Intel Core i3-7320 vs Intel Core i5-4460T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4460T and Intel Core i3-7320 are two desktop processors from different generations. The database records five head-to-head Cinebench tests between them, and the Intel Core i3-7320 wins all five. This analysis walks through the recorded scores, the implications for different workloads, and the architectural and specification differences that accompany the results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data covers five Cinebench workloads: R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. In every test, the Intel Core i3-7320 posts a higher score. The margin is consistent, ranging from 23.3% to 23.7% in favor of the i3-7320.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-7320 scores 408 against the i5-4460T's 313, a 23.3% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows a similar gap: 1703 versus 1305, a 23.4% lead. The R23 multi-core result follows the same pattern, with the i3-7320 at 4057 and the i5-4460T at 3109, again a 23.4% difference. Single-core tests are equally decisive. In R20 single-core, the i3-7320 scores 240, while the i5-4460T scores 183, a 23.7% gap. The R23 single-core test shows 572 versus 438, a 23.4% lead for the i3-7320.

The uniformity of these deltas is notable. Across all five workloads, the i3-7320 outperforms the i5-4460T by roughly 23%. This consistency suggests a systematic performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The largest margin appears in R20 single-core, where the i3-7320 leads by 23.7%, and the smallest in R15 multi-core, at 23.3%. The narrow spread of 0.4 percentage points indicates that the i3-7320's advantage holds equally in both multi-threaded and single-threaded tasks.

The database also records an average benchmark score for each CPU, but these values aggregate different test sets. The i5-4460T has an average score of 1190, while the i3-7320 averages 1173. However, the head-to-head tests, which use identical workloads, show the i3-7320 ahead. The average scores are not directly comparable because the i5-4460T includes Geekbench results (multi-core 2170, single-core 809) that the i3-7320 does not have. Thus, the head-to-head results are the more reliable indicator of relative performance.

Where Each One Wins

In the recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel Core i3-7320 wins all five tests. The i5-4460T has zero wins. This is a clean sweep, with no workload category where the i5-4460T takes the lead.

The i5-4460T does have a lower thermal design power (TDP) of 35 watts, compared to 51 watts for the i3-7320. It also supports DDR3 memory, while the i3-7320 supports DDR4. These differences may matter for system compatibility or power-constrained builds, but they do not translate into a performance win in the tested Cinebench workloads.

The i5-4460T also has a higher physical core count: 4 cores versus 2 cores for the i3-7320. Both CPUs have 4 threads, as the i3-7320 uses Hyper-Threading. Despite the core count advantage, the i5-4460T still trails in every head-to-head test. The i3-7320's higher base clock (4.10 GHz versus 1.90 GHz) and its newer Kaby Lake architecture likely contribute to the result, though the data alone does not isolate the cause.

For users focused on the specific workloads represented by Cinebench, the i3-7320 is the clear winner. The i5-4460T may still be relevant for scenarios where its lower TDP or DDR3 support is a requirement, but the benchmark data shows no performance category where it leads.

The Verdict

Based on the head-to-head data, the Intel Core i3-7320 is the superior performer in all recorded Cinebench tests. Users who prioritize multi-threaded rendering, single-threaded responsiveness, or any of the five measured workloads should choose the i3-7320. Its scores are consistently 23% to 24% higher than the i5-4460T's.

The i5-4460T, despite having more physical cores, does not match the i3-7320 in these tests. Its lower base clock and older Haswell architecture appear to outweigh the core count advantage. The i5-4460T does offer a lower TDP (35W versus 51W) and DDR3 memory support, which could be deciding factors for specific system builds. However, the performance data is unambiguous: the i3-7320 wins every head-to-head comparison.

Additionally, the production status differs. The i5-4460T is marked as end-of-life, while the i3-7320 is active. This may affect availability and long-term support. For a new build where performance is the primary criterion, the i3-7320 is the recommended choice based on the recorded benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i3-7320 scores 4057, while the Intel Core i5-4460T scores 3109, a 23.4% advantage for the i3-7320.

Q: How many cores does each CPU have?

A: The i5-4460T has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-7320 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i5-4460T has a TDP of 35 watts, and the i3-7320 has a TDP of 51 watts.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR4 memory?

A: The i3-7320 supports DDR4, while the i5-4460T supports DDR3.

Q: What are the release dates?

A: The i5-4460T was released on 2014-02-28, and the i3-7320 on 2017-01-02.

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R20?

A: The i3-7320 scores 240, and the i5-4460T scores 183, a 23.7% lead for the i3-7320.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different microarchitectures. The i5-4460T is based on Haswell, built on a 22 nm process. The i3-7320 uses Kaby Lake, built on a 14 nm process. The process node difference is significant, as the smaller node typically allows for higher clock speeds and better power efficiency, though the i3-7320 has a higher TDP.

Core and cache configurations differ as well. The i5-4460T has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, with a shared L3 cache of 6 MB. The i3-7320 has 2 physical cores and 4 threads (via Hyper-Threading), with a shared L3 cache of 4 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Memory support is another key difference. The i5-4460T supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i3-7320 supports DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The higher bandwidth of the i3-7320 may contribute to its performance advantage in memory-sensitive workloads.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-4460T includes Intel HD 4600, while the i3-7320 includes Intel HD 630. Both are integrated GPUs, but the HD 630 is from a newer generation.

The socket types are different: the i5-4460T uses Intel Socket 1150, and the i3-7320 uses Intel Socket 1151. This means they are not interchangeable on the same motherboard.

The i5-4460T has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 2.70 GHz. The i3-7320 has a base clock of 4.10 GHz and no boost clock, as it runs at a fixed frequency. The i3-7320's much higher base clock is a likely factor in its benchmark lead.

The i5-4460T also lists transistor count and die size: 1,400 million transistors and a 177 mm² die. The i3-7320 does not have recorded values for these fields.

Specification Differences

The following table lists the fields where the two CPUs differ, based on the database records.

| Field | Intel Core i5-4460T | Intel Core i3-7320 |

|-------|---------------------|---------------------|

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1900 MHz | 4100 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.70 GHz | None |

| TDP | 35 W | 51 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Kaby Lake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 630 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2014-02-28 | 2017-01-02 |

| Part Number | SR1S7 | SR358 |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | Not recorded |

These differences explain the performance gap observed in the head-to-head benchmarks. The i3-7320's higher clock speed, newer architecture, and faster memory support give it a consistent edge, while the i5-4460T's advantages are limited to core count and lower power draw.