Intel Core i5-4690K vs Intel Core i7-8560U Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear, head-to-head comparison between two Intel processors from different eras and market segments: the mobile-focused Core i7-8560U and the desktop Core i5-4690K. The recorded results show a consistent pattern across all six Cinebench tests, with the newer mobile chip taking every single win. This analysis will walk through the specific numbers, the architectural reasons behind the performance gap, and the practical implications for each processor’s target use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Core i7-8560U scores 568 points against 486 for the Core i5-4690K, a delta of 16.9%. The single-core R15 result follows the same trend: 80 points for the i7-8560U versus 68 for the i5-4690K, a 17.6% advantage. These are not marginal differences; they indicate a substantial performance lead for the mobile processor in both lightly threaded and fully threaded workloads.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds exactly. The multicore scores are 2369 for the i7-8560U and 2027 for the i5-4690K, again a 16.9% gap. Single-core R20 shows 334 versus 286, a 16.8% difference. The consistency of these deltas across different Cinebench versions is notable. It suggests that the performance relationship between these two chips is stable regardless of the specific rendering workload or scoring methodology.

The most recent Cinebench R23 results reinforce the trend. The i7-8560U posts a multicore score of 5641, while the i5-4690K manages 4828, a 16.8% lead. In single-core R23, the scores are 796 and 681 respectively, a 16.9% advantage. Across all six recorded benchmarks, the i7-8560U wins every single one, with deltas ranging from 16.8% to 17.6%. There is no test in this dataset where the older desktop chip comes out ahead.

It is also worth placing these scores in the broader database context. The i7-8560U has an average benchmark score of 1631, placing it in the 39th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-4690K has a slightly higher average score of 1682, placing it in the 40th percentile. This is a curious inversion: the i5-4690K has a higher average score, yet it loses every head-to-head Cinebench test. The explanation lies in the different benchmark sets. The i5-4690K has additional Geekbench scores recorded (3789 multicore, 1292 singlecore), which pull its average up. The i7-8560U lacks those Geekbench entries in this dataset, so its average is based solely on the Cinebench results, where it is consistently faster.

Architecture Differences

The performance gap is rooted in significant architectural and manufacturing differences. The Core i7-8560U is built on Intel’s 14 nm process node and uses the Whiskey Lake architecture, specifically the Whiskey Lake-U codename. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabled by Hyper-Threading. Its base clock is 1800 MHz, but it boosts to 4600 MHz. The Core i5-4690K, in contrast, is a 22 nm Haswell part with 4 cores and 4 threads, no Hyper-Threading. Its base clock is higher at 3500 MHz, but its boost clock is lower at 3900 MHz.

The i7-8560U’s higher boost clock, combined with its ability to run 8 threads, explains its lead in both single-core and multicore tests. The i5-4690K’s higher base clock does not help in sustained turbo scenarios, as the i7-8560U can ramp up to a 4.6 GHz boost. The transistor counts and die sizes also differ dramatically. The i5-4690K has 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, while the i7-8560U’s transistor count is not recorded in the database. The 14 nm process allows for denser packing and lower power consumption.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. The L3 cache is larger on the i7-8560U: 8 MB shared, versus 6 MB shared on the i5-4690K. This larger last-level cache can reduce memory latency and improve performance in cache-sensitive workloads. Memory support is another differentiator. The i7-8560U supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-4690K is limited to DDR3, also dual-channel, with a lower bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Thermal design power (TDP) is a major divergence. The i7-8560U has a TDP of 15 watts, a mobile-class part designed for thin laptops. The i5-4690K has a TDP of 88 watts, a desktop part designed for higher sustained performance with adequate cooling. The i5-4690K is socketed on Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-8560U is soldered on Intel BGA 1528. The i5-4690K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking; the i7-8560U does not. Integrated graphics also differ: the i7-8560U features UHD Graphics 620, while the i5-4690K has Intel HD 4600.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Core i7-8560U wins in every measured category. For users running Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, whether single-core or multicore, the i7-8560U is the faster processor. This includes both short renders and longer, more demanding multi-threaded tasks. The single-core wins are particularly relevant for everyday responsiveness, application launch times, and lightly threaded software.

The i5-4690K’s only advantages in this dataset are contextual rather than performance-based. It has a higher average benchmark score (1682 versus 1631), but this is due to the inclusion of Geekbench results in its record, not because it outperforms the i7-8560U in any shared test. The i5-4690K also has an unlocked multiplier, which allows overclocking; the recorded data does not include any overclocked benchmark results, so its potential beyond stock settings is not quantified here.

For workloads that rely on the processor’s memory bandwidth, the i7-8560U holds a clear edge with 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s. This could matter for memory-intensive tasks like large data set manipulation or certain scientific computing workloads. For users on a desktop platform with a Socket 1150 motherboard, the i5-4690K is the only option that fits, but that is a platform constraint, not a performance advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-8560U wins every single-core test. It scores 80 in R15, 334 in R20, and 796 in R23, against 68, 286, and 681 for the i5-4690K, respectively. The deltas range from 16.8% to 17.6%.

Q: Does the i5-4690K have any benchmark wins?

A: No. Across all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, the i7-8560U wins 6 and the i5-4690K wins 0. The i5-4690K’s higher average benchmark score comes from additional Geekbench results that are not present in the i7-8560U’s record.

Q: What is the difference in thread count?

A: The i7-8560U has 8 threads, while the i5-4690K has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores. The i7-8560U’s Hyper-Threading capability contributes to its multicore lead.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare?

A: The i7-8560U boosts to 4600 MHz, while the i5-4690K boosts to 3900 MHz. The i5-4690K has a higher base clock (3500 MHz versus 1800 MHz), but the i7-8560U’s higher turbo frequency is a key factor in its single-core wins.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-8560U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4690K has 6 MB. Both have identical L1 and L2 cache sizes per core.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i7-8560U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the i5-4690K has a TDP of 88 watts. This makes the i7-8560U far more power-efficient, but the i5-4690K is designed for desktop systems with robust cooling.

The Verdict

The recorded data is decisive. The Intel Core i7-8560U outperforms the Intel Core i5-4690K in every benchmark they share, with a consistent margin of roughly 17%. For any user focused on Cinebench rendering performance, whether single-core or multi-core, the i7-8560U is the superior choice. Its higher boost clock, additional threads, larger L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth all contribute to this result.

The i5-4690K’s case rests on factors outside the benchmark scores. It has an unlocked multiplier, which could theoretically allow overclocking to close the gap, but no such results are recorded in this database. It also has a higher average benchmark score, but that is a statistical artifact of having Geekbench scores included in its record. For users on a desktop platform with a Socket 1150 motherboard, the i5-4690K is the compatible option, but it is not the faster one.

The i7-8560U’s 15-watt TDP is remarkable given its performance, making it an excellent choice for mobile systems where power efficiency matters. The i5-4690K’s 88-watt TDP and desktop socket make it a legacy part for existing builds, not a competitive performer against the newer mobile chip. The data suggests that users should choose the i7-8560U for raw performance and efficiency, while the i5-4690K remains relevant only for those with an existing Haswell desktop platform.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-8560U | Intel Core i5-4690K |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1800.00 MHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 88 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1528 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Whiskey Lake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 620 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2018-09-30 | 2014-06-01 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRGML | SR21A |