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.

Core i5-4590 vs Core i5-6400 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-4590 vs Core i5-6400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-4590

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,376 vs 5,417).
❌
5.5% HIGHER MSRP
$192 MSRPvs$182 MSRP
❌29.2% higher power demand at 84W vs 65W.

Core i5-6400

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 84W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4590 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6400 better than Core i5-4590?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4590 is ahead with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6400 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-6400 comes in $10 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-4590 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6.3% better value on MSRP (29.8 vs 28.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-6400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4590 vs Core i5-6400 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-4590

The Core i5-4590 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,376 points. Launch price was $202.

Core i5-6400

The Core i5-6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $187.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4590 and Core i5-6400 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-4590 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-4590 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-4590 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6400 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4590 scores 5,376 against the Core i5-6400's 5,417 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-6400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 950, a 14.6% lead for the Core i5-4590 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-4590	Core i5-6400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+12%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+22%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	5,376	5,417
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100+16%	950
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,200

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4590 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-4590 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6400 — the Core i5-6400 supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6400 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4590) and H110,B150,H170,Z170 (Core i5-6400).

Feature	Core i5-4590	Core i5-6400
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4590) and Intel HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4590 targets Desktop, Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4590 rivals FX-8350.

Feature	Core i5-4590	Core i5-6400
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	Intel HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Mainstream Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4590 was priced at $192, while the Core i5-6400 came in at $182. On launch pricing ($192 vs $182), Core i5-6400 was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4590 delivers 28.0 pts/$ vs 29.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-6400 — making the Core i5-6400 the 6.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4590	Core i5-6400
MSRP	$192	$182-5%
Performance per Dollar	28.0	29.8+6%
Release Date	2014	2015

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