Intel Core i5-4258U vs Intel Core i7-860 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-860 wins every recorded single-core test. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 152 against 131 for the i5-4258U, a 13.8% advantage. The gap is identical in Cinebench R23 single-core: 363 versus 312, also 14% in favor of the i7-860.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core performance?

A: The i7-860 leads across all multi-core benchmarks. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 259 versus 222 (14.3% ahead). The margin narrows slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core: 1081 versus 929, a 14.1% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 2574 versus 2213, a 14% gap.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The i7-860 has 4 cores and 8 threads, double the i5-4258U's 2 cores and 4 threads. This explains why the i7-860 consistently wins multi-threaded tests, though its per-core advantage in single-threaded tests is also notable.

Q: What is the difference in process node and die size?

A: The i5-4258U is built on Intel's 22 nm process with a die size of 118 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The i7-860 uses the older 45 nm node, has a much larger die at 296 mm², but contains fewer transistors at 774 million.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the i5-4258U includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 5100. The i7-860 has no integrated graphics unit, which is typical for older desktop parts that expected a discrete GPU.

Q: What are the thermal design power (TDP) ratings?

A: The i5-4258U is rated at 28 W, suited for mobile systems. The i7-860 draws 95 W, reflecting its desktop orientation and higher core count. The i7-860 also has a higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and boost clock of 3.47 GHz versus 2.40 GHz and 2.90 GHz for the i5-4258U.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and design philosophies. The i5-4258U uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process, while the i7-860 relies on the Nehalem architecture on a 45 nm node. Haswell is a newer microarchitecture with improved instruction handling and power efficiency, but the i5-4258U is a low-power mobile part. The i7-860, codenamed Lynnfield, targets desktop performance and was designed when multi-core scaling was a primary focus.

The core configuration is the most striking difference. The i5-4258U has 2 physical cores with Hyper-Threading, yielding 4 threads. The i7-860 has 4 physical cores with Hyper-Threading, yielding 8 threads. This doubling of resources gives the i7-860 a structural advantage in any workload that scales with thread count. The i7-860 also operates at higher clocks: 2.80 GHz base and 3.47 GHz boost, compared to 2.40 GHz base and 2.90 GHz boost for the i5-4258U.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is 3 MB on the i5-4258U versus 8 MB on the i7-860. The larger L3 cache on the i7-860 can hold more working data, reducing memory traffic. The i5-4258U compensates with a smaller die (118 mm² versus 296 mm²) and a much lower transistor count advantage in the opposite direction: it packs 1,400 million transistors versus 774 million on the i7-860, thanks to the denser 22 nm process.

Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the i7-860 explicitly lists dual-channel memory support. The i5-4258U does not specify memory bus width in the database. The i7-860 also has PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4258U has no PCIe specification listed. The i5-4258U includes Intel HD 5100 integrated graphics; the i7-860 has none. Socket types differ: the i5-4258U uses Intel BGA 1168 (soldered), while the i7-860 uses Intel Socket 1156 (LGA). The i7-860 is marked end-of-life, while the i5-4258U has no production status recorded.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records five direct comparisons, and the i7-860 wins all five. The margins are remarkably consistent, hovering around 14% in every test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-860 scores 259 against the i5-4258U's 222, a 14.3% lead. This is the largest relative gap in the dataset. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1081 versus 929, a 14.1% difference. Single-core results are nearly identical in relative terms: Cinebench R20 single-core gives 152 versus 131 (13.8% ahead), and Cinebench R23 single-core gives 363 versus 312 (14% ahead). Cinebench R23 multi-core also lands at 14%: 2574 versus 2213.

The consistency of these deltas suggests the i7-860's advantage is not workload-specific. It wins by roughly the same percentage whether the test is single-threaded or multi-threaded. This is notable because the i7-860 has twice the cores, yet its single-core performance is also superior. The higher clock speeds (2.80/3.47 GHz versus 2.40/2.90 GHz) likely explain the single-thread lead, while the core count explains the multi-thread lead. Together, they produce a uniform performance margin across the board.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the i5-4258U has an average score of 902 across all tests, while the i7-860 averages 886. This is counterintuitive given the head-to-head results. The explanation lies in the benchmark sets: the i5-4258U includes Geekbench scores (1664 multi-core, 844 single-core) which are not present for the i7-860. These Geekbench numbers are comparatively high, pulling up the i5-4258U's average. The head-to-head comparisons, which use identical test suites, are the more reliable indicator of relative performance.

In terms of percentiles, both processors sit at the 24th percentile among all CPUs in the database. This means they are statistically equivalent in overall standing, despite the i7-860's consistent wins in the shared benchmarks. The nearest rivals for the i5-4258U include the Intel Core i5-5350U (average score 903, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i7-940 (903, -0.2%), the AMD A10-7860K (904, -0.2%), and the Intel Core i3-4330T (908, -0.7%). For the i7-860, the nearest rivals are the AMD PRO A8-8650B (887, -0.1%), the Intel Pentium G4560T (887, -0.1%), the Intel Xeon X5550 (888, -0.2%), and the Intel Core i3-6100 (888, -0.3%). These clusters indicate that both processors occupy a similar performance tier, even though the i7-860 dominates the direct comparison.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-860 is the faster processor in every benchmark shared by both. It wins all five head-to-head tests with a consistent margin of roughly 14%. Its advantages include double the cores, double the threads, higher base and boost clocks, and a larger L3 cache. For any user who prioritizes raw computational performance, the i7-860 is the clear choice based on the recorded measurements.

The Intel Core i5-4258U, however, is not without merit. It operates at a fraction of the power (28 W versus 95 W TDP), includes integrated graphics, and uses a much newer 22 nm process. Its Geekbench scores (1664 multi-core, 844 single-core) are not matched by the i7-860 in the database, though direct comparisons are unavailable. The i5-4258U also has a higher transistor count (1,400 million versus 774 million), indicating a more complex modern design despite having fewer cores.

The i7-860 is a desktop part from 2009, now end-of-life, while the i5-4258U is a mobile part from 2013. Their intended use cases are different: the i7-860 demands a cooling solution capable of 95 W, while the i5-4258U is designed for compact, power-constrained laptops. The i7-860's higher clocks and core count make it the performance winner, but the i5-4258U offers features the i7-860 lacks entirely, such as integrated graphics and a much lower thermal envelope.

For users who need maximum compute throughput, the i7-860 wins decisively. For users who need a low-power mobile processor with built-in graphics, the i5-4258U is the only option between the two. The verdict depends on the platform, not just the benchmarks.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4258U | Intel Core i7-860 |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.90 GHz | 3.47 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1168 | Intel Socket 1156 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Nehalem |

| Codename | Haswell | Lynnfield |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 45 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 774 million |

| Die Size | 118 mm² | 296 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Not specified | Dual-channel |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 5100 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Not specified | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2013-06-03 | 2009-09-07 |

| Part Number | SR18A | SLBJJ |

Both processors share L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 at 256 KB per core, support DDR3 memory, have ECC disabled, and have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-860 wins in every measured benchmark category. It takes all five head-to-head tests, including both single-core and multi-core variants of Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its victories range from 13.8% (Cinebench R20 single-core) to 14.3% (Cinebench R15 multi-core). The i7-860's 8 MB L3 cache and 4-core/8-thread configuration make it the better choice for multi-threaded rendering, compilation, or any software that can use more than 4 threads. Its higher clock speeds also give it an edge in single-threaded tasks like older games or lightly threaded applications.

The i5-4258U wins in areas not covered by the head-to-head benchmarks. Its integrated Intel HD 5100 graphics means it can output video without a discrete GPU, making it suitable for basic desktop or laptop use where a graphics card is not installed. Its 28 W TDP allows for fanless or low-noise designs in thin laptops. The 22 nm process and 1,400 million transistors indicate a more power-efficient design. The Geekbench scores (1664 multi-core, 844 single-core) are recorded for the i5-4258U but absent for the i7-860, so in those tests the i5-4258U has no direct competition in the database.

The i5-4258U also has a lower average benchmark score (902 versus 886), but this is skewed by the inclusion of Geekbench tests. In the shared Cinebench suite, the i7-860 is uniformly faster. The i5-4258U is the choice for mobile platforms, low power consumption, and integrated graphics. The i7-860 is the choice for raw compute performance, especially in multi-threaded workloads. Both sit at the 24th percentile overall, but the i7-860 does so with a more consistent performance profile across the tests it shares.