AMD Ryzen 5 1400 vs Intel Core i5-4460 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4460 and AMD Ryzen 5 1400 occupy the same percentile ranking among all CPUs, yet deliver starkly different performance profiles depending on the workload. Both processors hold a 37th percentile position, with average benchmark scores of 1415 and 1410 respectively, placing them within a razor-thin 0.3% margin of each other overall. However, this statistical near-parity masks a generation-defining split between the older Haswell architecture and AMD's newer Zen design. The data reveals that the Ryzen 5 1400 dominates in legacy benchmarks, while the Core i5-4460 fights back in modern multi-threaded workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 comes in Cinebench R15 single-core testing, where it scores 133.75 against the Intel's 59. That represents a 55.9% advantage for AMD, a massive gap that underscores how far Intel's older Haswell cores lag in lightly-threaded performance. The Ryzen 5 1400's lead extends to multi-core testing in the same benchmark suite, scoring 688 versus 421—a 38.8% margin that confirms AMD's SMT advantage shines through even in this older test. These are not marginal wins; they are decisive generational leaps.

The picture shifts dramatically in Cinebench R23, the most recent benchmark in the comparison. Here, the Intel Core i5-4460 actually takes the multi-core crown, scoring 4188 versus the Ryzen 5 1400's 3985. That 5.1% lead for Intel reverses the R15 result and suggests that Intel's architecture scales differently under newer rendering workloads. However, the single-core R23 result remains firmly in AMD's favor: the Ryzen 5 1400 scores 832 versus 591, a 29% advantage.

Looking at the broader benchmark picture, the Intel side includes additional data points that demonstrate its competitive position. In Cinebench R20, the i5-4460 scores 1758 multi-core and 248 single-core, while in Geekbench it manages 3035 multi-core and 1018 single-core. The Ryzen 5 1400 lacks direct R20 and Geekbench scores in this dataset, but its R15 and R23 results tell a consistent story: it wins decisively in single-threaded performance and trades blows in multi-threaded depending on the test generation.

The win tally reflects this split, with the Ryzen 5 1400 claiming 3 wins across the four head-to-head benchmarks, while the Core i5-4460 secures a single victory. Yet that single win in R23 multi-core is significant because it represents the most modern test available. The data suggests that newer Cinebench versions reward different architectural traits, and Intel's Haswell design retains some relevance in those workloads despite its age.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. For users prioritizing single-threaded performance—which typically translates to snappier everyday responsiveness and better performance in lightly-threaded applications—the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is the unambiguous choice. Its 55.9% lead in R15 single-core and 29% lead in R23 single-core are overwhelming margins that no other metric in this comparison can offset. This is particularly relevant for older software that relies on single-thread execution, where the Ryzen's Zen architecture simply outclasses Haswell.

For multi-threaded rendering workloads, the choice depends on which benchmark version you trust. The Ryzen 5 1400 wins R15 multi-core by 38.8%, but loses R23 multi-core by 5.1%. Since R23 is the more recent test and likely better reflects contemporary rendering engines, the Intel Core i5-4460 deserves consideration for users running modern multi-threaded creative applications. However, that 5.1% margin is modest compared to the massive single-core deficits Intel faces.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 also offers practical advantages beyond raw performance numbers. It runs at a 65 W TDP compared to Intel's 84 W, making it more thermally efficient. It supports ECC memory, a feature entirely absent on the Intel side. Its multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking that the locked i5-4460 cannot offer. The Ryzen also uses DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth versus the i5-4460's DDR3 at 25.6 GB/s, which can affect memory-sensitive workloads.

The Intel Core i5-4460's sole multi-core win in R23, combined with its lower launch MSRP of $187 versus AMD's $169, does not overcome the overall balance of evidence. The Ryzen 5 1400 wins three of four benchmarks, often by massive margins, while offering superior platform features. The verdict is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is the better processor for most users, with the Intel retaining niche appeal only for those specifically running modern multi-threaded Cinebench-style workloads and prioritizing that specific metric above all others.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460 has an average benchmark score of 1415, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 scores 1410. The difference is a negligible 0.3%, placing them statistically at parity overall.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460 wins R23 multi-core with a score of 4188 versus the Ryzen 5 1400's 3985, giving Intel a 5.1% advantage in this specific test.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap in Cinebench R15?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 scores 133.75 compared to the Intel Core i5-4460's 59, representing a 55.9% lead for AMD. This is the largest performance difference in any benchmark between these two CPUs.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 1400 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has ECC memory support enabled. The Intel Core i5-4460 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has a TDP of 65 W, while the Intel Core i5-4460 has a TDP of 84 W. The Ryzen is more power-efficient in this regard.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-4460 is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is listed as active production status.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 features 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4460 offers 4 cores and 4 threads—AMD's SMT implementation doubles thread count. Both run at a 3.20 GHz base clock and 3.40 GHz boost clock, identical clock speeds. The TDP differs significantly: the Ryzen 5 1400 consumes 65 W versus Intel's 84 W.

Memory support represents a major generational divide. The Ryzen 5 1400 uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core i5-4460 uses DDR3 with dual-channel support and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory support exists on the AMD chip but is absent on the Intel. The Ryzen 5 1400 has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the Intel i5-4460 is locked.

Integrated graphics also separate these chips. The Intel Core i5-4460 includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has no integrated GPU. Socket compatibility diverges completely: AMD uses Socket AM4, while Intel uses Socket 1150. The Ryzen 5 1400 carries the part number YD1400BBM4KAEYD1400BBAEBOX, while the i5-4460 uses SR1QK.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gulf between these processors spans process node, die size, transistor count, and cache hierarchy. The Intel Core i5-4460 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node from Intel's own foundry, packing 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 employs the Zen architecture on a 14 nm node from GlobalFoundries, integrating 4,800 million transistors across a 213 mm² die. This represents a 3.4x transistor increase for AMD despite a modestly larger die.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Intel i5-4460 provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 1400 offers 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache—larger at every level. The codenames reflect their respective generations: Haswell versus Zen (Summit Ridge), with Intel's Core i5 generation designation and AMD's Ryzen 5 1000 series.

Manufacturing and release timelines also diverge. The Intel processor launched on 2014-05-10, while the AMD arrived nearly three years later on 2017-04-10. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, so that aspect remains constant. The AMD chip's larger L3 cache and per-core L2 cache, combined with its higher transistor count, explain its significant single-thread performance advantages. The Intel chip's smaller footprint and older process node contribute to its higher TDP despite lower performance.