Core i5-4690K vs Core i7-3615QE

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 i5-4690K vs Core i7-3615QE 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 i5-4690K vs Core i7-3615QE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4690K

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $157 less on MSRP ($243 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Delivers 66.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.4 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($243 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i7-3615QE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3615QE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌95.6% higher power demand at 88W vs 45W.

Core i7-3615QE

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 88W, a 43W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,617 vs 5,689).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 23.4 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $243 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4690K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4690K better than Core i7-3615QE?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3615QE is ahead with a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4690K pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4690K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4690K is the better buy right now. Core i5-4690K comes in $157 cheaper on MSRP at $243 MSRP versus $400 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3615QE is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 66.7% better value on MSRP (23.4 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4690K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) 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 i5-4690K vs Core i7-3615QE Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4690K

The Core i5-4690K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 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): 88 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,689 points. Launch price was $300.

Core i7-3615QE

The Core i7-3615QE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,617 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4690K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3615QE's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690K versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-3615QE — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-4690K uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-3615QE uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690K scores 5,689 against the Core i7-3615QE's 5,617 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-4690K. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690K vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3615QE.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Core i7-3615QE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+18%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+52%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	5,689+1%	5,617

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690K uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3615QE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Core i7-3615QE
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1023
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 (Core i5-4690K) / not specified (Core i7-3615QE). The Core i5-4690K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-3615QE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4690K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Core i7-3615QE
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4690K was priced at $243, while the Core i7-3615QE came in at $400. On launch pricing ($243 vs $400), Core i5-4690K was $157 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690K delivers 23.4 pts/$ vs 14.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-3615QE — making the Core i5-4690K the 50% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4690K	Core i7-3615QE
MSRP	$243-39%	$400
Performance per Dollar	23.4+67%	14.0
Release Date	2014	2012

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