Intel Core i5-4690T

The Intel Core i5-4690T is a 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor built on the Haswell architecture, manufactured on Intel's 22nm process with 1,400 million transistors in a 177 mm² die. It runs at a 2.50 GHz base clock with a 3.50 GHz boost, carries 6 MB of shared L3 cache, and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory at 25.6 GB/s. Its average benchmark score of 1134 places it at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, a modest standing that reflects its 2014 release and thermally constrained design. The chip integrates Intel HD 4600 graphics, uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, and fits the Intel Socket 1150 platform.

Who Should Consider It

The i5-4690T is best suited for users whose workloads are light and latency-tolerant. With a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 3920 and a single-core score of 553, it handles everyday desktop tasks — web browsing, document editing, email, spreadsheet work — without difficulty. The 4-core/4-thread configuration with a 3.50 GHz boost clock is sufficient for such duties, and the 45W TDP makes it easy to cool quietly.

For gaming, the picture is more limited. The single-core R23 score of 553 is modest by current standards, and many modern game engines depend heavily on single-thread performance. The integrated HD 4600 GPU is present but not a gaming solution; a discrete graphics card would be required, and even then, the CPU's single-thread ceiling will constrain frame rates in CPU-bound titles. Older or less demanding games, such as esports titles, may run acceptably when paired with a mid-range discrete GPU.

For content creation, the i5-4690T is not a strong choice. The R23 multicore score of 3920 indicates that long render times will be the norm for video encoding, 3D rendering, or large photo batches. The 4-thread limit means that heavily threaded applications cannot scale beyond four threads, and the 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth further limits data-intensive workloads. It can handle occasional light photo editing or audio processing, but sustained creation workloads will feel sluggish.

Office and productivity users, however, will find it adequate. The dual-channel DDR3 memory at 25.6 GB/s is enough for typical office applications, and the 4 cores handle multitasking between a browser, email client, and office suite without strain. The 32nd percentile ranking is low overall, but for basic tasks the gap is not noticeable. Users on a tight thermal budget — such as small form-factor builds or fanless designs — will appreciate the 45W TDP.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Cinebench results reveal a clear split. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 553 while the multicore score is 3920. In R20, single-core is 232 and multicore is 1646. In R15, the scores are 55 and 395. The multicore scores are consistently much higher than the single-core scores, indicating that the chip scales well when all four cores are engaged, but the absolute single-thread performance is the limiting factor.

The single-core scores — 55 in R15, 232 in R20, 553 in R23 — are low. These numbers place the i5-4690T well below modern processors in single-threaded tasks. For workloads that cannot use multiple cores — such as many legacy applications, some scripting languages, and certain game physics engines — the chip will feel dated. The 2.50 GHz base clock is the culprit; the 3.50 GHz boost helps, but only when a single core can boost while others are idle.

Multi-threaded behavior is more favorable. The multicore scores of 395 (R15), 1646 (R20), and 3920 (R23) show that the four Haswell cores can deliver respectable throughput when the workload is parallelized. However, the lack of Hyper-Threading means only four threads are processed simultaneously; the chip cannot double its thread count like many contemporaries. For workloads that are heavily threaded but fit within four threads, the i5-4690T performs adequately; for anything beyond that, it falls short.

The practical takeaway is that the i5-4690T is a single-thread-limited processor. Users who run mostly single-threaded applications will see performance closer to the low single-core scores, while users who can parallelize their work across four cores will see the higher multicore numbers. The 32nd percentile ranking reflects this mixed profile — it is neither a strong single-thread nor a strong multi-thread performer by modern standards.

Power and Thermals

The 45W TDP is the defining characteristic of the i5-4690T. This is a low-power variant of the Haswell quad-core line, designed for thermally constrained environments. The 22nm process node, with 1,400 million transistors in a 177 mm² die, achieves this efficiency through a combination of lower clock speeds and reduced voltage. The base clock of 2.50 GHz is notably lower than non-T variants, which helps keep power consumption within the 45W envelope.

A 45W TDP means that a modest cooling solution suffices. A small air cooler or a low-profile cooler is adequate for most use cases; the chip does not require a large tower cooler or liquid cooling. The boost clock of 3.50 GHz is available for short bursts, but sustained all-core loads will likely be power-limited rather than thermally limited. Users building a quiet PC will find the i5-4690T easy to cool, and the 45W rating allows for small power supplies and compact cases.

The memory subsystem draws attention as well. The dual-channel DDR3 interface provides 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth, which is modest by current standards. Memory-intensive workloads may be bottlenecked by this bandwidth, but for typical desktop tasks it is not a concern. The chip does not support ECC memory, which rules out certain reliability-focused server or workstation uses. The integrated HD 4600 GPU shares the memory bandwidth, so gaming with the iGPU would further strain the memory subsystem — though the iGPU is not a gaming part in any case.

How It Compares

The i5-4690T sits in a remarkably tight cluster of rivals. All four nearest competitors have average scores between 1131 and 1135, and the 4690T's average of 1134 places it within 0.3% of each. These differences are effectively negligible — well within run-to-run variance for any benchmark.

Intel Xeon E5640: The Xeon E5640 has an average score of 1135, which is 0.1% higher than the i5-4690T. The two processors are statistically indistinguishable in aggregate performance. Users comparing the two would see no meaningful difference in overall throughput.

AMD Athlon 300U: The Athlon 300U averages 1133, putting the i5-4690T 0.1% ahead. The delta of 0.1% is within noise, so the two are effectively equal in aggregate performance.

Intel Core i5-2400: The i5-2400 averages 1132. The 4690T is 0.1% ahead. This is a close matchup; the 4690T's performance is essentially tied with this rival.

Intel Core i7-2720QM: The i7-2720QM averages 1131. The 4690T leads by 0.3%. This is the largest delta in the group, but still small. The 4690T's 0.3% advantage is minor and unlikely to be perceptible.

Benchmark Performance

The Cinebench scores provide a detailed view of the i5-4690T's performance. In Cinebench R15, the multicore score is 395 and the single-core score is 55. In R20, the multicore score rises to 1646 and single-core to 232. In R23, multicore reaches 3920 and single-core 553. Across all three versions, the multicore scores are consistently much higher than the single-core scores, indicating that the four cores scale effectively when all are utilized.

The average benchmark score of 1134 places the i5-4690T at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs. This means it outperforms 32% of the processors in the database and is outperformed by the rest. The 32nd percentile is a low ranking, consistent with the chip's 2014 release date and its thermally constrained 45W design. For context, the nearest rivals all score within 0.3% of 1134, so the 4690T is not an outlier — it is simply part of a large group of mid-to-low performers.

Comparing the 4690T to its rivals using the average score, the deltas are minimal. Against the Xeon E5640 (1135), the 4690T is 0.1% slower. Against the Athlon 300U (1133), it is 0.1% faster. Against the i5-2400 (1132), it is 0.1% faster. Against the i7-2720QM (1131), it is 0.3% faster. None of these differences would be perceptible in real-world use. The 4690T's performance position is essentially a four-way tie at the 1131-1135 score level.

The single-core Cinebench scores are more revealing than the average. A single-core R23 score of 553 is modest, and workloads that depend on single-thread performance will be limited by it. The multicore score of 3920 is more respectable, but still in the lower tier. The 4-thread limit is the key constraint; with only four threads, the chip cannot compete with parts that offer more threads in heavily parallel workloads.

Overall, the benchmark data paints a clear picture: the i5-4690T is a low-power quad-core that delivers consistent but unremarkable performance. Its 45W TDP makes it an excellent choice for compact or quiet builds, but its 32nd percentile ranking and low single-core scores mean it is not suitable for demanding workloads. The nearest rivals confirm that the 4690T is exactly where it should be — in a tight cluster of similarly performing processors from the same era.