CPU Comparison

The Intel Processor N97 and Intel Core i5-4690T are both 4-core, 4-thread processors, but they represent radically different eras of Intel design. The data shows a clear split: the N97 dominates in single-threaded workloads and legacy multi-core tests, while the i5-4690T takes a decisive lead in the modern Cinebench R23 multi-core metric. With nearly identical average benchmark scores (1132 vs 1129) and both sitting at the 32nd percentile, the choice between them depends entirely on which workload generation you prioritize.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Processor N97 edges out the Intel Core i5-4690T by a razor-thin margin, scoring 1132 compared to 1129. This 0.3% difference places them in the same performance tier, with both achieving the 32nd percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690T is the clear winner here, scoring 3905 versus the N97's 2913. This represents a 25.4% advantage for the older Haswell chip, making it the better choice for sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N97 dominates single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 973 against the i5-4690T's 551, a massive 76.6% lead. The gap widens even further in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the N97's 161 score is 192.7% higher than the i5-4690T's 55.

Q: What are the TDP differences between these two processors?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has a dramatically lower TDP of 12 watts, compared to the Intel Core i5-4690T's 45 watts. This makes the N97 far more power-efficient, though the i5-4690T's higher power budget contributes to its multi-core advantage.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Processor N97 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a single-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-4690T supports only DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, slightly higher than the Intel Core i5-4690T's 3.50 GHz. However, the i5-4690T has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz compared to the N97's 2.00 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Processor N97 and Intel Core i5-4690T are built on fundamentally different architectures separated by nearly a decade of silicon evolution. The N97 uses the Gracemont architecture on a 10 nm process node, part of the Alder Lake-N generation, while the i5-4690T uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node. This process shrink is a major factor in the N97's power efficiency, enabling its 12-watt TDP versus the i5-4690T's 45-watt TDP.

Cache layouts reveal another key architectural divergence. The N97 allocates 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of shared L2 cache, while the i5-4690T has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. Both share 6 MB of L3 cache, but their L2 strategies differ fundamentally: the N97 pools its L2 across cores, whereas the i5-4690T gives each core its own dedicated L2 slice.

Memory support is starkly different. The N97 is designed for modern memory standards, supporting DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-4690T is locked to DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. Despite having a narrower memory bus, the N97 achieves higher raw bandwidth thanks to newer memory technology.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The N97 provides Gen 3 with 9 lanes, while the i5-4690T offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The i5-4690T's additional lanes make it more suitable for expansion cards, though the N97's integrated UHD Graphics 730 is a newer integrated GPU compared to the i5-4690T's Intel HD 4600. The N97 targets the mobile segment with a BGA 1264 socket, while the i5-4690T is a desktop part on Socket 1150. The i5-4690T's die is documented at 177 mm² with 1,400 million transistors, while the N97's die size and transistor count are not specified.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Intel Processor N97 is the superior choice for single-threaded performance and legacy multi-core workloads, while the Intel Core i5-4690T is the better option for modern multi-threaded rendering. The N97 wins 3 out of 4 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the one loss is significant.

Pick the Intel Processor N97 if you prioritize single-core responsiveness, power efficiency, or modern memory support. Its 76.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 192.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core are overwhelming. The 12-watt TDP makes it ideal for power-constrained mobile applications, and its DDR4/DDR5 support future-proofs memory compatibility.

Pick the Intel Core i5-4690T if your workloads are dominated by sustained multi-threaded rendering. Its 25.4% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core (3905 vs 2913) is substantial and directly relevant to modern content creation. The dual-channel memory bus and 16 PCIe lanes also provide better platform expansion capability for desktop builds.

For general-purpose use, the processors are effectively tied. Their average benchmark scores differ by only 0.3%, and both sit at the 32nd percentile. The decision should come down to workload mix: single-threaded tasks favor the N97, multi-threaded rendering favors the i5-4690T.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Processor N97 | Intel Core i5-4690T |

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

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 2500.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 12 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1264 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Gracemont | Haswell |

| Generation | Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N) | Core i5 (Haswell) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | Not specified | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | Not specified | 177 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (shared) | 256 KB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Single-channel | Dual-channel |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 9 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2023-01-02 | 2014-04-30 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results reveal a fascinating split between test generations. In Cinebench R15, the Intel Processor N97 wins both tests decisively. The multi-core test shows the N97 scoring 479 against the i5-4690T's 393, a 21.9% advantage. The single-core test is even more lopsided: the N97's 161 score is 192.7% higher than the i5-4690T's 55.

However, the Cinebench R23 results tell a different story. In the multi-core test, the Intel Core i5-4690T reverses the trend with a score of 3905 versus the N97's 2913, giving it a 25.4% lead. This is the i5-4690T's only win, but it is a substantial one. In R23 single-core, the N97 reasserts dominance with a 973 score against 551, a 76.6% advantage.

The R15 to R23 performance shift suggests that the i5-4690T scales better with the increased complexity and duration of modern multi-threaded workloads. The N97's Gracemont architecture, while efficient, appears to hit a thermal or power ceiling that limits sustained multi-core performance. Meanwhile, the i5-4690T's higher 45-watt TDP and dual-channel memory allow it to maintain stronger performance over longer rendering tasks.

The single-core results are unambiguous. The N97's modern architecture delivers massive single-threaded gains, with leads of 76.6% in R23 and 192.7% in R15. This makes the N97 dramatically more responsive for everyday tasks, legacy applications, and any workload that relies on single-threaded performance.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Processor N97 wins in:

• Single-threaded performance across all tested benchmarks, with leads of 76.6% (R23) and 192.7% (R15)
• Legacy multi-core workloads, as shown by its 21.9% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core
• Power efficiency, with a 12-watt TDP versus the i5-4690T's 45 watts
• Modern memory support with DDR4 and DDR5 compatibility
• Higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s
• Newer integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730 vs Intel HD 4600)

Intel Core i5-4690T wins in:

• Modern multi-threaded rendering, with a 25.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (3905 vs 2913)
• Platform expansion, offering 16 PCIe lanes versus the N97's 9
• Dual-channel memory architecture, which contributes to its multi-core performance
• Desktop form factor with Socket 1150, enabling easier upgrades and cooling solutions

The use-case split is clear. For a mobile or power-constrained system where single-threaded responsiveness and energy efficiency matter most, the Intel Processor N97 is the data-backed choice. For a desktop build focused on modern multi-threaded rendering where sustained performance is critical, the Intel Core i5-4690T's R23 multi-core advantage makes it the better pick. Both processors are statistically tied in overall average score, so the decision hinges on which specific benchmark aligns with your primary workload.