Intel Core i5-4690K vs Intel Core i7-4770HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4690K and Intel Core i7-4770HQ are both Haswell-era parts, but they target entirely different platforms. The data shows a clear split: the i7-4770HQ dominates in Cinebench across the board, while the i5-4690K takes decisive wins in Geekbench. This is a classic desktop-versus-mobile confrontation, and the benchmark results reflect the design priorities of each chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-4770HQ wins six of the eight head-to-head tests, and it does so with remarkable consistency. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7 scores 514 against the i5's 486, a 5.4% advantage. That margin holds almost perfectly across the Cinebench suite: R20 multicore shows 2144 versus 2027 (5.5% ahead), and R23 multicore shows 5106 versus 4828 (5.4% ahead). The single-core Cinebench results tell the same story, with the i7 leading by 5.6% in R15 (72 vs 68), 5.3% in R20 (302 vs 286), and 5.4% in R23 (720 vs 681). It is rare to see such uniform deltas across different benchmark versions, and it suggests the i7's advantage is structural rather than workload-specific.

The i5-4690K fights back hard in Geekbench, however. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 3789 versus the i7's 3407, an 11.2% win. The single-core Geekbench gap is even larger: 1292 versus 1013, a 27.5% margin that is the biggest delta in the entire comparison. These are not small differences. A 27.5% single-core lead is substantial enough to affect real-world responsiveness in lightly threaded applications.

Looking at the broader picture, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1682 for the i5 and 1660 for the i7 — placing both at the 40th percentile among all CPUs. The i5's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon D-1528, which scores 1677 (0.3% behind), while the i7 sits close to the Intel Core i5-7600T at 1664 (0.2% ahead). This tells a nuanced story: the two processors are overall equivalents, but they achieve parity through very different strengths.

Architecture Differences

Both chips are built on Intel's 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors, but the silicon itself differs. The i5-4690K is codenamed Haswell with a die size of 177 mm², while the i7-4770HQ uses the Crystalwell codename and a substantially larger 264 mm² die. This size difference is largely due to the i7's integrated Iris Pro graphics, which shows up as Intel HD 5200 versus the i5's Intel HD 4600.

The core configurations are where the bigger performance split originates. The i5-4690K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-4770HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. Both share the same cache hierarchy — 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3 — so the i7's extra threads are the primary driver of its multicore wins.

Clock speeds tell the opposite story. The i5 runs at 3.50 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost, versus the i7's 2.20 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. That 1.30 GHz base-clock gap and 0.50 GHz boost-clock gap explain why the i5 wins so decisively in Geekbench, which tends to favor raw frequency. The TDP reflects the platform split: the i5 draws 88 watts as a desktop part, while the i7 is rated at 47 watts for mobile use. Both use DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The sockets are incompatible, which is a crucial practical difference. The i5 uses Intel Socket 1150 with an unlocked multiplier, making it a classic overclocking chip. The i7 is soldered to Intel BGA 1364, is not socketed, and has a locked multiplier. The i5's part number is SR21A; the i7's is SR1ZW.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-4770HQ is the clear winner for multi-threaded productivity. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 5106 is 5.4% ahead of the i5's 4828, and the pattern repeats across R15 and R20. If your workload scales across threads — video encoding, 3D rendering, batch processing — the i7's Hyper-Threading delivers consistent gains. The 47-watt TDP also means it can sustain this performance in a laptop form factor, which is remarkable for a Haswell-generation part.

The i5-4690K wins where single-thread speed and low-latency responsiveness matter. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1292 is 27.5% higher than the i7's 1013, a massive gap that will show up in older games, legacy applications, and any software that is poorly optimized for multi-threading. The higher base and boost clocks give it a natural advantage in burst workloads. The i5 also wins Geekbench multicore at 3789 versus 3407, meaning that even in its weaker suite, it beats the i7 by 11.2% — likely because Geekbench's multicore test doesn't scale perfectly with thread count.

A practical split emerges: the i7-4770HQ is the better all-rounder for modern, threaded workloads, while the i5-4690K is the better pick for frequency-sensitive tasks. The i5's unlocked multiplier adds another dimension — it can be overclocked beyond its stock 3.90 GHz boost, which the locked i7 cannot do. Benchmark results at stock settings already favor the i5 in Geekbench; overclocking would widen that gap further.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i7-4770HQ if you need consistent multi-threaded performance in a mobile form factor. Its Cinebench wins are uniform across all three versions, ranging from 5.3% to 5.6% ahead of the i5, and the 8 threads make it the stronger choice for content creation on the go. The 47-watt TDP and BGA socket mean it belongs in a laptop, not a desktop build, but within that constraint it delivers excellent compute density.

Choose the Intel Core i5-4690K if you are building a desktop and prioritize single-core speed or overclocking. The 27.5% Geekbench single-core lead is the single largest performance gap in this comparison, and the unlocked multiplier means you can push it further. The 88-watt TDP and Socket 1150 make it a conventional desktop part with upgrade options. Its 40th percentile standing is identical to the i7's, so you are not sacrificing overall capability — you are trading multi-threaded Cinebench performance for single-threaded Geekbench dominance.

The data does not support a universal winner. The i7-4770HQ wins 6 of 8 benchmarks, but the i5-4690K wins the two Geekbench tests by margins large enough to matter. Your choice should hinge on whether your primary applications resemble Cinebench (threaded rendering) or Geekbench (mixed, frequency-sensitive tasks).

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-4770HQ wins every Cinebench multicore test, leading by 5.4% in R15 (514 vs 486), 5.5% in R20 (2144 vs 2027), and 5.4% in R23 (5106 vs 4828).

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The i7-4770HQ wins Cinebench single-core tests by about 5.3-5.6%, but the i5-4690K wins Geekbench single-core by 27.5% (1292 vs 1013).

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 physical cores. The i7-4770HQ has 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the i5-4690K has 4 threads.

Q: Are these CPUs compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The i5-4690K uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-4770HQ uses Intel BGA 1364, which is soldered to the board.

Q: Can the i5-4690K be overclocked?

A: Yes, the i5-4690K has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-4770HQ has a locked multiplier and cannot be overclocked.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-4690K has an average score of 1682, and the i7-4770HQ has 1660. Both sit at the 40th percentile among all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4690K | Intel Core i7-4770HQ |

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

| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 88 W | 47 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1364 |

| Codename | Haswell | Crystalwell |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 264 mm² |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 5200 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR21A | SR1ZW |

| Launch MSRP | $243 | None |