Intel Core i5-3470S vs Intel Core i7-4600M Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3470S and Intel Core i7-4600M present a fascinating study in architectural trade-offs, pitting a desktop quad-core from the Ivy Bridge generation against a mobile dual-core from the newer Haswell generation. Despite their similar 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost clocks, the data reveals a dramatic split in their performance profiles. The i5-3470S dominates in multi-threaded and even single-threaded Cinebench tests, while the i7-4600M counters with significant wins in Geekbench, suggesting that the two processors are optimized for fundamentally different workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i7-4600M has 2 cores. Both processors support 4 threads through Hyper-Threading on the i7 and native 4 threads on the i5.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in average benchmark scores?

A: The average benchmark score for the i5-3470S is 1095, which is nearly identical to the i7-4600M's score of 1093. The deltaPct between them is a mere 0.2%, indicating they are effectively tied in overall aggregate performance.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The i5-3470S features Intel HD 2500 graphics, while the i7-4600M is equipped with the more advanced Intel HD 4600. The i7-4600M also has a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, a figure not provided for the i5.

Q: Are these processors from the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both are built on Intel's 22 nm process node. However, the i5-3470S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, while the i7-4600M uses the newer Haswell architecture.

Q: What are the intended market segments for these chips?

A: The i5-3470S is a Desktop processor using the Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-4600M is a Mobile processor using the Intel Socket G3. The i7-4600M also carries a launch MSRP of $346.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i5-3470S has a shared 6 MB L3 cache, which is 50% larger than the 4 MB shared L3 cache found on the i7-4600M.

Architecture Differences

The most fundamental architectural split lies in the core count and the underlying design philosophy. The i5-3470S is a quad-core part built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, designed to provide desktop-grade multi-tasking throughput. In contrast, the i7-4600M is a dual-core part with Hyper-Threading, based on the Haswell architecture, which is optimized for power efficiency in mobile form factors, as evidenced by its 37W TDP versus the i5's 65W TDP.

Both processors share the same 22 nm process node and are manufactured by Intel, but they diverge on cache hierarchy. The i5-3470S offers a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the i7-4600M is limited to 4 MB. The i7 does have a slight edge in die size efficiency at 131 mm², compared to the i5's 133 mm², and the i7's 960 million transistor count is explicitly documented, while the i5's is not listed in the data.

The integrated graphics differ significantly, with the i5-3470S using the older Intel HD 2500 and the i7-4600M employing the Intel HD 4600. While both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, the i7-4600M lists a specific memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, a specification absent for the i5. Both CPUs support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear division of labor. For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded performance, the i5-3470S is the superior choice. It decisively wins all Cinebench multicore tests, with leads of 35.6% in R15, 35.8% in R20, and 35.8% in R23. It also wins the Cinebench single-core tests with margins exceeding 36%. The i7-4600M is the pick for scenarios that favor its newer architecture, specifically in Geekbench, where it leads by 10.6% in multicore and a substantial 41.2% in single-core.

Given the i5-3470S's dominance in the majority of benchmarks (5 wins versus 2 for the i7), the data suggests it is the more capable overall processor for compute-heavy tasks. The i7-4600M's wins in Geekbench, however, should not be dismissed; they indicate that the Haswell architecture offers better performance in specific legacy or differently-coded workloads. The i7-4600M, with its 37W TDP, is also the clear choice for mobile applications where power consumption is a critical factor.

Specification Differences

The two processors are differentiated by several key specifications. The core count differs, with the i5-3470S having 4 cores and the i7-4600M having 2 cores. The i5-3470S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture and the Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-4600M uses the Haswell architecture and the Intel Socket G3. Their market segments are Desktop and Mobile, respectively, and the i7-4600M is marked as End-of-life, while the i5's production status is not specified.

The TDP is a major divider, with the i5-3470S rated at 65W and the i7-4600M at 37W. The L3 cache is also different, at 6 MB for the i5 and 4 MB for the i7. The integrated graphics differ, with the i5-3470S using Intel HD 2500 and the i7-4600M using Intel HD 4600. The i7-4600M is the only one with a documented transistor count (960 million) and memory bandwidth (25.6 GB/s). Finally, the i7-4600M has a launch MSRP of $346, while the i5-3470S has no listed MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results tell a story of two different performance philosophies. The i5-3470S's quad-core design gives it a massive advantage in Cinebench tests. In the cinebench R15 multicore test, the i5 scores 373 against the i7's 275, a 35.6% margin. This trend continues in R20 multicore, where the i5's score of 1558 eclipses the i7's 1147 by 35.8%. The R23 multicore test shows a similar 35.8% lead, with scores of 3711 for the i5 and 2732 for the i7.

Surprisingly, the i5-3470S also wins the Cinebench single-core tests. In R20 single-core, the i5 scores 220 versus the i7's 161, a 36.6% win. The R23 single-core test shows a 36.1% lead (524 vs 385). This suggests that the older Ivy Bridge architecture, despite its age, delivers superior per-core performance in these specific rendering workloads.

The tables turn dramatically in Geekbench. The i7-4600M scores 1930 in the multicore test, beating the i5's 1726 by 10.6%. The single-core Geekbench result is even more stark, with the i7 scoring 1018 against the i5's 599, a 41.2% advantage. This indicates that the Haswell architecture has significant strengths in the types of integer and floating-point operations that Geekbench measures, which may be more representative of everyday desktop and productivity tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-3470S is the definitive winner in the Cinebench suite, which is a proxy for 3D rendering and content creation workloads. Its 4 physical cores provide a clear advantage in multi-threaded rendering, and its single-core performance in Cinebench is also superior. If the primary use case involves video rendering, 3D modeling, or any application that relies heavily on Cinebench-like workloads, the data shows the i5-3470S is the stronger performer by a significant margin.

The i7-4600M wins decisively in Geekbench, which is a more general-purpose benchmark that measures a wider range of tasks, including image processing, encryption, and physics simulations. Its 41.2% lead in single-core Geekbench suggests that it offers snappier performance for tasks that rely on single-threaded responsiveness, such as web browsing, office applications, and light coding. The i7's 10.6% lead in Geekbench multicore also indicates it can handle general multi-threaded workloads effectively, despite having fewer physical cores.

Furthermore, the i7-4600M's much lower 37W TDP makes it the clear choice for mobile devices, where battery life and thermal management are paramount. The i5-3470S's 65W TDP and Desktop socket make it unsuitable for such applications. The choice ultimately depends on whether the user's priority is raw rendering performance (i5-3470S) or a balance of general-purpose speed and power efficiency (i7-4600M).