Core i5-4690S vs Core i5-7400

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 i5-4690S vs Core i5-7400 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 i5-4690S vs Core i5-7400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4690S

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,476 vs 5,477).
❌
4.1% HIGHER MSRP
$306 MSRPvs$294 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7400.

Core i5-7400

2017

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $12 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Core i5-4690S needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-4690S.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4690S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7400 better than Core i5-4690S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4690S is ahead with a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7400 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7400 is the better buy right now. Core i5-7400 comes in $12 cheaper on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $306 MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-4690S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 4.1% better value on MSRP (18.6 vs 17.9 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4690S vs Core i5-7400 Technical Specifications

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

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 i5-7400

The Core i5-7400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,477 points. Launch price was $182.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4690S and Core i5-7400 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690S versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7400 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-4690S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-7400 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690S scores 5,476 against the Core i5-7400's 5,477 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-7400. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-7400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+11%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+7%	3 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)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	5,476	5,477
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,359
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,215
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,517

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7400 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-7400
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-4690S) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7400). The Core i5-7400 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-4690S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7400 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-7400 rivals Ryzen 3 3300X.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-7400
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4690S was priced at $306, while the Core i5-7400 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($306 vs $294), Core i5-7400 was $12 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690S delivers 17.9 pts/$ vs 18.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-7400 — making the Core i5-7400 the 4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-7400
MSRP	$306	$294-4%
Performance per Dollar	17.9	18.6+4%
Release Date	2014	2017

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