Intel Core i5-2320 vs Intel Core i7-4600M Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data is unequivocal: the Intel Core i5-2320 wins all five recorded comparisons. The most striking pattern is the consistency of the margin. Across Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 multicore, and R23 multicore, the i5-2320 leads by exactly 13.2%. The single-core tests tell a similar story, with the i5-2320 ahead by 13.4% in Cinebench R20 single-core and 13.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core.

The multicore results deserve particular attention. In Cinebench R15, the i5-2320 scores 317 against the i7-4600M's 275. That gap widens to 1321 versus 1147 in Cinebench R20, and reaches 3146 versus 2732 in Cinebench R23. This is not a case of one chip edging out another in a single workload; the i5-2320 maintains a nearly identical lead percentage across every generation of the Cinebench benchmark suite. Such uniformity suggests a fundamental performance advantage rather than workload-specific optimization.

The single-core numbers reveal something more nuanced. The i5-2320 records 186 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 444 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the i7-4600M manages 161 and 385 respectively. The percentage deltas, 13.4% and 13.3%, are almost identical to the multicore margins. This is unusual because the i7-4600M has a higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz compared to the i5-2320's 3.30 GHz. The fact that the lower-clocked desktop chip still wins by double digits in single-threaded workloads points to architectural efficiency differences that will be explored in the next section.

The wins tally confirms the sweep: 0 wins for the i7-4600M, 5 wins for the i5-2320. Neither chip's average benchmark score diverges wildly from its nearest rivals, though. The i7-4600M sits at 1093 average, essentially tied with the i7-4610M at 1094 and just 0.1% ahead of the i7-10510Y. The i5-2320 averages 1083, matching the i5-3335S exactly and trailing the i3-6320 by 0.2%. Both processors occupy the 30th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they belong to the same performance tier despite the head-to-head gap.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design generations with substantially different underlying structures. The i7-4600M is built on Intel's Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, while the i5-2320 uses the older Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm node. This process advantage gives the i7-4600M a 131 mm² die containing 960 million transistors; the i5-2320's die is 216 mm² with 1,160 million transistors.

Core configuration marks the most significant functional split. The i7-4600M is a 2-core, 4-thread part, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach four concurrent threads. The i5-2320 is a true 4-core, 4-thread processor with no Hyper-Threading. The benchmark results suggest that four physical cores on Sandy Bridge outperform two Haswell cores with Hyper-Threading across every tested workload, even when accounting for the newer microarchitecture's per-core improvements.

Cache partitioning also differs. Both chips feature 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, favors the i5-2320 with 6 MB against the i7-4600M's 4 MB. This 50% advantage in last-level cache likely contributes to the desktop chip's consistent lead, particularly in multicore scenarios where more working set fits on-die.

Clock speeds present a mixed picture. The i5-2320 has a higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus 2.90 GHz, but the i7-4600M boosts higher to 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. Despite the i7's superior boost ceiling, the i5-2320 still wins single-core tests by over 13%. Thermal design power tells the other story: the i7-4600M draws just 37 W while the i5-2320 consumes 95 W. The mobile chip achieves its results within a far lower power envelope, though the performance data shows the desktop part's additional thermal headroom translates directly into higher scores.

Both processors support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, with the i7-4600M rated at 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-2320's memory bandwidth is not recorded. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ: the i7-4600M includes Intel HD 4600, while the i5-2320 has the older Intel HD 2000.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows a clean split with no ambiguity: the i5-2320 wins every recorded benchmark. This does not mean the i7-4600M is without merit, but the measured metrics do not provide any workload where it takes the lead. The desktop chip's advantage spans both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests, so there is no scenario in the database where the mobile processor's characteristics (higher boost clock, newer architecture, lower power draw) translate into a performance win.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the i5-2320 is the clear choice. Its 4 physical cores deliver 13.2% higher multicore scores consistently, whether running legacy Cinebench R15 or the more demanding Cinebench R23. The single-core lead of 13.3% to 13.4% means even lightly threaded applications, such as older games or productivity tools, favor the desktop part.

The i7-4600M's case rests entirely on non-benchmark factors. Its 37 W TDP makes it suitable for compact or thermally constrained systems, and its mobile market segment suggests deployment in laptops. The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics represent a newer generation than the i5-2320's HD 2000. For a database-driven comparison, however, the recorded benchmarks show no workload where the i7-4600M outperforms its rival.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multicore performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-2320 wins all multicore benchmarks. It leads by 13.2% in Cinebench R15 (317 versus 275), Cinebench R20 (1321 versus 1147), and Cinebench R23 (3146 versus 2732).

Q: Is the newer architecture of the i7-4600M enough to overcome the i5-2320's core count?

A: No. The i7-4600M uses 22 nm Haswell with 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-2320 uses 32 nm Sandy Bridge with 4 physical cores. The i5-2320 still wins every test by at least 13.2%, indicating that two Haswell cores with Hyper-Threading cannot match four Sandy Bridge cores in these workloads.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The i5-2320 leads by 13.4% in Cinebench R20 single-core (186 versus 161) and 13.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core (444 versus 385), despite the i7-4600M having a higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The i7-4600M averages 1093 while the i5-2320 averages 1083. The i5-2320's average is actually lower, yet it wins all head-to-head tests, highlighting that avgBenchmarkScore includes different test sets and should not be used for direct comparison.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory features?

A: Both support DDR3 with dual-channel memory buses and no ECC support. The i7-4600M has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-2320's bandwidth is not listed.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The i5-2320 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-4600M has 4 MB. Both have the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache sizes.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4600M | Intel Core i5-2320 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 37 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G3 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 960 million | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | 131 mm² | 216 mm² |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 2000 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2013-08-31 | 2011-09-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $346 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SR1H7 | SR02L |

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity: the Intel Core i5-2320 is the superior performer across all tested benchmarks. Its 13.2% multicore advantage and 13.3% to 13.4% single-core advantage are uniform and substantial. The desktop chip's 4 physical cores, larger 6 MB L3 cache, and higher base clock of 3.00 GHz combine to overcome the i7-4600M's newer Haswell architecture, smaller 22 nm process, and higher 3.60 GHz boost clock.

The i7-4600M's only measurable advantages lie outside performance. Its 37 W TDP versus 95 W makes it dramatically more power-efficient, and its mobile market segment means it fits in laptops where the i5-2320's desktop Socket 1155 cannot go. The integrated HD 4600 graphics are a newer generation than the HD 2000. The i7-4600M also carries a recorded launch MSRP of $346, while the i5-2320's price is not listed.

For users building or upgrading a desktop system where power draw is not a constraint, the i5-2320 is the data-backed choice. Every benchmark in the database confirms its dominance. For a mobile platform or a system where the 37 W TDP is critical, the i7-4600M remains the only viable option, but the performance trade-off is clear: approximately 13% slower across the board. The 30th percentile ranking for both chips suggests neither is a high-end part by modern standards, but within this pairing, the i5-2320 is decisively faster.