Core i5-3470 vs Core i5-4690T

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-3470

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $8 less on MSRP ($184 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌71.1% higher power demand at 77W vs 45W.

Core i5-4690T

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 77W, a 32W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,620 vs 4,663).
❌
4.3% HIGHER MSRP
$192 MSRPvs$184 MSRP

Core i5-3470

2012

Core i5-4690T

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $8 less on MSRP ($184 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 77W, a 32W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌71.1% higher power demand at 77W vs 45W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,620 vs 4,663).
❌
4.3% HIGHER MSRP
$192 MSRPvs$184 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3470 better than Core i5-4690T?

Yes. Core i5-3470 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-3470 is the better fit because it leads the single-thread side of the matchup with 2.9% higher max boost clock.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470 is the better fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-3470 is the smarter buy today. Core i5-3470 is $8 cheaper on MSRP at $184 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it gives you 0.9% higher PassMark. It is also 5.3% better value on MSRP (25.3 vs 24.1 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-4690T is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-3470 Benchmark Check

Core i5-4690T Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-3470	Core i5-4690T
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	108 FPS	107 FPS
ultra	84 FPS	85 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	115 FPS	114 FPS
high	91 FPS	88 FPS
ultra	70 FPS	70 FPS
4K
low	67 FPS	64 FPS
medium	56 FPS	57 FPS
high	44 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	34 FPS

Open Core i5-3470 Open Core i5-4690T

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-3470	Core i5-4690T
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	103 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	116 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	87 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	105 FPS
medium	103 FPS	94 FPS
high	80 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	58 FPS	55 FPS

Open Core i5-3470 Open Core i5-4690T

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-3470	Core i5-4690T
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i5-3470 Open Core i5-4690T

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-3470	Core i5-4690T
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i5-3470 Open Core i5-4690T

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3470 and Core i5-4690T

Core i5-3470

The Core i5-3470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,663 points. Launch price was $184.

Core i5-4690T

The Core i5-4690T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,620 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3470 and Core i5-4690T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-4690T — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-3470 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-3470 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4690T uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470 scores 4,663 against the Core i5-4690T's 4,620 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-3470. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Core i5-4690T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+28%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	4,663	4,620

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4690T uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Core i5-4690T
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

The Core i5-3470 launched at $184 MSRP, while the Core i5-4690T debuted at $192. On MSRP ($184 vs $192), the Core i5-3470 is $8 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470 delivers 25.3 pts/$ vs 24.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-4690T — making the Core i5-3470 the 5.2% better value option.