Intel Core i5-4590 socket: LGA 1150

What the Core i5-4590 is

The Core i5-4590 is a mainstream Haswell quad for balanced towers on LGA 1150. Intel set four cores and four threads at 3.3 GHz base with turbo to 3.7 GHz. Six megabytes of Smart Cache serve work, study and light creation. Power is 84 W on 22 nm from May 2014. It sits between the 4460 and 4690 on clocks with the same board needs.

Higher base clocks help single thread programs that set office pace. Turbo to 3.7 GHz lifts bursts in photo filters and compiles. Four threads handle multitasking with an SSD for responsive feel. The locked multiplier suits fleets that avoid tuning. It is a steady volume chip with broad board support.

HD Graphics 4600 covers office monitors. DDR3-1333 and 1600 with DDR3L options across two channels to 32 GB feed the cores. The 4590 is a Haswell sweet spot where a small clock gain over the 4460 costs nothing in platform.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 4590 fits LGA 1150 on 8 series boards including H81, B85, H87 and Z87, and on 9 series boards including H97 and Z97. Haswell is native on both series, so most boards accept it from shipping BIOS. Verify the maker entry for OEM boards with older firmware.

The 75 × 75 mm cooler pattern gives wide choice. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide lists stock and tower fits. Chips for LGA 1151 never fit. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide explains chipset tiers.

H81 covers value builds, B85 adds fleet ports, and H97 adds 9 series features. All run the 4590 at full clocks.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

DDR3-1333 and 1600 plus DDR3L variants in dual channel to 32 GB is the spec. Eight gigabytes suits office images. Two equal sticks help graphics in meetings. XMP kits can run on Z boards per manual.

Sixteen PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU feed one graphics slot or adapters. Most 4590 offices keep integrated video. Chipset PCIe 2.0 lanes add SATA and USB. Nine series boards add M.2 adapter options where listed.

Boxed 84 W cooling suits 3.3 GHz in towers with normal airflow. The 37.5 × 37.5 mm FCLGA1150 package fits standard mounts. Keep front intakes clear for steady turbo.

Upgrade paths

On the same socket the Intel Core i5-4690 at 3.5 GHz to 3.9 GHz adds clocks on identical boards. The Intel Core i7-4790K at 4.0 GHz to 4.4 GHz with eight threads is the thread jump for heavier work, needing a Z board and stronger cooling. Both reuse DDR3.

DDR4 needs a new socket and board. The 4590 holds mainstream Haswell towers where 3.3 GHz quads are enough.