Intel Core i5-4690S vs Intel Core i7-3770S Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4690S and Intel Core i7-3770S represent two distinct approaches to desktop computing from Intel, separated by two years and different architectures. The i5-4690S is a Haswell part on Socket 1150, while the i7-3770S is an Ivy Bridge part on Socket 1155. Both are 65-watt, four-core processors, but the i7-3770S adds Hyper-Threading, bringing its thread count to eight versus four on the i5-4690S. The benchmark data shows a split result: the i7-3770S wins in Cinebench tests across the board, while the i5-4690S dominates in Geekbench. This divergence highlights how different workloads respond to thread count versus architectural improvements and memory bandwidth.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the Geekbench discrepancy. The i5-4690S scores 3251 in Geekbench multicore, while the i7-3770S scores 2220. This is a 46.4% advantage for the i5-4690S. In single-core Geekbench, the i5-4690S scores 1,163 versus 655 for the i7-3770S, a 77.6% margin. The i5-4690S wins both Geekbench tests decisively. The data indicates that the Haswell architecture, with its newer memory controller and improved instruction handling, delivers substantially higher Geekbench performance. The i7-3770S cannot compensate with its additional threads in this particular test.

However, the Cinebench tests tell a different story. Across all six Cinebench tests, the i7-3770S wins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3770S scores 529 versus 464 for the i5-4690S, a 12.3% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 74 versus 65, a 12.2% delta. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20: multicore 2,205 versus 1,935 (12.2% delta), single-core 311 versus 273 (12.2% delta). Cinebench R23 multicore sees the i7-3770S at 5,251 versus 4,609, again a 12.2% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 741 versus 650, a 12.3% delta. The i7-3770S is consistently about 12% faster in every Cinebench variant.

The overall win count favors the i7-3770S with 6 wins out of 8 benchmarks. Yet the average benchmark scores tell a narrower story. The i5-4690S has an average score of 1,551, while the i7-3770S averages 1,498. The i5-4690S actually has a higher average because its Geekbench wins are so large, despite losing all Cinebench tests. The percentile rankings are close: the i5-4690S sits at the 39th percentile of all CPUs, and the i7-3770S at the 38th percentile.

The database shows a few nearby rivals for context. The i5-4690S sits near the Intel Core i7-4760HQ (average score 1,549, 0.2% slower), the Intel Core i3-9300 (1,554, 0.2% faster), the Intel Xeon E3-1268L v5 (1,557, 0.4% faster), and the AMD FX-8350 (1,557, 0.4% faster). For the i7-3770S, the closest rivals are the Intel Core i3-8100T (1,500, 0.1% faster), the Intel Core i5-4590S (1,493, 0.4% slower), the AMD Opteron 6344 (1,492, 0.4% slower), and the Intel Core i5-7500T (1,483, 1.0% slower). These deltas show that both processors are functionally in the same performance class in the database, despite the individual test differences.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3770S takes every Cinebench test, from R15 through R23, in both multicore and single-core variants. Cinebench is a rendering workload that scales well with threads. The i7-3770S has 8 threads versus 4, which explains its multicore wins. But it also wins single-core Cinebench, which suggests its base clock of 3.10 GHz and boost clock of 3.90 GHz are sufficient, and the extra threads may help with internal scheduling or the test’s structure. The consistent 12% delta across all Cinebench versions points to a thread-count advantage that carry through. For users running 3D rendering, video encoding, or other multi-threaded content creation, the i7-3770S is the stronger choice in this comparison.

The i5-4690S wins both Geekbench tests. Geekbench includes a mix of integer, floating-point, and memory tests. The i5-4690S’s Haswell architecture supports faster memory bandwidth at 25.6 GB/s, while the i7-3770S has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. The i5-4690S also has a base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 3.10 GHz for the i7-3770S, though both boost to 3.90 GHz. The 77.6% single-core Geekbench win suggests that per-core performance is far higher on Haswell. For tasks like web browsing, office applications, or any single-threaded workloads, the i5-4690S is clearly superior.

The data shows no scenario where the i7-3770S wins Geekbench or the i5-4690S wins Cinebench. So the choice comes down to workload type. If the measurement environment uses Cinebench as a proxy for rendering, the i7-3770S is the winner. If Geekbench represents more general-purpose tasks, the i5-4690S wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 22 nm process node, using Intel as the foundry. Both have 1,400 million transistors. The die size differs: the i5-4690S measures 177 mm², while the i7-3770S is 160 mm². The i5-4690S uses the Haswell architecture, and the i7-3770S uses Ivy Bridge. Haswell came later and introduces a new microarchitecture with improvements in instruction execution, branch prediction, and memory latency. Ivy Bridge is older, but it adds Hyper-Threading, which Haswell desktop i5 processors do not have.

The socket and platform are different. The i5-4690S uses Intel Socket 1150, which supports the 9-series and other chipsets. The i7-3770S uses Intel Socket 1155. This means they are not drop-in replacements; upgrading one to the other requires a motherboard change. The i5-4690S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-3770S has 4 cores and 8 threads. This double thread count is the primary architectural feature difference.

Cache layout is also different. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache differs: the i5-4690S has 6 MB shared, while the i7-3770S has 8 MB shared. The extra 2 MB of L3 cache benefits the i7-3770S, particularly in workloads that reuse data. The i5-4690S has the Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, while the i7-3770S has the Intel HD 4000. The HD 4600 is a newer generation, but the database does not provide performance figures for iGPU, so a direct comparison is not possible.

Memory support is the same: both support DDR3, and both are dual-channel. The i5-4690S has a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i7-3770S has no listed bandwidth. The i5-4690S’s higher bandwidth likely contributes to its Geekbench wins, as memory tests are part of that benchmark. Neither supports ECC memory. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 Lanes from the CPU. The release dates differ: the i5-4690S was released on 2014-04-30, and the i7-3770S on 2012-04-28. The i5-4690S has a launch MSRP of $224, while the i7-3770S has no launch MSRP in the database.

Specification Differences

| Feature | Intel Core i5-4690S | Intel Core i7-3770S |

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

| Architecture | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

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

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 160 mm² |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Release Date | 2014-04-30 | 2012-04-28 |

| Launch MSRP | $224 | Not listed |

| Part Number | SR1QP | SR0PN |

The table shows the key differences. The i5-4690S has a higher base clock by 0.10 GHz, but both boost to 3.90 GHz. The i7-3770S has more threads and more L3 cache. The i5-4690S has a larger die size and higher memory bandwidth. The i5-4690S is a later release with a recorded launch MSRP. The i7-3770S lacks a launch MSRP in the database.

The specifications show that the i7-3770S was designed for more simultaneous threads, with a higher core count via Hyper-Threading. The i5-4690S was designed for higher per-core performance and faster memory. The TDP is identical at 65 watts for both, making them equally power-hungry on paper. The process node is the same at 22 nm, so the difference in die size suggests a different layout, but the transistor count is the same at 1,400 million.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4690S has 4 threads. Both have 4 cores.

Q: Who has the larger L3 cache?

A: The i7-3770S has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4690S has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are the two processors compatible with same motherboard?

A: No, the i5-4690S uses Intel Socket 1150, and the i7-3770S uses Intel Socket 1155.

Q: What is the most significant single-core performance loss in the comparison?

A: In Geekbench single-core, the i5-4690S scores 1,163 versus 655 for the i7-3770S, a delta of 77.6%.

Q: Which processor performs better in Cinebench R15?

A: The i7-3770S scores 529 in multicore and 74 in single-core, versus 464 and 65 for the i5-4690S. The i7-3770S wins.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark score?

A: The i5-4690S has an average benchmark score of 1,551, and the i7-3770S has an average of 1,498. The i5-4690S is slightly higher.

The data shows a clear split. For Cinebench workloads, the i7-3770S is consistently about 12% faster across all versions. For Geekbench workloads, the i5-4690S is far ahead, with single-core performance nearly double. The average benchmark score slightly favors the i5-4690S, but the percentile ranks are close. The i7-3770S has more threads and more cache, while the i5-4690S has a newer architecture and higher memory bandwidth. The choice between them depends entirely on the target workload. The database records no scenario where both processors win the same benchmark.