Core i7-2600K vs Core i5-4690S
Core i7-2600K
Core i5-4690S
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-2600K is positioned at rank 860 and the Core i5-4690S is on rank 845, so the Core i5-4690S offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600K
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4690S
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2600K | Core i5-4690S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($109) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2600K | Core i5-4690S |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+74%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($109) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2600K and Core i5-4690S
Core i7-2600K
The Core i7-2600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,484 points. Launch price was $317.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2600K packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-4690S's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600K versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-4690S — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690S (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-2600K uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-4690S uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600K scores 5,484 against the Core i5-4690S's 5,476 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-2600K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2600K vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690S.
| Feature | Core i7-2600K | Core i5-4690S |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 3.9 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+6% | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 5,484 | 5,476 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 707 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2600K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4690S uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-2600K | Core i5-4690S |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core i7-2600K) / not specified (Core i5-4690S). The Core i7-2600K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i5-4690S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600K rivals FX-8150.
| Feature | Core i7-2600K | Core i5-4690S |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Gaming Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2600K launched at $317 MSRP, while the Core i5-4690S debuted at $306. At current prices ($109 vs $189), the Core i7-2600K is $80 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2600K delivers 50.3 pts/$ vs 29.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-4690S — making the Core i7-2600K the 53.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-2600K | Core i5-4690S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $317 | $306-3% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $109-42% | $189 |
| Performance per Dollar | 50.3+73% | 29.0 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2014 |
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