Intel Core i5-4690K vs Intel Core i7-4860HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between these two Haswell-era processors. The Intel Core i7-4860HQ wins six of the eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-4690K takes the remaining two. The most striking pattern is that the i7-4860HQ dominates every Cinebench test across three generations of that benchmark suite, while the i5-4690K counters decisively in Geekbench.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-4860HQ scores 533 against 486 for the i5-4690K, a 9.7% advantage. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided proportionally: 75 versus 68, a 10.3% lead for the mobile i7. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-4860HQ posts 2224 multi-core and 313 single-core, versus 2027 and 286 for the i5-4690K, again a 9.7% and 9.4% gap respectively. The R23 results continue the trend: 5297 multi-core and 747 single-core for the i7-4860HQ, compared to 4828 and 681 for the i5-4690K, maintaining a consistent 9.7% delta in both metrics.

The Geekbench results flip the script. The i5-4690K scores 3789 in multi-core, beating the i7-4860HQ's 3527 by 6.9%. The single-core Geekbench gap is the largest margin of any test: the i5-4690K's 1292 exceeds the i7-4860HQ's 1045 by 19.1%. This is a substantial reversal, and it suggests the two chips respond very differently to the workload characteristics of each benchmark suite. Cinebench favors the i7's additional threads, while Geekbench's particular mix rewards the i5's higher clock speeds.

In aggregate, the i7-4860HQ holds a 6-2 win record in these head-to-head tests. However, the average benchmark scores tell a closer story: the i7-4860HQ averages 1720 across all recorded benchmarks, while the i5-4690K averages 1682, a difference of only about 2.3%. The i7-4860HQ sits at the 41st percentile of all CPUs in the database, and the i5-4690K at the 40th, meaning both are essentially peers in the broader performance landscape.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm Haswell architecture, with the same 1,400 million transistor count and identical L1 and L2 cache structures: 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core respectively. Both have 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both lack ECC memory support. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The critical differences lie elsewhere. The i7-4860HQ is a mobile part with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the i5-4690K is a desktop chip running at 3.50 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. The i7 has 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading, whereas the i5 has only 4 threads with no HT. This thread advantage explains much of the Cinebench multi-core performance gap, despite the i5's higher clock speeds.

The power envelopes differ sharply: the i7-4860HQ has a TDP of 47 watts, while the i5-4690K draws 88 watts. That 41-watt delta reflects their intended usage contexts, mobile versus desktop. The i7-4860HQ uses the Intel BGA 1364 socket and is non-upgradeable, while the i5-4690K uses Intel Socket 1150 and has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The i7's codename is Crystalwell, its die size is 264 mm², and it integrates Intel HD 5200 graphics. The i5-4690K carries the Haswell codename, has a smaller 177 mm² die, and integrates Intel HD 4600 graphics. Both are end-of-life products, but the i7-4860HQ released in January 2014, while the i5-4690K launched in June 2014.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-4860HQ is the clear winner for multi-threaded rendering workloads. Across all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23), it holds a steady 9.7% multi-core advantage. This is directly attributable to its 8 threads versus 4, which allows it to process more parallel tasks simultaneously. For users running 3D rendering, video encoding, or other heavily threaded applications, the data consistently favors the i7-4860HQ.

The i5-4690K wins in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance where its 19.1% lead is the largest delta in the entire comparison. Its higher base and boost clocks (3.50/3.90 GHz versus 2.40/3.60 GHz) give it an edge in lightly threaded tasks that depend on raw clock speed rather than thread count. The i5 also wins Geekbench multi-core by 6.9%, suggesting that even with fewer threads, its clock advantage can overcome the i7's hyper-threading in certain workloads.

The overall benchmark averages are nearly identical, with the i7-4860HQ at 1720 and the i5-4690K at 1682. This means that for mixed or unpredictable workloads, neither chip has a decisive edge. The choice depends on whether the software in question scales with threads or with clock speed.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the i7-4860HQ is the better choice for multithreaded productivity workloads. Its consistent 9.7% lead across all Cinebench multi-core tests, from R15 through R23, demonstrates that its 8-thread configuration delivers measurable gains in rendering tasks. Users who regularly render scenes, compile code, or batch-process media will see tangible improvements with the i7-4860HQ.

The i5-4690K is the pick for single-thread-bound applications and for users who value higher clock speeds. Its 19.1% single-core Geekbench advantage is significant, and its 6.9% multi-core Geekbench win shows it can hold its own even in some threaded scenarios. The unlocked multiplier on the i5-4690K also allows for overclocking, which could extend its lead further in clock-sensitive tasks, though the data provided does not include overclocked results.

The i7-4860HQ's lower TDP of 47 watts versus 88 watts makes it more efficient per watt in the recorded data. However, it is a BGA part, permanently soldered to the motherboard, while the i5-4690K is socketed and upgradeable. The i5-4690K carries a launch MSRP of $243, while the i7-4860HQ has no recorded launch price.

For a desktop builder who prioritizes upgradeability and overclocking, the i5-4690K is the more flexible platform. For a mobile user or someone building a compact system where the CPU is fixed, the i7-4860HQ offers better multithreaded performance out of the box.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-4860HQ has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4690K has 4 threads.

Q: What is the clock speed difference between the two?

A: The i7-4860HQ has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i5-4690K has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz.

Q: Which CPU performs better in Cinebench R23?

A: The i7-4860HQ scores 5297 multi-core and 747 single-core, compared to the i5-4690K's 4828 multi-core and 681 single-core, giving the i7 a 9.7% lead in both metrics.

Q: Which CPU wins in Geekbench single-core?

A: The i5-4690K scores 1292, surpassing the i7-4860HQ's 1045 by 19.1%.

Q: Are both CPUs on the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use Intel's 22 nm process node and contain 1,400 million transistors.

Q: Can the i5-4690K be overclocked?

A: Yes, it has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-4860HQ does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4860HQ | Intel Core i5-4690K |

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

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| TDP | 47 W | 88 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Codename | Crystalwell | Haswell |

| Die Size | 264 mm² | 177 mm² |

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

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2014-01-31 | 2014-06-01 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SR1BP | SR21A |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $243 |