Core i5-4590 vs Core i5-6402P

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 i5-6402P 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 i5-6402P: 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: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i5-6402P needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-6402P.

Trade-offs

❌
5.5% HIGHER MSRP
$192 MSRPvs$182 MSRP
❌29.2% higher power demand at 84W vs 65W.

Core i5-6402P

2015

Why buy it

✅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.
❌Lower PassMark (5,343 vs 5,376).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4590 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4590.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4590 better than Core i5-6402P?

Yes. Core i5-4590 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4590 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4590 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4590 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4590 comes in 5.5% more expensive on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6402P only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 4.8% better value on paper (29.4 vs 28.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-6402P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4590 vs Core i5-6402P 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 i5-6402P

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.

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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)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	5,376	5,343
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—

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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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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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

At launch, the Core i5-4590 was priced at $192, while the Core i5-6402P came in at $182. On launch pricing ($192 vs $182), Core i5-6402P was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4590 delivers 28.0 pts/$ vs 29.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-6402P — making the Core i5-6402P the 4.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4590	Core i5-6402P
MSRP	$192	$182-5%
Performance per Dollar	28.0	29.4+5%
Release Date	2014	2015

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