Core i5-4690 vs Core i7-4700HQ

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 i5-4690 vs Core i7-4700HQ 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 i5-4690 vs Core i7-4700HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4690

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4700HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $272 MSRP, while Core i7-4700HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌78.7% higher power demand at 84W vs 47W.

Core i7-4700HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 47W instead of 84W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,579 vs 5,584).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4690 better than Core i7-4700HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4700HQ is ahead with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4690 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i7-4700HQ also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4690 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4690 is the better buy right now. Core i5-4690 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $272 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4700HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4690 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4690 vs Core i7-4700HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4690

The Core i5-4690 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,584 points. Launch price was $346.

Core i7-4700HQ

The Core i7-4700HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 May 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,579 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4690 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4700HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-4700HQ — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-4690 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4700HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690 scores 5,584 against the Core i7-4700HQ's 5,579 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-4690. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4700HQ.

Feature	Core i5-4690	Core i7-4700HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+15%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+46%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,584	5,579

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4700HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.