Core i5-4690S vs Core i7-4700EQ

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 i7-4700EQ 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 i7-4700EQ: 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

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $72 less on MSRP ($306 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.9 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($306 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4700EQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4700EQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-4700EQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i5-4690S needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,417 vs 5,476).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 17.9 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4690S better than Core i7-4700EQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4700EQ is ahead with a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4690S pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i7-4700EQ also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4690S is the stronger 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 better buy right now. Core i5-4690S comes in $72 cheaper on MSRP at $306 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4700EQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 24.9% better value on MSRP (17.9 vs 14.3 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4690S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) 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 i5-4690S vs Core i7-4700EQ 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 i7-4700EQ

The Core i7-4700EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 May 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,417 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4690S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4700EQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690S versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-4700EQ — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-4690S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4700EQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690S scores 5,476 against the Core i7-4700EQ's 5,417 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-4690S. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690S vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-4700EQ.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i7-4700EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+15%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+33%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,476+1%	5,417

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4700EQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i7-4700EQ
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-4690S) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4700EQ). The Core i7-4700EQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i5-4690S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4700EQ targets Mobile.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i7-4700EQ
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Mobile

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4690S was priced at $306, while the Core i7-4700EQ came in at $378. On launch pricing ($306 vs $378), Core i5-4690S was $72 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690S delivers 17.9 pts/$ vs 14.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-4700EQ — making the Core i5-4690S the 22.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i7-4700EQ
MSRP	$306-19%	$378
Performance per Dollar	17.9+25%	14.3
Release Date	2014	2013

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