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 i5-4690S

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.9 vs 29.8 PassMark/$ ($306 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-6400.

Core i5-6400

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $124 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).
✅Delivers 66.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.8 vs 17.9 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while Core i5-4690S needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i5-4690S.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4690S across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,417 vs 5,476).

Core i5-4690S

2014

Core i5-6400

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Why buy it

✅Costs $124 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).
✅Delivers 66.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.8 vs 17.9 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 530, while Core i5-4690S needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i5-4690S.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.9 vs 29.8 PassMark/$ ($306 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-6400.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4690S across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,417 vs 5,476).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4690S better than Core i5-6400?

Yes. Core i5-4690S is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 3.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4690S is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 3.9% 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 i5-4690S is the better fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4690S is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i5-4690S is 68.1% more expensive on MSRP at $306 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 66.3% better value on paper (29.8 vs 17.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-6400 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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 i5-4690S Benchmark Check

Core i5-6400 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-6400
1080p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	111 FPS	110 FPS
ultra	88 FPS	87 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	92 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	73 FPS	72 FPS
4K
low	65 FPS	65 FPS
medium	57 FPS	58 FPS
high	45 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i5-4690S Open Core i5-6400

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-6400
1080p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	104 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	136 FPS	123 FPS
high	125 FPS	115 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	92 FPS
4K
low	123 FPS	111 FPS
medium	110 FPS	100 FPS
high	92 FPS	79 FPS
ultra	70 FPS	58 FPS

Open Core i5-4690S Open Core i5-6400

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-6400
1080p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS
4K
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS

Open Core i5-4690S Open Core i5-6400

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-6400
1080p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS
1440p
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS
4K
low	137 FPS	135 FPS
medium	137 FPS	135 FPS
high	137 FPS	135 FPS
ultra	137 FPS	135 FPS

Open Core i5-4690S Open Core i5-6400

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4690S and Core i5-6400

Core i5-4690S

The Core i5-4690S 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 3.2 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,476 points. Launch price was $224.

Core i5-6400

The Core i5-6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $187.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4690S and Core i5-6400 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690S versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-6400 — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-4690S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6400 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690S scores 5,476 against the Core i5-6400's 5,417 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-4690S. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-6400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+18%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+19%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	5,476+1%	5,417
Geekbench 6 Single	—	950
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,200

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-6400
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-4690S) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6400). The Core i5-6400 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 530), while the Core i5-4690S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6400 targets Mainstream Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-6400
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Mainstream Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-4690S launched at $306 MSRP, while the Core i5-6400 debuted at $182. On MSRP ($306 vs $182), the Core i5-6400 is $124 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690S delivers 17.9 pts/$ vs 29.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-6400 — making the Core i5-6400 the 49.8% better value option.