4690 vs Intel Xeon W-2104 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a consistent picture across every recorded workload. The Intel Core i5-4690 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, though the margins are narrow in every case. The largest advantage appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i5-4690 scores 479 against the Xeon W-2104's 470, a 1.9% lead. Single-core performance in the same test shows a 1.5% gap, with the i5-4690 posting 67 versus 66.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The i5-4690 scores 1996 in multi-core compared to 1960 for the Xeon, a 1.8% difference. The single-core result is 281 versus 276, again 1.8% in favor of the i5-4690. Cinebench R23 repeats this exact margin: 4754 against 4669 in multi-core, and 671 against 659 in single-core, both representing a 1.8% advantage for the i5-4690.

What is notable here is the uniformity of the gap. Across all three Cinebench generations, the delta hovers near 1.8% regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded. This suggests the performance difference is not workload-specific but rather a consistent underlying characteristic of the two chips. The i5-4690's higher base clock of 3.40 GHz compared to the Xeon's 3.20 GHz likely explains the sustained edge, since both processors have identical core and thread counts.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce this close relationship. The i5-4690 holds an average score of 1375, placing it 36th percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 at 1376 (a 0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i7-3740QM at 1378 (0.2% away). The Xeon W-2104 averages 1350, also at the 36th percentile, with rivals like the Intel Core i5-7400T at 1348 (0.1% lower) and the Intel Core i5-4670 at 1347 (0.2% lower). Both chips sit in essentially the same performance tier, surrounded by similar quad-core parts from multiple generations.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and serve different market segments. The Core i5-4690 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node, while the Xeon W-2104 uses Skylake-W on a 14 nm node. The newer manufacturing process gives the Xeon a denser transistor layout, though the i5-4690's die size is listed at 177 mm² with 1,400 million transistors, while the Xeon's die size is considerably larger at 484 mm² with no transistor count recorded.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache doubles from 256 KB per core on the i5-4690 to 1 MB per core on the Xeon. The shared L3 cache also increases, from 6 MB on the i5-4690 to 8.25 MB on the Xeon. These larger caches on the Xeon could theoretically benefit workloads with high data reuse, yet the benchmark results show the i5-4690 still maintains its lead, suggesting the clock speed advantage outweighs the cache disparity in these Cinebench workloads.

Memory support marks a clear divide. The i5-4690 uses DDR3 with a dual-channel memory bus, while the Xeon W-2104 supports DDR4 through a quad-channel interface with a recorded memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i5-4690. The Xeon provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4690 lists simply Gen 3 without a lane count. The i5-4690 includes integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics, whereas the Xeon has no integrated graphics listed.

The Xeon carries a TDP of 120 watts versus 84 watts for the i5-4690, a significant power draw increase that reflects its workstation-oriented design. Socket compatibility separates them entirely: the i5-4690 fits Intel Socket 1150, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 2066. The Xeon is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the i5-4690 has no production status recorded. The Xeon's release date of 2017-08-28 comes roughly three years after the i5-4690's 2014-04-30 debut.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Intel Xeon W-2104 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and no boost clock recorded.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. Neither processor supports hyper-threading, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon W-2104 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-4690 lacks this feature.

Q: How much memory bandwidth does the Xeon W-2104 provide?

A: The Xeon W-2104 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, enabled by its quad-channel DDR4 memory bus. The i5-4690 uses dual-channel DDR3 with no bandwidth figure recorded.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4690 has an average benchmark score of 1375, while the Intel Xeon W-2104 averages 1350. Both sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690 includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The Intel Xeon W-2104 has no integrated graphics listed.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4690 | Intel Xeon W-2104 |

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

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | Not recorded |

| TDP | 84 W | 120 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Skylake-W |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 484 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8.25 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 85.3 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 48 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

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

| Release Date | 2014-04-30 | 2017-08-28 |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $255 |

| Part Number | None recorded | SR3LH |

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a narrow but consistent winner. The Intel Core i5-4690 outperforms the Intel Xeon W-2104 in every recorded test, with margins ranging from 1.5% to 1.9%. This advantage holds across single-core and multi-core workloads alike, making the i5-4690 the stronger choice for raw Cinebench performance.

However, the verdict depends heavily on what the user prioritizes. The Xeon W-2104 counters with a substantially different feature set: ECC memory support, quad-channel DDR4 with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, a larger 8.25 MB L3 cache, and double the L2 cache per core. Its 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and workstation-oriented design target reliability and expandability rather than peak single-thread speed. The i5-4690's integrated graphics and lower 84 watt TDP make it the more self-contained and power-efficient option.

For anyone requiring ECC memory or the memory bandwidth of a quad-channel DDR4 setup, the Xeon W-2104 is the only valid choice between these two. The i5-4690 does not offer either feature. Conversely, for desktop workloads where integrated graphics and lower power consumption matter, the i5-4690 holds the advantage. Its boost clock of 3.80 GHz also gives it headroom that the Xeon lacks entirely.

The Xeon's end-of-life production status is worth noting. The database marks it as no longer in production, while the i5-4690 has no such status recorded. That distinction does not affect benchmark performance, but it may factor into availability considerations.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4690 wins in every performance metric recorded in the database. It leads by 1.9% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 1.5% in R15 single-core, and 1.8% across R20 and R23 in both single and multi-core tests. Users whose primary concern is raw Cinebench scores should choose the i5-4690 without hesitation.

The i5-4690 also wins on power efficiency, drawing 84 watts compared to the Xeon's 120 watts. Its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics makes it a complete desktop package, eliminating the need for a separate GPU in basic configurations. The boost clock of 3.80 GHz provides automatic performance scaling that the Xeon cannot match, as the Xeon has no boost clock recorded.

The Intel Xeon W-2104 wins in enterprise and workstation features. Its ECC memory support protects against data corruption in critical workloads. The quad-channel DDR4 interface with 85.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth offers substantially higher throughput than the i5-4690's dual-channel DDR3 setup. The larger L3 cache of 8.25 MB and the 1 MB per-core L2 cache provide more on-die storage for data-heavy applications. The 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes support extensive expansion options, and the Xeon's server/workstation market segment designation reflects its intended role in professional environments.

The Xeon's launch MSRP of $255 places it in a different tier than the i5-4690, which has no recorded launch price. That pricing difference aligns with their target markets: the i5-4690 as a mainstream desktop part, the Xeon as a professional workstation component. For users building a system around ECC memory, quad-channel bandwidth, or high lane-count PCIe expansion, the Xeon W-2104 is the appropriate pick despite its benchmark deficit. The data shows these are not truly competing products in the traditional sense; they simply occupy different niches that happen to intersect on core count and thread count.