CPU
GPU
Core i5-4590
Core i5-6402P
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-4590 is positioned at rank 624 and the Core i5-6402P is on rank 604, so the Core i5-6402P offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4590
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6402P
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-4590 | Core i5-6402P |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($51) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($120) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-4590 | Core i5-6402P |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+137%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($51) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($120) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4590 and Core i5-6402P
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 i5-6402P
The Core i5-6402P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,343 points. Launch price was $187.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-4590 and Core i5-6402P share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-4590 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-6402P — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-4590 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-4590 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6402P uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4590 scores 5,376 against the Core i5-6402P's 5,343 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-4590. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4590 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6402P.
| Feature | Core i5-4590 | Core i5-6402P |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+9% | 3.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+18% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 5,376 | 5,343 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,100 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-4590 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6402P uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-4590 | Core i5-6402P |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4590) / not specified (Core i5-6402P). The Core i5-4590 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i5-6402P requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4590 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4590 rivals FX-8350.
| Feature | Core i5-4590 | Core i5-6402P |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4600 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-4590 launched at $192 MSRP, while the Core i5-6402P debuted at $182. At current prices ($51 vs $120), the Core i5-4590 is $69 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4590 delivers 105.4 pts/$ vs 44.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-6402P — making the Core i5-4590 the 81.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-4590 | Core i5-6402P |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192 | $182-5% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $51-57% | $120 |
| Performance per Dollar | 105.4+137% | 44.5 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2015 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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