Core i5-4690S vs Xeon W-2104

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 Xeon W-2104 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 Xeon W-2104: 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: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 120W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,476 vs 5,530).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8.3 MB).
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4.1% HIGHER MSRP
$306 MSRPvs$294 MSRP

Xeon W-2104

2017

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+37.5% larger total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $12 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $306 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4690S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌84.6% higher power demand at 120W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-2104 better than Core i5-4690S?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-2104 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4690S is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon W-2104 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 37.5% larger total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon W-2104 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-2104 comes in $12 cheaper on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $306 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-4690S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 5.1% better value on MSRP (18.8 vs 17.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon W-2104 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014), 37.5% larger total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 6 MB), 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 Xeon W-2104 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.

Xeon W-2104

The Xeon W-2104 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 5,530 points. Launch price was $255.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4690S and Xeon W-2104 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690S versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon W-2104 — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-4690S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W-2104 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690S scores 5,476 against the Xeon W-2104's 5,530 — a 1% lead for the Xeon W-2104. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690S vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2104.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Xeon W-2104
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+22%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8.25 MB (total)+38%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB (per core)+300%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	5,476	5,530

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2104 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Xeon W-2104
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2066
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 Xeon W-2104 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($306 vs $294), Xeon W-2104 was $12 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690S delivers 17.9 pts/$ vs 18.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2104 — making the Xeon W-2104 the 5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4690S	Xeon W-2104
MSRP	$306	$294-4%
Performance per Dollar	17.9	18.8+5%
Release Date	2014	2017

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