Intel Core i5-2500 vs Intel Core i5-4460T Comparison

Intel Core i5-2500 vs Intel Core i5-4460T

The benchmark data splits these two legacy desktop processors decisively by workload type. The Intel Core i5-2500 wins five of the seven recorded head-to-head tests, dominating all Cinebench workloads with margins between 11.8% and 12.6%. The Intel Core i5-4460T counters with two wins in Geekbench, taking both the single-core and multi-core tests by 17.2% and 13.2% respectively. This is not a case of one chip being universally faster; it is a case of two architectures responding differently to different benchmark suites. The i5-2500 is the stronger choice for Cinebench-style rendering, while the i5-4460T holds a clear advantage in Geekbench's mixed workload.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-2500 establishes its dominance in multi-threaded rendering workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 350 against the 4460T's 313, an 11.8% lead. The gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-2500 posts 1461 versus 1305, a 12% advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows the same pattern: 3479 for the i5-2500 versus 3109 for the 4460T, an 11.9% margin. These results indicate that in sustained multi-threaded compute, the older Sandy Bridge design maintains a consistent edge over the newer but lower-clocked Haswell part.

Single-core Cinebench results reinforce the i5-2500's position. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-2500 scores 206 against 183, a 12.6% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 491 versus 438, a 12.1% margin. The i5-2500's higher base and boost clocks, 3.30 GHz and 3.70 GHz respectively, directly explain this advantage over the 4460T's 1.90 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost.

The i5-4460T's wins come exclusively in Geekbench. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 809 against the i5-2500's 670, a substantial 17.2% lead. Geekbench multi-core shows 2170 versus 1883, a 13.2% advantage. This suggests the newer Haswell architecture with its improved instruction handling and memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s performs better in Geekbench's diverse test suite, despite lower clock speeds. The 4460T's integrated graphics, Intel HD 4600 versus the 2500's HD 2000, may also contribute to its stronger showing in certain system-level tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations. The i5-2500 uses Sandy Bridge, built on Intel's 32 nm process, while the i5-4460T uses Haswell on a 22 nm node. The die sizes reflect this: the Sandy Bridge die measures 216 mm² with 1,160 million transistors, whereas the Haswell die is smaller at 177 mm² but packs more transistors at 1,400 million. This density improvement is a key architectural evolution.

Cache configurations are identical in capacity. Both chips feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory support is also the same: both use DDR3 in dual-channel mode. The 4460T explicitly lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the 2500's bandwidth figure is not recorded in the database.

The integrated graphics differ significantly. The i5-2500 ships with Intel HD 2000, while the i5-4460T includes Intel HD 4600. The newer HD 4600 represents a substantial generational improvement in integrated GPU capability, though the database does not record specific graphics benchmark scores.

Socket compatibility separates the two platforms. The i5-2500 uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-4460T uses Intel Socket 1150. These are not cross-compatible, meaning a motherboard upgrade is required to move between them. Both processors have four cores and four threads, with no hyper-threading, and both have locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite tells a consistent story of i5-2500 superiority. Cinebench R15 multi-core: 350 for the i5-2500, 313 for the 4460T, an 11.8% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core: 1461 versus 1305, a 12% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3479 versus 3109, an 11.9% delta. These margins are remarkably stable, suggesting the clock speed advantage of the i5-2500 translates almost linearly into Cinebench performance.

Single-core Cinebench results show even larger relative gaps. Cinebench R20 single-core gives the i5-2500 a 12.6% lead (206 versus 183). Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 12.1% advantage (491 versus 438). The i5-2500's boost clock of 3.70 GHz, a full 1.00 GHz higher than the 4460T's 2.70 GHz, is the primary driver here.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative. Geekbench single-core shows the 4460T at 809 versus 670 for the i5-2500, a 17.2% lead. Geekbench multi-core shows 2170 versus 1883, a 13.2% margin. These are the largest deltas in either direction across the entire benchmark set. The 4460T's superior memory bandwidth and architectural improvements in Haswell appear to matter more in Geekbench's workload mix than raw clock speed.

The overall win count is 5-2 in favor of the i5-2500. Its average benchmark score of 1220 edges out the 4460T's 1190, a difference that places the i5-2500 at the 34th percentile of all CPUs versus the 4460T's 33rd. The nearest rivals for each chip confirm their similar overall standing: the i5-2500 sits within 0.8% of the Intel Core i3-7300T, while the 4460T sits within 0.3% of the Intel Core i5-2400.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The i5-2500 has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the i5-4460T has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 2.70 GHz. This is a 1.40 GHz difference at base and 1.00 GHz at boost, favoring the i5-2500.

Thermal design power differs dramatically. The i5-2500 carries a 95 W TDP, while the i5-4460T draws only 35 W. This makes the 4460T exceptionally efficient for a quad-core desktop chip, a 60 W reduction that has direct implications for cooling and power delivery requirements.

Process node and physical characteristics differ. The i5-2500 uses a 32 nm node with a 216 mm² die and 1,160 million transistors. The i5-4460T uses a 22 nm node with a 177 mm² die and 1,400 million transistors. The Haswell chip is physically smaller but electrically denser.

Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 2000 for the i5-2500, Intel HD 4600 for the i5-4460T. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for the 4460T at 25.6 GB/s. Both use DDR3 dual-channel memory, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes, and neither supports ECC memory. Release dates differ by about three years: the i5-2500 launched in January 2011, the i5-4460T in February 2014. Both are end-of-life products with locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-2500 wins with a score of 3479 against the i5-4460T's 3109, an 11.9% advantage.

Q: What explains the i5-4460T's Geekbench wins?

A: The i5-4460T scores 809 in Geekbench single-core versus 670 for the i5-2500, a 17.2% lead. In Geekbench multi-core it scores 2170 versus 1883, a 13.2% margin. The Haswell architecture's improved memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s and newer integrated graphics likely contribute.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-2500 has an average benchmark score of 1220, placing it at the 34th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-4460T averages 1190, at the 33rd percentile.

Q: Are the sockets interchangeable?

A: No. The i5-2500 uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-4460T uses Intel Socket 1150. They are not cross-compatible.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The i5-2500 has a 95 W TDP, while the i5-4460T has a 35 W TDP. The 4460T consumes 60 W less power at the thermal design point.

Q: Which chip has more transistors?

A: The i5-4460T has 1,400 million transistors, compared to the i5-2500's 1,160 million. The 4460T also uses a smaller 22 nm process versus the 2500's 32 nm.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear workload-based recommendation. For users running Cinebench-type rendering workloads, the Intel Core i5-2500 is the superior choice. It leads in every recorded Cinebench test, with margins ranging from 11.8% to 12.6%. Its higher base and boost clocks, 3.30 GHz and 3.70 GHz, directly translate to faster rendering performance.

For users whose workloads resemble Geekbench's mixed test suite, the Intel Core i5-4460T is better. Its 17.2% single-core and 13.2% multi-core wins in Geekbench indicate that the newer Haswell architecture handles diverse computing tasks more efficiently. The 4460T also offers a dramatically lower TDP of 35 W versus 95 W, making it a more appropriate choice for compact or thermally constrained systems.

The i5-2500 wins the majority of recorded benchmarks, 5 out of 7, and holds a higher average score of 1220 versus 1190. However, the 4460T's Geekbench margins are larger than any of the i5-2500's wins. The choice depends entirely on the intended software. The i5-2500 is the rendering workhorse; the i5-4460T is the efficient all-rounder with better integrated graphics. Both are end-of-life products, so platform availability and motherboard compatibility should factor into any decision.