Intel Core i5-2500K vs Intel Core i5-4460S Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4460S and the Intel Core i5-2500K are both four-core, four-thread desktop processors from Intel, but they represent very different eras and design philosophies. The data shows the 4460S, a later Haswell part, wins every single head-to-head benchmark included in the comparison, taking all 7 wins with no victories for the 2500K. However, the 2500K’s unlocked multiplier makes it a distinct option for a specific type of user, provided they are working within the constraints of its older platform. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical—1330 for the 4460S versus 1329 for the 2500K—but this masks the consistent per-test advantage held by the newer chip.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4460S wins in every workload category represented in the data. Its advantages range from a modest 12.3% lead in multi-core rendering tasks to a substantial 27.5% lead in single-core Geekbench performance. This makes the 4460S the clear pick for any application that relies on raw processing speed, whether that is multi-threaded content creation or everyday responsiveness in single-threaded tasks.

The Intel Core i5-2500K, despite losing all seven direct comparisons, still holds a unique positional advantage. Its multiplier is unlocked, a feature the 4460S lacks. While the provided benchmark scores are for stock operation, the 2500K’s overclocking capability can potentially close or even reverse the performance gaps seen in the data. For a builder who is willing to manually tune their system, the 2500K offers a path to performance that the locked 4460S cannot match, even though the stock numbers show the 4460S ahead. The 2500K also runs at a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, but the newer architecture of the 4460S still wins despite its lower clocks.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are separated by an entire generation of Intel processor design. The i5-4460S is built on the Haswell architecture, while the i5-2500K uses Sandy Bridge. This generational gap explains the performance differences, as Haswell introduced significant IPC improvements over its predecessor. The manufacturing process also differs, with the 4460S using a 22 nm node compared to the 2500K’s 32 nm process. This is reflected in the transistor counts and die sizes: the 4460S packs 1,400 million transistors onto a 177 mm² die, while the 2500K has 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die.

The memory controllers are similar in capability—both support DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and offer a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s—but the platforms they connect to are different. The 4460S uses Intel Socket 1150, whereas the 2500K uses Intel Socket 1155. This means they are not interchangeable in a motherboard. PCIe support also differs: the 4460S provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the 2500K is limited to PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on both, but the 4460S features the Intel HD 4600, a more capable iGPU than the 2500K’s Intel HD 3000. Cache configurations are identical in capacity, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The average benchmark scores are essentially tied. The Intel Core i5-4460S has an average score of 1330, while the Intel Core i5-2500K has an average score of 1329, a difference of just 0.1%.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-2500K overclockable?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i5-2500K has an unlocked multiplier, which allows for overclocking. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-4460S has a locked multiplier and does not support this feature.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two CPUs in a single benchmark?

A: The largest gap is in the Geekbench single-core test, where the Intel Core i5-4460S scores 1026 compared to the Intel Core i5-2500K’s 805. This represents a 27.5% advantage for the 4460S.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same type of memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-4460S and the Intel Core i5-2500K support DDR3 memory and feature a dual-channel memory bus. Both also provide 25.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Q: Are these two CPUs compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-4460S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the Intel Core i5-2500K uses Intel Socket 1155. They are not socket-compatible with each other.

Q: How does the i5-4460S perform in multi-core Cinebench R23 compared to the i5-2500K?

A: The i5-4460S scores 3955 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i5-2500K scores 3523. This gives the 4460S a 12.3% lead in that test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specification points, which are listed below. These differences define their compatibility and feature sets.

• Socket: The i5-4460S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-2500K uses Intel Socket 1155.
• Base Clock: The i5-4460S has a base clock of 2.90 GHz, while the i5-2500K has a base clock of 3.30 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The i5-4460S has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the i5-2500K has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.
• TDP: The i5-4460S has a TDP of 65 W, while the i5-2500K has a TDP of 95 W.
• Process Node: The i5-4460S is built on a 22 nm process, while the i5-2500K is built on a 32 nm process.
• Transistors: The i5-4460S has 1,400 million transistors, while the i5-2500K has 1,160 million.
• Die Size: The i5-4460S has a die size of 177 mm², while the i5-2500K has a die size of 216 mm².
• PCIe Support: The i5-4460S supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i5-2500K supports PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: The i5-4460S includes Intel HD 4600, while the i5-2500K includes Intel HD 3000.
• Multiplier Unlocked: The i5-4460S has a locked multiplier, while the i5-2500K has an unlocked multiplier.
• Launch MSRP: The i5-4460S launched at $182, while the i5-2500K launched at $216.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent pattern of victory for the Intel Core i5-4460S across all seven tested workloads. In multi-core Cinebench tests, the 4460S’s lead is steady: it scores 398 versus 354 in R15, a 12.4% advantage, and 1661 versus 1479 in R20, a 12.3% advantage. This trend continues into Cinebench R23, where the 4460S scores 3955 against the 2500K’s 3523, another 12.3% win.

Single-core performance tells a similar story, but with even larger margins in some cases. The 4460S leads by 12.5% in Cinebench R20 single-core with a score of 234 versus 208. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the margin is 12.3%, with the 4460S scoring 558 and the 2500K scoring 497. The most striking result, however, comes from Geekbench. The 4460S’s single-core score of 1026 is a full 27.5% higher than the 2500K’s 805. Even in Geekbench multi-core, where the gap might be expected to narrow, the 4460S maintains a 13% lead, scoring 2750 against 2434.

These numbers indicate that the architectural efficiency of Haswell provides a clear advantage over Sandy Bridge in every measurable way. The 2500K’s higher clock speeds do not compensate for the older design’s lower instructions per clock. The data shows that the 4460S is not just slightly better; it is decisively faster in both synthetic single-thread and multi-thread workloads.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is clear: for any user who will run the processor at stock settings, the Intel Core i5-4460S is the superior choice. It outperforms the i5-2500K in every single test, with wins ranging from 12.3% to 27.5%. Its lower 65 W TDP also makes it a more efficient option for a compact or quiet build, and its support for PCIe Gen 3 is a modern advantage. The i5-4460S is the safer, faster out-of-the-box option.

The i5-2500K, however, still has a distinct role for a specific kind of enthusiast. Its unlocked multiplier is a feature that the 4460S cannot match. The data provided reflects stock speeds, but the 2500K’s overclocking headroom is its saving grace. A user willing to invest time in tuning the system can potentially push the 2500K to performance levels that exceed its stock scores, which might close the gap seen in the benchmarks. For a builder on a legacy Socket 1155 platform who prioritizes manual tuning and overclocking, the 2500K remains a viable, if older, choice. For everyone else, the data points squarely to the 4460S.