Quick Verdict
A solid Haswell Refresh chip that slightly improves clocks over the 4570S while maintaining 65W efficiency.
Overview
Launch
2014
Status
DiscontinuedGeneration
Core i5 (Haswell)
Market
Desktop
Released in May 2014, the Intel Core i5-4590S is a quad-core desktop processor belonging to the Haswell Refresh lineup. As an 'S' series chip, it boasts a 65-watt TDP, making it highly suitable for energy-conscious builds and compact systems. The processor runs at a base clock of 2.9 GHz and can turbo boost up to 3.6 GHz when thermal headroom allows. Built on the mature 22nm process node, it delivers reliable performance for everyday computing, office applications, and light content creation. It features 6MB of L3 cache to ensure smooth multitasking. The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics handle standard video playback and older games adequately. While it doesn't support Hyper-Threading, its four physical cores provide solid performance for budget gaming setups when paired with a dedicated GPU. Today, it represents a cost-effective drop-in upgrade for aging LGA 1150 systems.
The Intel Core i5-4590S features 4 cores, 4 threads, and boost clocks up to 3.6 GHz. Its 65W TDP makes it efficient, and it remains a capable chip for basic office tasks and retro gaming on older motherboards.
Specifications
Performance
Solid for everyday office apps and web browsing.
Limited to light VM usage.
Handles older games fine but bottlenecks modern mid-range GPUs.
Excellent power-to-performance ratio for its era.
- •Requires a dedicated GPU
- •Pairs well with GTX 1050 Ti or RX 570
- •Will struggle with modern CPU-bound titles
- •No AI acceleration
- •Unsuitable for modern AI tasks
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Haswell
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i5-4590S is based on Intel's Haswell microarchitecture, utilizing the 22nm FinFET manufacturing process. This architecture introduced the Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator (FIVR), moving voltage regulation from the motherboard onto the CPU package itself. This change improved power delivery precision and simplified motherboard VRM design. The chip features 4 cores and 4 threads, sharing 6MB of L3 cache. It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory natively at 1600 MT/s. Haswell's execution units were widened compared to Ivy Bridge, improving Instructions Per Clock (IPC). The 4590S also supports advanced instruction sets like AVX2 and FMA3, enhancing performance in compute-heavy tasks. The integrated HD 4600 graphics feature 20 execution units and support for DirectX 11.1. The processor connects to the PCH via the DMI 2.0 interface, and offers 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0 for discrete graphics and expansion cards.
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.
- Minor clock speed bump over 4570S
- Better binned silicon
- Slightly improved thermal performance
Key Highlights
- Low 65W TDP
- Decent single-core performance for legacy apps
- Affordable used drop-in upgrade
- Intel HD 4600 graphics included
- Good for basic office and HTPC use
- Obsolete DDR3 platform
- Locked multiplier
- No official Windows 11 support
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Limited to 4 threads
History
The Core i5-4590S debuted in May 2014 as part of Intel's 'Haswell Refresh' strategy. Rather than launching a completely new architecture, Intel bumped clock speeds slightly across the board to maintain market momentum against AMD. The 4590S served as a direct replacement for the 4570S, offering marginally better turbo frequencies.
It arrived at a time when the desktop market was heavily focused on efficiency, with system builders demanding lower TDP parts for mini-ITX cases. The chip saw widespread adoption in office PCs and budget gaming rigs. As the LGA 1150 socket neared the end of its life with the impending arrival of Broadwell and Skylake, the 4590S stood as the pinnacle of the Haswell 'S' series.
In the secondary market today, it remains a popular choice for budget builders reviving older systems.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Minor clock speed bump over 4570S
- Better binned silicon
- Slightly improved thermal performance
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Drop-in upgrade for an older LGA 1150 motherboard.
Avoid if…
- Building a new system
- Needing modern gaming performance
- Wanting Windows 11 compatibility
- Requiring modern I/O
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-4590S is part of the 'Haswell Refresh' lineup, launched a year after the original Haswell.
Despite the 'S' suffix, it can boost to the same 3.6 GHz as the standard 84W i5-4590.
It shares the exact same 177 mm² die size and 1.4 billion transistors as the original Haswell.
The processor supports Intel vPro technology for enterprise management.
It utilizes the FC-LGA12C package.
The max Tcase temperature is 72°C.
It natively supports DDR3-1600 memory.
The integrated HD 4600 graphics feature 20 execution units.
It was one of the last 'S' series processors on the LGA 1150 socket before Broadwell.
The chip includes support for TSX (Transactional Synchronization Extensions).
People Also Ask
Is the Core i5-4590S good for gaming?
It can handle older games and e-sports titles with a dedicated GPU.
What is the difference between i5-4590 and i5-4590S?
The 4590S has a lower base clock and 65W TDP, while the 4590 has 84W TDP.
Can I run Windows 11 on the i5-4590S?
Officially no, but workarounds are available.
Does the i5-4590S support 4K video?
Yes, via the HD 4600 graphics, though playback can be CPU intensive.
What is the maximum RAM supported?
It supports up to 32GB of DDR3 RAM.
Can I overclock the bus speed on the i5-4590S?
Only slightly via base clock, but it's not recommended.
Does it have a stock cooler?
Yes, it comes with an Intel stock cooler.
Is it good for video editing?
Only for basic 1080p editing; it will struggle with 4K.
What is the Haswell Refresh?
It was a 2014 update to the Haswell lineup with minor clock speed bumps.
Does the i5-4590S support DDR4?
No, it only supports DDR3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What socket does the Core i5-4590S use?
It uses the Intel LGA 1150 socket.
Is the Core i5-4590S unlocked for overclocking?
No, it has a locked multiplier.
What is the TDP of the i5-4590S?
It has a 65-watt TDP.
Does it support hyper-threading?
No, it has 4 cores and 4 threads.
What are the clock speeds?
It has a base clock of 2.9 GHz and a turbo boost of up to 3.6 GHz.
What integrated graphics does it have?
It features Intel HD 4600 graphics.
When was the i5-4590S released?
It was released in May 2014.
What memory type does it support?
It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory.
How much L3 cache does it have?
It has 6 MB of L3 cache.
What PCIe version does it support?
It supports PCIe 3.0.