Intel Core i5 4590S 4-core LGA 1150

The i5-4590S is a cheap, low-power quad-core that's perfect for breathing life into an old LGA 1150 board. Performance is fine for everyday tasks, but the platform is dead and the integrated graphics are weak. Worth it at USD 45, not at EUR 201.

Four Haswell cores at 3.7GHz boost still handle everyday stuff fine. Browsing, office work, light photo editing, all smooth. The PassMark multi score of 5100 puts it in the bottom third of our database, so don't expect miracles. Single-thread at 2024 is about average, which means older games and single-core tasks won't feel terrible. The 6MB of L3 cache helps, but the HD 4600 graphics are a weak spot. Fine for desktop use, useless for 4K gaming. And the lower clock speed versus the regular i5-4590 is the trade-off for that 65W TDP.

Against something like the Ryzen 5 7600, this chip gets absolutely demolished. The Ryzen has more cores, way better single-thread, modern platform features, and actual upgrade paths. But it also costs several times more. The Xeon E5-2637 V2 is a closer match in age, but that's a server chip with different motherboard needs. The Phenom II X6 is even older and slower. Honestly, the i5-4590S only makes sense if you already have an LGA 1150 board and need a cheap quad-core. Otherwise, save up for something modern.

At USD 45 for a used unit, this thing is basically pocket change. The EUR listings are all over the place though, ranging from EUR 83 to EUR 201 across three vendors. If you're in Europe, shop around. The cheapest EUR listing is the only one worth considering. For a chip this old, paying over EUR 100 feels wrong unless you're desperate to keep an existing system running. The included cooler sweetens the deal, but don't overpay for nostalgia.

The i5-4590S is Haswell's low-power quad-core, a 65W chip that sips power while still pushing four real cores at 3.0GHz base and 3.7GHz boost. It's old, sure, but it's also cheap, and for basic desktops or a budget home server it still gets the job done. The boxed cooler is included, which is a nice touch at this price.

But let's be real: this is a 2014 chip on a dead platform. DDR3, LGA 1150, no overclocking, and integrated graphics that'll choke on anything beyond light 1080p. If you're building new, there are far better options. If you're keeping an old board alive, this could be a solid drop-in upgrade.

Skip this if you're building a new PC. The LGA 1150 socket is dead, DDR3 is outdated, and there's no upgrade path. If you need anything beyond basic desktop work, light gaming, or a simple home server, look at modern budget options like a Ryzen 5 or Core i3. Also skip it if you want 4K video output or any kind of gaming beyond old titles, the HD 4600 graphics just can't keep up.

Buy this if you're reviving an old LGA 1150 system on a budget. It's a low-power quad-core that handles daily tasks without breaking a sweat or your electricity bill. The included cooler and low used prices make it a painless upgrade. But if you're starting from scratch, don't build around a decade-old platform. This is a stopgap, not a foundation.