Core i5-4690S vs Core i5-7440HQ

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 i5-7440HQ 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 i5-7440HQ: 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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,476 vs 5,490).
❌Launch MSRP is still $306 MSRP, while Core i5-7440HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7440HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-7440HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.
✅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.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7440HQ better than Core i5-4690S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4690S is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7440HQ pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7440HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7440HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7440HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $306 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. Core i5-4690S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (17.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Core i5-7440HQ 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 i5-7440HQ 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 i5-7440HQ

The Core i5-7440HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,490 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4690S and Core i5-7440HQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690S versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7440HQ — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-4690S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-7440HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690S scores 5,476 against the Core i5-7440HQ's 5,490 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-7440HQ. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-7440HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 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-H (2017)
PassMark	5,476	5,490
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,277

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7440HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i5-7440HQ
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1440
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 i5-7440HQ). The Core i5-7440HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-4690S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7440HQ targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7440HQ rivals Ryzen 5 2500U.