Intel Core i3-4170 vs Intel Core i5-4460T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results present a clear split between these two Haswell-era desktop processors. Across the seven head-to-head comparisons, the Intel Core i5-4460T claims six wins, while the Intel Core i3-4170 takes one decisive victory. The most dramatic result is in Geekbench single-core, where the i3-4170 scores 1090 against the i5-4460T's 809 — a 34.7% advantage. This is not a marginal difference; it is the single largest delta in the entire comparison and points to a fundamental clock-speed versus core-count trade-off.

In multi-core workloads, the i5-4460T consistently leads, though by much smaller margins. The Geekbench multi-core test shows the i5-4460T at 2170 versus 2033 for the i3-4170, a 6.3% gap. Cinebench results are tighter still. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4460T scores 313 against 306, a 2.2% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1305 versus 1275, a 2.3% edge. Cinebench R23 multi-core repeats the pattern: 3109 versus 3038, again 2.3%. These are consistent but modest advantages, suggesting that the i5-4460T's two additional physical cores do not translate into proportional gains in these particular render tests.

Single-core Cinebench results are nearly identical. The i5-4460T wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 183 versus 180 (1.6% delta) and Cinebench R23 single-core with 438 versus 429 (2.1% delta). The i3-4170's single-core strength, so pronounced in Geekbench, does not appear in Cinebench. This discrepancy is worth noting: the i3-4170's 34.7% Geekbench single-core win stands alone, while every other single-core test goes to the i5-4460T.

Looking at the broader context, both processors sit at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1193 for the i3-4170 and 1190 for the i5-4460T. The nearest rivals list for the i3-4170 includes the AMD Athlon PRO 300U and Intel Core i7-8665UE at identical 1193 scores, with a 0.0% delta. The i5-4460T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-2400 at 1187, just 0.3% behind. These figures underscore that, on average, the two processors perform at the same level despite their different architectural approaches.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-4170's victory is narrow but specific. It wins exactly one benchmark — Geekbench single-core — by a wide 34.7% margin. This result indicates an advantage in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive applications where the i3-4170's higher base clock (3.70 GHz versus the i5-4460T's 1.90 GHz base) can be fully exploited. The i3-4170 also lacks a boost clock, meaning it runs at its full frequency at all times, whereas the i5-4460T depends on reaching its 2.70 GHz boost to approach similar performance. For workloads that do not scale beyond one or two threads, the i3-4170 is the stronger choice based on this data.

The i5-4460T wins everywhere else, including all four Cinebench multi-core tests and both Cinebench single-core tests, plus Geekbench multi-core. Its multi-core wins are consistent, ranging from 2.2% to 6.3%, and they reflect the benefit of four physical cores versus two. The i5-4460T also edges out the i3-4170 in Cinebench single-core, though by small margins (1.6% to 2.1%), which suggests that its boost clock of 2.70 GHz is sufficient to keep pace with the i3-4170's fixed 3.70 GHz in these specific tests.

For sustained multi-threaded workloads — rendering, encoding, compilation — the i5-4460T is the better performer according to the data. For single-threaded, latency-bound tasks like legacy gaming or older applications, the i3-4170's Geekbench single-core score is the standout. The overall average benchmark scores (1193 versus 1190) are so close that the choice between these two comes down to workload profile rather than overall capability.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170 wins Geekbench single-core decisively, scoring 1090 versus 809 for the i5-4460T, a 34.7% advantage. However, in Cinebench single-core tests, the i5-4460T wins by small margins: 183 versus 180 in R20 and 438 versus 429 in R23.

Q: How much faster is the i5-4460T in multi-core workloads?

A: The i5-4460T leads in every multi-core test. Geekbench multi-core shows 2170 versus 2033 (6.3% faster). Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core scores show leads of 2.2%, 2.3%, and 2.3% respectively.

Q: Do these processors have the same architecture?

A: Yes, both use the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node, with 1,400 million transistors and a die size of 177 mm². They also share the same Intel Socket 1150 and dual-channel DDR3 memory support with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The i3-4170 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-4460T has 4 cores and 4 threads. Both lack hyper-threading beyond the i3's 2-core/4-thread configuration.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i5-4460T has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 3 MB found on the i3-4170. Both have identical L1 and L2 cache configurations: 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core respectively.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i5-4460T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i3-4170 has a TDP of 54 watts. The i5-4460T also has a boost clock of 2.70 GHz, while the i3-4170 runs at a fixed 3.70 GHz with no boost.

Specification Differences

The two processors share many specifications but differ in several key areas. The core count differs: the i3-4170 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-4460T has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clock speeds are markedly different — the i3-4170 runs at 3.70 GHz, while the i5-4460T has a base clock of 1.90 GHz. The i5-4460T adds a boost clock of 2.70 GHz, which the i3-4170 lacks entirely. TDP also differs: 54 watts for the i3-4170 versus 35 watts for the i5-4460T.

L3 cache is another divider: the i3-4170 has 3 MB shared, while the i5-4460T has 6 MB shared. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the i3-4170 featuring Intel HD 4400 and the i5-4460T featuring Intel HD 4600. The launch MSRP is available only for the i3-4170 at $117; no launch MSRP is listed for the i5-4460T. Finally, the part numbers differ (SR1PL for the i3-4170, SR1S7 for the i5-4460T), and the release dates are slightly different: the i5-4460T was released on 2014-02-28, while the i3-4170 followed on 2014-04-30.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the Haswell architecture, codenamed Haswell, using Intel's 22 nm process node. The foundry is Intel for both, with identical transistor counts of 1,400 million and die sizes of 177 mm². They share the same socket (Intel Socket 1150), PCIe configuration (Gen 3, 16 lanes CPU-only), and memory support (dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth). Neither supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The architectural differences are limited to core configuration, cache allocation, clock behavior, and integrated graphics. The i5-4460T's four physical cores versus the i3-4170's two physical cores is the most significant structural difference. This is reflected in the L3 cache allocation: 6 MB shared for the i5-4460T versus 3 MB shared for the i3-4170. The i5-4460T's lower base clock (1.90 GHz) and boost capability (up to 2.70 GHz) contrast with the i3-4170's fixed 3.70 GHz. The integrated graphics solution also differs, with the i5-4460T using Intel HD 4600 and the i3-4170 using Intel HD 4400. Both processors are end-of-life production status, and both belong to the Haswell generation (Core i3 and Core i5 variants respectively). The market segment for both is Desktop, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.