Core i5-4690S vs FX-8320

Core i5-4690S vs FX-8320 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4690S

4 / 4

5,476

+0.1%

5,472

0.0%

Athlon X4 830

Athlon X4 880K

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

FX-8140

Ryzen 7 5700

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

About PassMark

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 FX-8320 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 FX-8320: 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

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8320 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.9 vs 32.4 PassMark/$ ($306 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8320.

FX-8320

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $137 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).
✅Delivers 80.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.4 vs 17.9 PassMark/$ ($169 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-4690S.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,472 vs 5,476).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4690S better than FX-8320?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8320 is ahead with a 18.3% 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 0.1% better PassMark.

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 0.1% 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 still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-4690S comes in 81.1% more expensive on MSRP at $306 MSRP versus $169 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. FX-8320 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 80.9% better value on paper (32.4 vs 17.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4690S vs FX-8320 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.

FX-8320

The FX-8320 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,472 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-4690S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8320 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8320 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690S versus 4 GHz on the FX-8320 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the FX-8320 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-4690S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-8320 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690S scores 5,476 against the FX-8320's 5,472 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-4690S.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	FX-8320
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	5,476	5,472
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	458
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,791

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8320 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	FX-8320
Socket	LGA1150	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-4690S) / AMD-V (FX-8320). Primary use case: FX-8320 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: FX-8320 rivals Core i5-3570.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	FX-8320
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Productivity

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4690S was priced at $306, while the FX-8320 came in at $169. On launch pricing ($306 vs $169), FX-8320 was $137 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690S delivers 17.9 pts/$ vs 32.4 pts/$ for the FX-8320 — making the FX-8320 the 57.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	FX-8320
MSRP	$306	$169-45%
Performance per Dollar	17.9	32.4+81%
Release Date	2014	2012

Search Core i5-4690S on Amazon

Search FX-8320 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.