Quick Verdict
The fastest 'S' series Haswell i5 at launch, offering excellent single-core performance with 65W efficiency.
Overview
Launch
2013
Status
DiscontinuedGeneration
Core i5 (Haswell)
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i5-4670S, launched in June 2013, is a quad-core desktop processor designed for users who need strong performance within a constrained thermal envelope. As part of the Haswell generation, it features a 65-watt TDP, making it significantly more power-efficient than the standard 84-watt i5-4670. Operating at a base frequency of 3.1 GHz and turbo boosting up to 3.8 GHz, it delivers snappy single-threaded performance suitable for gaming and demanding applications. Built on a 22nm process, it houses 1.4 billion transistors and 6MB of L3 cache. The inclusion of Intel HD 4600 graphics ensures smooth 4K video playback and basic gaming capabilities. This processor was highly sought after for small form factor builds and home theater PCs where heat and noise reduction were priorities. It remains a capable chip for legacy systems and budget gaming setups.
The Intel Core i5-4670S balances power and efficiency with a 3.1 GHz base and 3.8 GHz turbo.
It was the top 'S' series Haswell chip at launch, ideal for SFF PCs needing strong single-core speed.
Specifications
Performance
Fast single-core speeds keep legacy apps feeling snappy.
Limited to light VMs due to 4 threads.
Good for older games; will bottleneck modern GPUs in CPU-heavy titles.
Outstanding efficiency, hitting 3.8 GHz on just 65W.
- •Pairs well with GTX 1050 Ti or RX 570
- •Can handle CS:GO and Dota 2 easily
- •Will struggle with modern CPU-bound games like Cyberpunk 2077
- •No dedicated AI hardware
- •Slow for modern AI workloads
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Haswell
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
At its core, the i5-4670S utilizes the Haswell microarchitecture, Intel's 4th generation Core design. Manufactured on the 22nm FinFET process, Haswell introduced the Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator (FIVR), which streamlined power delivery to the core and integrated graphics. The architecture improved IPC (Instructions Per Clock) over Ivy Bridge and added support for AVX2 and FMA3 instructions, boosting performance in vector-intensive workloads. The four cores share a 6MB L3 cache, minimizing memory latency. The dual-channel memory controller supports DDR3 up to 1600 MT/s. Its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics feature 20 execution units and support for DirectX 11.1. The processor provides 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes for dedicated graphics cards. The 'S' variant achieves its 65W TDP through lower base clocks, but retains aggressive turbo boost bins, allowing it to reach 3.8 GHz when thermals permit.
CPU Design
4 physical cores, 4 threads, no Hyper-Threading.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3 up to 1600 MT/s.
PCIe & I/O
16 lanes of PCIe 3.0.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- Better IPC
- Improved integrated graphics
- FIVR for cleaner power delivery
Key Highlights
- High 3.8 GHz turbo boost for single-core tasks
- Low 65W TDP
- Good for retro and e-sports gaming
- Supports vPro and TXT
- Reliable Haswell architecture
- Obsolete DDR3 platform
- Locked multiplier
- No Windows 11 support
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Limited to 4 threads
History
Introduced in June 2013, the Core i5-4670S targeted the sweet spot between performance and efficiency. It launched as the highest-clocked 'S' series quad-core in the initial Haswell lineup. During a time when AMD's Piledriver architecture struggled to compete in single-core performance, the 4670S stood out for its IPC and power efficiency.
It became a favorite among builders of compact gaming rigs and HTPCs, often paired with low-profile graphics cards. The chip represented Intel's push to offer more granular product segmentation, catering to users who wanted near-stock performance without the heat output of standard chips. Over the years, it maintained relevance in the used market as an affordable quad-core upgrade for LGA 1150 systems.
Its legacy is defined by its excellent balance of clock speed and thermal management for its era.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Better IPC
- Improved integrated graphics
- FIVR for cleaner power delivery
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Drop-in upgrade for older LGA 1150 systems.
Avoid if…
- Building a new system
- Needing modern gaming performance
- Requiring DDR4/DDR5 memory
- Wanting official Windows 11 support
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-4670S can turbo boost to 3.8 GHz, the same as the standard 84W i5-4670.
It was the fastest 'S' series quad-core at its launch.
The chip uses the Haswell architecture with a 22nm process.
It features the Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator (FIVR).
The processor includes 1.4 billion transistors.
Its die size is 177 mm².
It supports Intel vPro and TXT for enterprise environments.
The max Tcase temperature is 72°C.
It supports AVX2 and FMA3 instruction sets.
The package type is FC-LGA12C.
People Also Ask
Is the i5-4670S good for gaming?
It handles older and e-sports games well with a dedicated GPU.
What is the difference between i5-4670 and i5-4670S?
The 4670S has a lower base clock and 65W TDP, while the 4670 has an 84W TDP.
Can it run Windows 11?
Not officially, though bypass methods exist.
What is the max RAM speed?
It natively supports DDR3-1600.
Is the i5-4670S unlocked?
No, it is a locked processor.
Does it come with a cooler?
Yes, it includes a stock Intel cooler.
Can I do video editing on it?
It can handle basic 1080p editing but will struggle with 4K.
Does it support NVMe SSDs?
Booting from NVMe is not natively supported on most compatible motherboards.
What is the base clock speed?
The base clock is 3.1 GHz.
Is it good for a home server?
Yes, its 65W TDP makes it great for an always-on server.
Frequently Asked Questions
What socket does the i5-4670S use?
It uses the LGA 1150 socket.
Can I overclock the i5-4670S?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What is the turbo boost frequency?
It can boost up to 3.8 GHz.
What is the TDP of the i5-4670S?
It has a 65-watt TDP.
Does it have hyper-threading?
No, it has 4 cores and 4 threads.
What integrated graphics does it feature?
It includes Intel HD 4600 graphics.
How much cache does it have?
It has 6 MB of L3 cache.
When was the i5-4670S released?
It was released in June 2013.
What memory does it support?
It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory.
Does it support PCIe 3.0?
Yes, it provides 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0.