Core i5-4690S vs Core i7-4860EQ

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 i7-4860EQ 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 i7-4860EQ: 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

✅Costs $128 less on MSRP ($306 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).
✅Delivers 41.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.9 vs 12.7 PassMark/$ ($306 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,476 vs 5,508).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.

Core i7-4860EQ

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.7 vs 17.9 PassMark/$ ($434 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4860EQ better than Core i5-4690S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4690S is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4860EQ pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-4860EQ 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 i7-4860EQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-4860EQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4860EQ comes in 41.8% more expensive on MSRP at $434 MSRP versus $306 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. Core i5-4690S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 41.0% better value on paper (17.9 vs 12.7 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4860EQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 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 i7-4860EQ 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 i7-4860EQ

The Core i7-4860EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,508 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4690S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4860EQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690S versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-4860EQ — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-4690S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4860EQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690S scores 5,476 against the Core i7-4860EQ's 5,508 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-4860EQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690S vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4860EQ.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i7-4860EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+22%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+78%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,476	5,508

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4860EQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i7-4860EQ
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4690S was priced at $306, while the Core i7-4860EQ came in at $434. On launch pricing ($306 vs $434), Core i5-4690S was $128 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690S delivers 17.9 pts/$ vs 12.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-4860EQ — making the Core i5-4690S the 34% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Core i7-4860EQ
MSRP	$306-29%	$434
Performance per Dollar	17.9+41%	12.7
Release Date	2014	2014

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