CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4460S and Intel Celeron G6900E represent two distinct eras of Intel desktop design, separated by nearly eight years of architectural evolution. The data reveals a fascinating split: the older quad-core Haswell part dominates in multi-threaded and Cinebench workloads, while the newer dual-core Alder Lake chip delivers a decisive victory in Geekbench single-core performance. This comparison highlights how core count and modern IPC improvements create divergent strengths across different benchmark suites, with the i5-4460S winning 7 out of 8 head-to-head tests despite its older 22 nm process node.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460S edges ahead with an average benchmark score of 1330, compared to the Intel Celeron G6900E's 1321. Both processors sit at the 35th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are closely matched in overall performance.

Q: How significant is the Celeron's single-core advantage in Geekbench?

A: The Celeron G6900E scores 1561 in Geekbench single-core versus the i5-4460S's 1026, representing a 34.3% lead. This is the largest performance gap between the two processors in any benchmark test, showing a substantial advantage for the newer architecture in this specific workload.

Q: What happens in Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: The i5-4460S wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests, with deltas ranging from 8.7% in R15 to 8.9% in R20 and R23. The older processor's four physical cores provide a consistent edge over the Celeron's two cores across all rendering workloads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the Intel Core i5-4460S nor the Intel Celeron G6900E supports ECC memory, according to the specification data. Both are desktop-focused parts without error-correcting memory capabilities.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460S is marked as end-of-life, having been released in May 2014. The Intel Celeron G6900E is active production, with a release date of January 2022, making it a current-generation offering.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 single-core?

A: The i5-4460S scores 558 compared to the Celeron's 512, giving the older processor a 9% lead. This is a surprising result given the Celeron's larger Geekbench single-core margin, suggesting benchmark-specific behaviors in how each architecture handles the workload.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural divide between these processors starts with their process nodes. The i5-4460S uses Intel's 22 nm Haswell design, while the Celeron G6900E is built on the 10 nm Alder Lake-S architecture. This process difference is stark: the Haswell die measures 177 mm² with 1,400 million transistors, whereas the Celeron's die size and transistor count are not listed in the data. The newer 10 nm process allows for significantly different cache organization, with the Celeron featuring 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, compared to the i5's 64 KB and 256 KB per core respectively. However, the i5 counters with a larger shared L3 cache of 6 MB versus the Celeron's 4 MB.

Core configuration represents the most significant divergence. The i5-4460S offers 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Celeron G6900E provides only 2 cores and 2 threads. The base clocks are nearly identical at 2.90 GHz for the i5 and 3.00 GHz for the Celeron, but the i5 has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz while the Celeron has no listed boost capability. The thermal design power differs notably, with the i5 rated at 65 W and the Celeron at 46 W, reflecting the newer process efficiency. Socket compatibility also separates them completely: the i5 requires Intel Socket 1150, while the Celeron uses Intel Socket 1700, meaning they cannot be installed in the same motherboards.

Memory support shows another generational leap. The i5-4460S supports only DDR3 with dual-channel memory and a listed bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The Celeron G6900E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, though its memory bandwidth is not specified in the data. PCIe capabilities differ as well, with the i5 offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Celeron provides Gen 5 connectivity. Integrated graphics also differ, with the i5 featuring Intel HD 4600 and the Celeron using UHD Graphics 710.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4460S establishes dominance in every multithreaded workload tested, winning all three Cinebench multi-core tests and the Geekbench multi-core test. Its four physical cores provide a consistent advantage in rendering and parallel processing, with margins between 1.8% and 8.9% across these tests. For users running Cinebench R20 or R23 multi-core benchmarks, the i5 is the clear choice, delivering scores that are nearly 9% higher than the Celeron. The data suggests that legacy quad-core designs still hold value in heavily threaded applications despite their older architecture.

The Celeron G6900E's sole victory comes in Geekbench single-core, where it achieves a 34.3% advantage over the i5. This massive margin indicates that Alder Lake's IPC improvements are substantial in single-threaded scenarios, even at the Celeron tier. However, this win does not translate to Cinebench single-core tests, where the i5 actually leads by 9.8% in R15 and 9% in R23. This discrepancy suggests that Geekbench's single-core workload favors the newer architecture's features differently than Cinebench's rendering tasks, making the choice dependent on which benchmark better represents the user's actual workload.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. Core and thread counts show the i5 with 4 cores/4 threads versus the Celeron's 2 cores/2 threads. Base clocks are close at 2.90 GHz versus 3.00 GHz, but the i5 adds a 3.40 GHz boost clock while the Celeron has no boost capability listed. TDP differs by 19 W, with the i5 at 65 W and the Celeron at 46 W. Socket compatibility is entirely different: Intel Socket 1150 for the i5 and Intel Socket 1700 for the Celeron.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The i5's L1 cache is 64 KB per core versus the Celeron's 80 KB per core, but the i5's L2 is much smaller at 256 KB per core compared to the Celeron's 1.25 MB per core. The i5 compensates with 6 MB of shared L3 versus 4 MB on the Celeron. Process node shows 22 nm for the i5 and 10 nm for the Celeron, with the i5's die size and transistor count listed while the Celeron's are not available. Memory support covers DDR3 for the i5 and DDR4/DDR5 for the Celeron, with memory bandwidth listed only for the i5 at 25.6 GB/s. PCIe generation differs from Gen 3 to Gen 5, and integrated graphics move from HD 4600 to UHD Graphics 710. The i5 has a launch MSRP of $182, while the Celeron has no listed launch MSRP. Release dates span from May 2014 to January 2022, and production status shifts from end-of-life to active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-4460S wins 7 of the 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with its largest victories coming in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 398 against the Celeron's 366, an 8.7% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar margin at 9.8%, with scores of 56 versus 51. Cinebench R20 multi-core produces a 1661 to 1525 result for the i5, an 8.9% lead, while single-core R20 shows 234 versus 215, an 8.8% margin. Cinebench R23 continues the pattern with multi-core scores of 3955 against 3632, a 8.9% delta, and single-core scores of 558 versus 512, a 9% difference.

Geekbench results tell a different story. The multi-core test shows a narrow 1.8% win for the i5, with scores of 2750 versus 2702. This close margin indicates that the Celeron's modern architecture nearly overcomes its core deficit in this workload. The single-core Geekbench test is where the Celeron dominates, scoring 1561 against the i5's 1026, representing a 34.3% victory. This is the only test where the Celeron wins, and it does so by the largest margin in the entire comparison. The contrast between the 9% i5 lead in Cinebench single-core and the 34.3% Celeron lead in Geekbench single-core suggests significant workload-dependent IPC differences between the Haswell and Alder Lake architectures.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-4460S is the better choice for users running Cinebench workloads or any multithreaded rendering tasks. It wins every Cinebench test by roughly 9%, regardless of core count or single-core versus multi-core configuration. Its four cores provide a reliable advantage that the Celeron cannot overcome, even with the newer architecture. The i5's 6 MB of shared L3 cache and 3.40 GHz boost clock also contribute to its consistent performance across the entire Cinebench suite. For benchmark enthusiasts or users running similar rendering applications, the i5's 7-1 head-to-head record makes it the clear performance winner.

The Intel Celeron G6900E is the better choice for users whose workloads resemble Geekbench single-core tasks. Its 34.3% advantage in that specific test is substantial, showing that Alder Lake's IPC improvements are real and meaningful. The Celeron also offers modern platform benefits including DDR5 memory support, PCIe Gen 5, and a lower 46 W TDP, though these are not directly benchmarked in the data. However, the Celeron's two cores limit its multithreaded performance, resulting in losses across all Cinebench tests and a narrow 1.8% multi-core Geekbench deficit. Users prioritizing single-threaded responsiveness in Geekbench-style workloads should consider the Celeron, while those needing balanced multithreaded performance should choose the i5-4460S.