Intel Core i5-4590S
Intel Core i5-4590S: Review of an Outdated yet Relevant Solution for Budget Systems (2025)
Key Features: Haswell Architecture and Modest Performance
The Intel Core i5-4590S, released in 2014, belongs to the fourth generation of Intel Core processors (codename Haswell). Despite its age, it remains popular in the secondary market due to its balance of price and performance. Let's look at its key specifications:
- Manufacturing Process: 22 nm — outdated even by 2025 standards, but it was a step forward in energy efficiency for its time.
- Cores/Threads: 4 cores and 4 threads — lacks multithreading, which limits parallel task scenarios.
- Clock Speed: Base frequency — 3.0 GHz, maximum turbo frequency — 3.7 GHz. This is sufficient for office tasks, but in 2025, it's inadequate for demanding applications.
- Cache: 6 MB L3 — a modest size, which affects latency in gaming and rendering.
- TDP: 65 W — low power consumption for a desktop CPU. The letter "S" in the name indicates an energy-efficient version.
- Integrated Graphics: Intel HD 4600 — supports 4K via DisplayPort, but is unsuitable for gaming (for example, CS:GO at low settings yields ~30-40 FPS).
Key Features: Support for AVX2 instructions, virtualization technologies (VT-x, VT-d), and hardware data encryption (AES-NI). For its era, it had an advanced feature set, but in 2025, it’s insufficient for modern tasks like AI processing.
Compatible Motherboards: Hunting for LGA 1150
The processor uses the LGA 1150 socket, which has been discontinued for 10 years. New motherboards for this socket are no longer produced, but remnants or refurbished models can still be found on the market. The main chipsets include:
- H81/B85: Budget options with basic functionality (no RAID, limited number of SATA/USB ports).
- H87/H97: Support for more USB 3.0 and SATA 6 Gbps. H97 adds compatibility with NVMe SSDs via adapters.
- Z87/Z97: Enthusiast chipsets with overclocking capabilities (but the i5-4590S has a locked multiplier).
Practical Example: The ASUS H97-PRO GAMER motherboard (priced at $70-90 new in 2025, if you can find it) is suitable for building a media center, thanks to HDMI support and optical audio output. However, most new LGA 1150 motherboards are Chinese noname solutions from Aliexpress priced at $40-60, with questionable quality.
Memory: Only DDR3 — Yesterday's Technology
The i5-4590S supports DDR3 with speeds up to 1600 MHz (in dual-channel mode). The theoretical maximum capacity is 32 GB, but in reality, motherboards rarely support more than 16 GB.
Problems in 2025:
- DDR3 falls short compared to DDR4/DDR5 in speed and energy efficiency.
- Prices for new DDR3 modules are inflated due to low demand (8 GB DDR3-1600 is $25-30 compared to $20 for DDR4-3200).
- Insufficient bandwidth for gaming and professional tasks.
Advice: Use a dual-channel configuration (2x8 GB) to maximize performance. If building a PC from scratch, look for kits with low timings (e.g., CL9).
Power Supply: 65 W Does Not Mean “Any Will Do”
Intel's official recommendations suggest using a PSU of at least 300 W. However, the actual power needed depends on the components:
- Without a discrete GPU: A PSU of 250-300 W is sufficient (for example, a be quiet! Pure Power 11 300W for $45).
- With a GPU like the NVIDIA GTX 1650 (TDP 75 W): A PSU of 400-450 W is recommended (Corsair CX450 for $55).
- With a powerful GPU (e.g., RTX 3060): Not recommended due to potential CPU bottlenecks; however, if needed, a PSU of at least 550 W.
Important: Older PSUs with 4-pin CPU connectors may not be compatible — check for an 8-pin connector for the motherboard.
Pros and Cons: Who is it Relevant for in 2025?
Pros:
- Low price on the secondary market ($30-50 for the CPU).
- Energy efficiency (suitable for PCs running 24/7).
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks: office work, web surfing, 4K viewing.
- Reliability of the Haswell architecture — fewer failure reports compared to early Ryzen models.
Cons:
- No support for DDR4/PCIe 4.0.
- Lack of multithreading (4C/4T vs 4C/8T in modern i3).
- Outdated integration with OS: Windows 11 is officially unsupported (modifications required).
- Limited upgrade path: replacing the CPU would necessitate changing the motherboard and RAM.
Use Cases: Where Else Can It Be Useful?
1. Office PC: Document work, Zoom conferences, multitasking with 10+ browser tabs (with 16 GB of RAM).
2. Home Theater: Connecting to a TV via HDMI, streaming 4K (with hardware decoding via HD 4600).
3. Entry-level Server: NAS based on FreeNAS or a Plex media server (without HEVC hardware decoding).
4. Educational PC: For students — learning, simple software like Scratch.
Practical Example: A user built a media center based on i5-4590S by adding a Kingston A400 SSD (240 GB for $25) and a 300 W PSU. The system consumes less than 100 W under load and operates almost silently.
Comparison with Competitors: Who It Outperforms and Who It Falls Behind
- AMD FX-8350 (2012): 8 cores, but weak IPC. In single-thread tasks, the i5-4590S is 30% faster, while the FX excels in multithreaded scenarios. However, the FX-8350 requires powerful cooling and a robust PSU.
- Intel Core i3-10100 (2020): 4C/8T, DDR4 support. Single-thread performance is 40% higher, and multithreading is 60% better. Newer i3 models are pricier ($120), but justified for an upgrade.
- AMD Ryzen 3 4100 (2022): 4C/8T, PCIe 4.0. In gaming, it is 50% faster but requires a new motherboard and DDR4.
Conclusion: In 2025, the i5-4590S is a choice for those prioritizing minimal system cost over performance.
Practical Assembly Tips
1. Look for combos on the secondary market: Bundles of CPU + motherboard + RAM often sell for $80-100.
2. Cooling: The stock cooler is adequate, but for quieter operation, consider a Deepcool GAMMAXX 400 ($20).
3. SSD is essential: Even an old SATA SSD (e.g., Crucial MX500) will significantly speed up the system.
4. Do not overpay for a GPU: If you need a gaming PC, it’s better to choose a Ryzen 5 5600G with integrated Vega graphics.
5. Check the BIOS: Older motherboards may not support UEFI, complicating Windows 11 installation.
Final Conclusion: Who Will Benefit from the i5-4590S in 2025?
This processor should be considered only in three scenarios:
1. Upgrading an old PC: If you already have an LGA 1150 motherboard and DDR3 RAM.
2. Ultra-budget build: When the total budget for the entire system needs to be $150-200 (including used components).
3. Special tasks: For example, a router based on pfSense or a terminal for a cash register.
Why not choose it for new builds? Even cheap modern processors (like the Intel N100) offer comparable performance with lower power consumption and support for current standards. However, if the budget is strictly limited, and time is not, the i5-4590S may still serve a purpose.