Core i5-4690 vs Core i7-4860EQ

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 i5-4690

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.3% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $162 less on MSRP ($272 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).
✅Delivers 61.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.5 vs 12.7 PassMark/$ ($272 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌78.7% higher power demand at 84W vs 47W.

Core i7-4860EQ

2014

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 47W instead of 84W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4690 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,508 vs 5,584).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.7 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($434 MSRP vs $272 MSRP).

Core i5-4690

2014

Core i7-4860EQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.3% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $162 less on MSRP ($272 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).
✅Delivers 61.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.5 vs 12.7 PassMark/$ ($272 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 47W instead of 84W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌78.7% higher power demand at 84W vs 47W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4690 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,508 vs 5,584).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.7 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($434 MSRP vs $272 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4690 better than Core i7-4860EQ?

Yes. Core i5-4690 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 14.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4690 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 14.3% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4690 is the better fit. You are getting 1.4% 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 smarter buy today. Core i5-4690 is $162 cheaper on MSRP at $272 MSRP versus $434 MSRP, and it gives you a 14.3% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 61.8% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 12.7 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4860EQ is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more overall headroom and a better platform outlook.

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 i5-4690 Benchmark Check

Core i7-4860EQ Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-4690	Core i7-4860EQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	138 FPS
medium	140 FPS	135 FPS
high	112 FPS	104 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	85 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	134 FPS
medium	119 FPS	113 FPS
high	93 FPS	86 FPS
ultra	74 FPS	70 FPS
4K
low	66 FPS	64 FPS
medium	58 FPS	58 FPS
high	45 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i5-4690 Open Core i7-4860EQ

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-4690	Core i7-4860EQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	99 FPS
medium	140 FPS	87 FPS
high	140 FPS	83 FPS
ultra	118 FPS	65 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	86 FPS
medium	137 FPS	75 FPS
high	126 FPS	71 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	59 FPS
4K
low	124 FPS	67 FPS
medium	111 FPS	61 FPS
high	92 FPS	49 FPS
ultra	70 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i5-4690 Open Core i7-4860EQ

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-4690	Core i7-4860EQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	138 FPS
medium	140 FPS	138 FPS
high	140 FPS	138 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	138 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	138 FPS
medium	140 FPS	138 FPS
high	140 FPS	138 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	138 FPS
4K
low	140 FPS	138 FPS
medium	140 FPS	138 FPS
high	140 FPS	138 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	138 FPS

Open Core i5-4690 Open Core i7-4860EQ

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-4690	Core i7-4860EQ
1080p
low	140 FPS	138 FPS
medium	140 FPS	138 FPS
high	140 FPS	138 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	138 FPS
1440p
low	140 FPS	138 FPS
medium	140 FPS	138 FPS
high	140 FPS	138 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	138 FPS
4K
low	140 FPS	138 FPS
medium	140 FPS	138 FPS
high	140 FPS	138 FPS
ultra	140 FPS	138 FPS

Open Core i5-4690 Open Core i7-4860EQ

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4690 and Core i7-4860EQ

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 i7-4860EQ

The Core i7-4860EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 5,508 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4690 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4860EQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-4860EQ — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-4690 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4860EQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690 scores 5,584 against the Core i7-4860EQ's 5,508 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-4690. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4860EQ.

Feature	Core i5-4690	Core i7-4860EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+22%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+94%	1.8 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+1%	5,508

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4860EQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690	Core i7-4860EQ
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

The Core i5-4690 launched at $272 MSRP, while the Core i7-4860EQ debuted at $434. On MSRP ($272 vs $434), the Core i5-4690 is $162 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690 delivers 20.5 pts/$ vs 12.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-4860EQ — making the Core i5-4690 the 47.2% better value option.