Intel Core i5-4690K vs Intel Core i7-5700HQ Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-5700HQ wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 5154 versus 4828 for the Intel Core i5-4690K, a 6.3% advantage.

Q: Does the Core i5-4690K beat the Core i7-5700HQ in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Core i5-4690K wins both Geekbench tests by a wide margin: 21.1% in multi-core (3789 vs 3129) and 19.1% in single-core (1292 vs 1085).

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two chips?

A: The Core i5-4690K has a TDP of 88 watts, while the Core i7-5700HQ draws only 47 watts, making the i7 much more power-efficient.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Only the Core i5-4690K has an unlocked multiplier. The Core i7-5700HQ is locked.

Q: Which CPU supports more memory bandwidth?

A: The Core i7-5700HQ supports 29.9 GB/s of memory bandwidth, compared to 25.6 GB/s for the Core i5-4690K, despite both using dual-channel DDR3.

Q: How do these chips compare in overall benchmark standing?

A: Both sit at the 40th percentile among all CPUs. The Core i5-4690K has an average benchmark score of 1682, while the Core i7-5700HQ averages 1645.

The Verdict

The data splits this matchup into two clear use cases. The Intel Core i5-4690K is the pick for single-threaded and Geekbench-style workloads, where it leads by roughly 19 to 21 percent. The Intel Core i7-5700HQ takes every Cinebench test, multi-core and single-core alike, with margins between 6.2 and 6.8 percent.

For a desktop builder who values overclocking headroom, the i5-4690K is the obvious choice: it has an unlocked multiplier, a 3.50 GHz base clock, and a 3.90 GHz boost clock. The i7-5700HQ, by contrast, is a locked mobile-class chip in a BGA package, with a 2.70 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. Those clock deficits explain why it trails in single-core Geekbench despite winning Cinebench single-core, a quirk of workload design.

For a builder prioritizing power efficiency and multi-threaded rendering, the i7-5700HQ wins: its 47-watt TDP is barely half the i5's 88 watts, yet it still outperforms in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. The trade-off is clear: the i7 is not overclockable and uses a soldered BGA 1364 socket, so it belongs in a fixed platform, not an upgrade path.

Neither chip is a general victor. The i5-4690K owns the Geekbench suite and the overclocking niche. The i7-5700HQ owns Cinebench and the efficiency niche. Choose based on workload, not brand loyalty.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clean split: six wins for the Core i7-5700HQ, two for the Core i5-4690K.

Cinebench R15 multi-core: the i7-5700HQ scores 519 versus 486 for the i5-4690K, a 6.4% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core: 73 versus 68, a 6.8% lead for the i7. Cinebench R20 multi-core: 2164 versus 2027, a 6.3% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core: 305 versus 286, a 6.2% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 5154 versus 4828, a 6.3% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core: 727 versus 681, a 6.3% lead.

The i5-4690K fights back hard in Geekbench. Multi-core: 3789 versus 3129, a 21.1% lead. Single-core: 1292 versus 1085, a 19.1% lead. These are not marginal gaps; the i5 nearly doubles the i7's winning margins in its preferred tests.

The pattern suggests the i7-5700HQ's 8 threads give it an edge in Cinebench's rendering engine, which scales with thread count. The i5-4690K's higher clocks, 3.90 GHz boost versus 3.50 GHz, likely drive its Geekbench dominance, where the workload may favor raw frequency over thread parallelism.

Worth noting: the i7's Cinebench wins are consistent across three generations of the test (R15, R20, R23), with nearly identical delta percentages. The i5's Geekbench wins are equally consistent. Neither chip shows a mixed result within a benchmark family.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every physical and electrical specification.

Clock speeds: the i5-4690K runs at 3.50 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. The i7-5700HQ runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The i5 has a 0.80 GHz base clock advantage and a 0.40 GHz boost advantage.

Threads: the i5 has 4 threads, the i7 has 8 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

TDP: the i5 draws 88 watts, the i7 draws 47 watts. That is a 41-watt difference, making the i7 far more suitable for compact or thermally constrained systems.

Socket: the i5 uses Intel Socket 1150, a socketed desktop platform. The i7 uses Intel BGA 1364, a soldered ball-grid array, meaning it cannot be upgraded or swapped.

Process node: the i5 is built on 22 nm, the i7 on 14 nm. The i7's newer node explains part of its efficiency advantage.

Die size: the i5 measures 177 mm², the i7 measures 182 mm². Despite the smaller node, the i7's die is slightly larger.

Memory bandwidth: the i5 supports 25.6 GB/s, the i7 supports 29.9 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR3.

Integrated graphics: the i5 has Intel HD 4600, the i7 has Intel HD 5600. The i7's iGPU is a generation newer.

Multiplier: the i5 is unlocked, the i7 is locked.

Release date: the i5 launched in June 2014, the i7 in June 2015.

Launch MSRP: the i5 was $243, the i7 was $378.

Architecture Differences

The i5-4690K uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors. The i7-5700HQ uses Broadwell-H on a 14 nm process. This node shrink is the core architectural difference: it enables the i7 to deliver higher performance per watt, which is why a 47-watt chip can beat an 88-watt chip in multi-threaded Cinebench.

Cache layouts are identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The i7 does not gain extra cache from its newer architecture.

Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use DDR3 memory, though the i7's memory controller provides higher bandwidth (29.9 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s).

The i7's integrated graphics are Intel HD 5600, versus the i5's Intel HD 4600. The i7's iGPU benefits from the 14 nm process, which allows more graphics execution units within the same thermal envelope.

The i7's 8 threads come from Hyper-Threading, a feature the i5 lacks. This is the key architectural feature that explains the Cinebench multi-core results.

The i5's unlocked multiplier is an architectural feature for overclocking, while the i7's locked multiplier and BGA socket make it a fixed-function part.

Where Each One Wins

Multi-threaded rendering and productivity: the Core i7-5700HQ wins every Cinebench multi-core test. In R15, R20, and R23, it leads by 6.3 to 6.4 percent. Its 8 threads and 14 nm efficiency make it the better choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, or any workload that scales across threads. The fact that it achieves this at 47 watts TDP makes it especially attractive for laptops or small-form-factor desktops.

Single-threaded Geekbench workloads: the Core i5-4690K wins both Geekbench tests by 19 to 21 percent. Its higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.50 GHz gives it a clear edge in lightly threaded applications like web browsing, office suites, or legacy games that rely on one or two cores.

Overclocking and desktop upgrades: the i5-4690K is the only chip here with an unlocked multiplier. It also uses a socketed platform (Socket 1150), so a builder can pair it with a Z-series motherboard and push clocks beyond stock. The i7-5700HQ is soldered to its board, so no such flexibility exists.

Power-sensitive builds: the i7-5700HQ wins decisively on efficiency. Its 47-watt TDP is less than the i5's 88 watts, yet it still beats the i5 in Cinebench. For a quiet, cool, or battery-powered system, the i7 is the clear choice.

Legacy compatibility: the i5-4690K, released a year earlier in June 2014, fits the widely available Socket 1150 ecosystem. The i7-5700HQ, released June 2015, is confined to BGA 1364 boards. If you are upgrading an existing desktop, the i5 is the only practical option.

Balanced verdict: the database shows 6 benchmark wins for the i7-5700HQ and 2 for the i5-4690K, but the i5's wins are larger in magnitude. The i7 wins by about 6 percent consistently; the i5 wins by about 20 percent in its two tests. If your workload matches Geekbench's profile, the i5 is the stronger part. If it matches Cinebench's profile, the i7 is the stronger part. There is no all-around winner.