Intel Core i3-9100TE vs Intel Core i5-4460 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data presents a clear split: the Intel Core i5-4460 dominates the Cinebench suite, while the Intel Core i3-9100TE takes both Geekbench tests. This is not a close contest overall, as the i5-4460 wins six of the eight recorded benchmarks, but the margins tell a more nuanced story.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-4460 scores 421 against 393 for the i3-9100TE, a delta of 7.1%. The single-core result in the same test shows 59 versus 55, a 7.3% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds: 1758 versus 1638 in multicore (7.3% delta) and 248 versus 231 in single-core (7.4% delta). The R23 results continue the trend, with the i5-4460 posting 4188 multicore and 591 single-core, compared to 3900 and 550 respectively, yielding deltas of 7.4% and 7.5%. In every Cinebench iteration, the i5-4460 leads by a margin between 7.1% and 7.5%, showing consistent superiority regardless of workload version.

The i3-9100TE fights back in Geekbench. Its multicore score of 3214 tops the i5-4460's 3035, a 5.6% swing in favor of the newer chip. The single-core Geekbench result is even more pronounced: 1105 versus 1018, a 7.9% advantage. These are the only two wins for the i3-9100TE, but they are meaningful in that they represent a different measurement methodology, one that apparently favors the architectural improvements of Coffee Lake over the raw clock speed advantage of Haswell.

The average benchmark scores in the database place the i5-4460 at 1415 and the i3-9100TE at 1386. The i5-4460 sits exactly at parity with the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 and AMD Ryzen 7 2700U (both 1415), while being 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3840QM and 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-2700K. The i3-9100TE, by contrast, is 0.1% behind the AMD Opteron 6274, 0.3% ahead of the AMD Opteron 6238, 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3615QE, and 0.5% ahead of the AMD Opteron 6366 HE. Both CPUs sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs in the database, a statistical tie in overall standing.

Where Each One Wins

The Cinebench results are unambiguous: the i5-4460 wins every rendering and multi-threaded workload test. Its 3.20 GHz base clock and 3.40 GHz boost clock, combined with the Haswell architecture, deliver 7.1% to 7.5% higher scores across R15, R20, and R23. For users running CPU-bound rendering tasks, video encoding, or any application that scales with sustained multi-core performance, the i5-4460 is the clear choice based on this data.

The i3-9100TE wins specifically in Geekbench, which measures a broader set of real-world scenarios including web browsing, file compression, and encryption. Its 5.6% multicore and 7.9% single-core advantages suggest that for everyday productivity tasks, the Coffee Lake architecture with its newer instruction set and improved IPC compensates for the lower clocks (2.20 GHz base, 3.20 GHz boost). The i3-9100TE also supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth versus the i5-4460's DDR3 at 25.6 GB/s, which could influence memory-sensitive workloads, though the exact benchmark impact is not directly measured in the recorded data.

The i5-4460's 84 W TDP versus the i3-9100TE's 35 W TDP is a significant operational difference. The i3-9100TE draws less than half the power budget, making it more suitable for thermally constrained environments or systems where energy efficiency is paramount. However, the benchmark data does not indicate that the lower TDP translates into lower performance in the tested scenarios, as the i5-4460 still leads in most tests despite its higher power envelope.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i5-4460 is the faster CPU in the majority of measured benchmarks. It wins all six Cinebench tests with margins between 7.1% and 7.5%, covering both single-core and multi-core scenarios. Its average benchmark score of 1415 exceeds the i3-9100TE's 1386 by 2.1%. For anyone prioritizing raw computational throughput in rendering, simulation, or other compute-heavy applications, the i5-4460 is the superior choice.

The Intel Core i3-9100TE, however, wins in Geekbench, suggesting it has an edge in certain general-purpose workloads. Its 7.9% single-core advantage in Geekbench indicates that for applications with low thread counts but high per-thread demands, it may offer a snappier experience. The 35 W TDP also makes it attractive for embedded or compact systems where power and heat are primary concerns.

The launch MSRP for the i5-4460 was $187, while the i3-9100TE launched at $122. Both CPUs are end-of-life products, and the database records identical 37th percentile standings. The choice between them depends on workload: the i5-4460 for Cinebench-style rendering and multi-threaded tasks, the i3-9100TE for Geekbench-style general computation and lower power operation. The recorded data cannot declare an overall winner, as the two CPUs split their victories across different benchmark families.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i3-9100TE wins Geekbench single-core with 1105 versus 1018, a 7.9% delta. However, the Intel Core i5-4460 wins Cinebench R15 single-core (59 vs 55), R20 single-core (248 vs 231), and R23 single-core (591 vs 550), each by approximately 7.3% to 7.5%.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460 leads in all three Cinebench multi-core tests: R15 (421 vs 393), R20 (1758 vs 1638), and R23 (4188 vs 3900), with deltas of 7.1% to 7.4%. The Intel Core i3-9100TE wins Geekbench multicore with 3214 versus 3035, a 5.6% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between them?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460 has a TDP of 84 W, while the Intel Core i3-9100TE has a TDP of 35 W. The i3-9100TE draws significantly less power.

Q: Do they use the same memory type?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-4460 supports DDR3 with dual-channel memory and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i3-9100TE supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What are the architectural differences?

A: The i5-4460 uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The i3-9100TE uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm². Both have 4 cores, 4 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460 has an average benchmark score of 1415, while the Intel Core i3-9100TE has 1386. Both CPUs are at the 37th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural eras. The Intel Core i5-4460 is based on Haswell, released in May 2014, while the Intel Core i3-9100TE is based on Coffee Lake, released in March 2019. This five-year gap manifests in several key specifications.

The manufacturing process differs: the i5-4460 uses a 22 nm node with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The i3-9100TE uses a 14 nm node with a 126 mm² die, though its transistor count is not recorded. The smaller die on a newer process suggests better density and efficiency, consistent with the lower TDP.

Memory support is a major divergence. The i5-4460 pairs with DDR3 memory at 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i3-9100TE uses DDR4 at 38.4 GB/s, a 50% increase in theoretical bandwidth. The i3-9100TE also supports ECC memory, which the i5-4460 does not. Both use dual-channel configurations.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-4460 includes Intel HD 4600, while the i3-9100TE includes UHD Graphics 630. The newer UHD 630 GPU in the i3-9100TE is expected to provide better media capabilities, though no benchmark data is recorded for graphics performance.

Both CPUs have 4 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The base clocks differ significantly, with the i5-4460 at 3.20 GHz and the i3-9100TE at 2.20 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, at 3.40 GHz and 3.20 GHz respectively. The i5-4460's higher clocks likely explain its Cinebench advantages, while the i3-9100TE's architectural improvements in IPC may account for its Geekbench wins.

Sockets and PCIe are also different. The i5-4460 uses Intel Socket 1150 with PCIe Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only). The i3-9100TE uses Intel Socket 1151 with the same PCIe configuration. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-4460's part number is SR1QK, while the i3-9100TE's is SRGE0SRGQY.