Core i5-4690T vs Xeon L5640

Intel

Core i5-4690T

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2014

Popular choices:

VS
Intel

Xeon L5640

6 Cores12 Thrd60 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010

Popular choices:

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-4690T

2014

Why buy it

  • Costs $804 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $996 MSRP).
  • Delivers 414.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.1 vs 4.7 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $996 MSRP).
  • Draws 45W instead of 60W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon L5640 across 44 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (4,620 vs 4,659).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon L5640, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon L5640

2010

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +13.8% higher average FPS across 44 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.7 vs 24.1 PassMark/$ ($996 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
  • 33.3% higher power demand at 60W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon L5640 better than Core i5-4690T?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon L5640 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4690T is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon L5640 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 13.8% more average FPS across 44 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon L5640 is the better fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon L5640 is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Xeon L5640 is 418.8% more expensive on MSRP at $996 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it gives you a 13.8% average FPS lead across 44 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-4690T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 414.4% better value on paper (24.1 vs 4.7 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-4690T is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i5-4690TXeon L5640
1080p
low116 FPS116 FPS
medium116 FPS116 FPS
high107 FPS105 FPS
ultra85 FPS87 FPS
1440p
low116 FPS116 FPS
medium114 FPS111 FPS
high88 FPS86 FPS
ultra70 FPS70 FPS
4K
low64 FPS61 FPS
medium57 FPS55 FPS
high44 FPS43 FPS
ultra34 FPS34 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i5-4690TXeon L5640
1080p
low116 FPS116 FPS
medium116 FPS116 FPS
high116 FPS116 FPS
ultra98 FPS116 FPS
1440p
low116 FPS116 FPS
medium116 FPS116 FPS
high108 FPS116 FPS
ultra87 FPS107 FPS
4K
low105 FPS116 FPS
medium94 FPS116 FPS
high74 FPS104 FPS
ultra55 FPS74 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i5-4690TXeon L5640
1080p
low116 FPS116 FPS
medium116 FPS116 FPS
high116 FPS116 FPS
ultra116 FPS116 FPS
1440p
low116 FPS116 FPS
medium116 FPS116 FPS
high116 FPS116 FPS
ultra116 FPS116 FPS
4K
low116 FPS116 FPS
medium116 FPS116 FPS
high116 FPS116 FPS
ultra116 FPS116 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i5-4690TXeon L5640
1080p
low116 FPS116 FPS
medium116 FPS116 FPS
high116 FPS116 FPS
ultra116 FPS116 FPS
1440p
low116 FPS116 FPS
medium116 FPS116 FPS
high116 FPS116 FPS
ultra116 FPS116 FPS
4K
low116 FPS116 FPS
medium116 FPS116 FPS
high116 FPS116 FPS
ultra116 FPS116 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4690T and Xeon L5640

Intel

Core i5-4690T

The Core i5-4690T 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,620 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Xeon L5640

The Xeon L5640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,659 points. Launch price was $200.

Processing Power

The Core i5-4690T packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon L5640 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon L5640 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-4690T versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon L5640 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-4690T (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Core i5-4690T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon L5640 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4690T scores 4,620 against the Xeon L5640's 4,659 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon L5640. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4690T vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon L5640.

FeatureCore i5-4690TXeon L5640
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz+25%
2.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+11%
2.26 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)
12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark
4,620
4,659
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4690T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon L5640 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i5-4690TXeon L5640
Socket
LGA1150
LGA1366
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3 1333 MHz
Max RAM Capacity
288 GB
RAM Channels
3
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-4690T) / true (Xeon L5640). Primary use case: Xeon L5640 targets Server Low Power.

FeatureCore i5-4690TXeon L5640
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
Target Use
Server Low Power
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-4690T launched at $192 MSRP, while the Xeon L5640 debuted at $996. On MSRP ($192 vs $996), the Core i5-4690T is $804 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4690T delivers 24.1 pts/$ vs 4.7 pts/$ for the Xeon L5640 — making the Core i5-4690T the 134.9% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-4690TXeon L5640
MSRP
$192-81%
$996
Performance per Dollar
24.1+413%
4.7
Release Date
2014
2010