How do the scores compare?

Intel Core i5-4690K scores 23.7/100 overall; Intel Core i7-5960X scores 32.3/100. Intel Core i5-4690K wins 6 individual spec rows, Intel Core i7-5960X wins 11.

What are the main differences between the Intel Core i5-4690K and the Intel Core i7-5960X?

Intel Core i5-4690K advantages: Stronger single-core score: 24 vs 21; 37% lower Base TDP: 88 W vs 140 W; 17% higher Base clock: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz; 17% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,020 vs 870; 13% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,160 vs 1,030; Lower launch price: $242 vs $999. Intel Core i7-5960X advantages: Stronger multi-core score: 34 vs 23; 300% higher threads: 16 vs 4; 233% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 6 MB; 159% higher PassMark: 15,800 vs 6,100; 150% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 16.

Which is cheaper: Intel Core i5-4690K or Intel Core i7-5960X?

Intel Core i5-4690K launched cheaper at $242, versus $999 for the Intel Core i7-5960X.

Intel Core i5-4690K vs Intel Core i7-5960X

Intel

Intel Core i5-4690K

$242

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i7-5960X

$999

24.4Single-core20.5

23.3Multi-core34.1

23.8Gamingspec-based43.4

6 spec wins — Intel Core i5-4690K11 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i7-5960X wins this desktop processor face-off, 32.3 to 23.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+11). Intel Core i5-4690K still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-4690K

Stronger single-core score: 24 vs 21
37% lower Base TDP: 88 W vs 140 W
17% higher Base clock: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz
17% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,020 vs 870
13% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,160 vs 1,030
Lower launch price: $242 vs $999

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X

Stronger multi-core score: 34 vs 23
300% higher threads: 16 vs 4
233% higher L3 cache: 20 MB vs 6 MB
159% higher PassMark: 15,800 vs 6,100
150% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 16

General

General comparison: Intel Core i5-4690K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i5-4690K	Intel Core i7-5960X
Announced	2014	2014
Socket	LGA1150	LGA2011-v3
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Base TDP	88 W+37%	140 W
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: Intel Core i5-4690K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i5-4690K	Intel Core i7-5960X
Cores	4	8+100%
Performance cores	4	8+100%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	4	16+300%
Base clock	3.5 GHz+17%	3 GHz
Boost clock	3.9 GHz+11%	3.5 GHz
L2 cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%
L3 cache	6 MB	20 MB+233%

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: Intel Core i5-4690K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i5-4690K	Intel Core i7-5960X
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 4600	—
iGPU clock	1,200 MHz	—

Memory

Memory comparison: Intel Core i5-4690K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i5-4690K	Intel Core i7-5960X
Memory support	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2133
Max memory	32 GB	64 GB+100%
Memory channels	2	4+100%

Platform

Platform comparison: Intel Core i5-4690K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i5-4690K	Intel Core i7-5960X
PCIe version	3	3
CPU PCIe lanes	16	40+150%

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: Intel Core i5-4690K versus Intel Core i7-5960X
Spec	Intel Core i5-4690K	Intel Core i7-5960X
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,160+13%Bottom 12%	1,030Bottom 5%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	3,000Bottom 7%	6,100+103%Bottom 28%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,020+17%Bottom 12%	870Bottom 4%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	3,700Bottom 7%	8,300+124%Bottom 27%
PassMark	6,100Bottom 7%	15,800+159%Bottom 28%

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