Intel Core i5-4258U vs Intel Pentium G4600T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4258U and Intel Pentium G4600T are both dual-core, four-thread processors, but they target completely different market segments: one is a mobile chip from 2013, the other a desktop chip from 2017. The benchmark data shows a clear pattern: the Pentium G4600T wins every single head-to-head test, but the i5-4258U brings its own advantages in platform characteristics. The choice between them depends entirely on whether you need a low-power mobile solution or a faster desktop part, as the performance gap is consistent but not overwhelming.

Where Each One Wins

The Pentium G4600T wins every benchmark recorded in the head-to-head comparison, making it the outright performance leader. The data shows a clean sweep: the Pentium G4600T wins all five Cinebench tests, with deltas ranging from -14.9% to -15.3% in favor of the Pentium over the i5-4258U. This means in any CPU-bound workload that scales with raw compute throughput, the Pentium G4600T is the better choice. For tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, or batch photo processing, the Pentium G4600T provides a measurable advantage that will translate into faster completion times.

The i5-4258U, despite losing all benchmarks, still has a compelling use case. Its 28W TDP versus the Pentium's 35W TDP makes it the more power-efficient option for compact or thermally constrained systems. The i5-4258U is a mobile processor, designed for laptops and ultrabooks, while the Pentium G4600T is a desktop part. If you are building a small form factor PC with limited cooling, or if you need a processor for a fanless or near-silent setup, the i5-4258U's lower power draw is a genuine advantage. The data shows both chips sit at the 24th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are entry-level performers, but the Pentium does the same job faster.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips spans three years and two process nodes. The i5-4258U is built on Intel's Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, while the Pentium G4600T uses the newer Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm node. This process shrink is significant: the Pentium G4600T achieves higher performance while also benefiting from architectural improvements in instruction handling and power management. The i5-4258U has a transistor count of 1,400 million on a die size of 118 mm², while the Pentium G4600T's transistor count and die size are not listed in the data, but the 14 nm node allows for denser packing.

The memory support differs substantially. The i5-4258U supports DDR3 memory, while the Pentium G4600T supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory bus and a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. This is a major platform-level difference: the Pentium G4600T can take advantage of faster DDR4 memory, which benefits memory-sensitive workloads. The integrated graphics also differ, with the i5-4258U featuring Intel HD 5100 and the Pentium G4600T featuring Intel HD 630. The HD 630 is a newer generation iGPU, which typically offers better media playback and encoding support.

The sockets are incompatible: the i5-4258U uses Intel BGA 1168, which is soldered to the motherboard, while the Pentium G4600T uses Intel Socket 1151, a standard desktop socket. This means the i5-4258U is not upgradeable or replaceable, while the Pentium G4600T can be swapped out for a compatible CPU. The Pentium G4600T also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4258U has no PCIe information listed. The production status also differs, with the i5-4258U having no listed status and the Pentium G4600T marked as Active.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides a comprehensive look at both multi-core and single-core performance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Pentium G4600T scores 262 against the i5-4258U's 222, a delta of -15.3% in favor of the Pentium. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Pentium scores 1092 versus 929, a -14.9% delta. The single-core tests show the same trend: in Cinebench R20 single-core, the Pentium scores 154 versus 131, again a -14.9% delta, and in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Pentium scores 367 versus 312, a -15% delta.

The most modern test, Cinebench R23 multi-core, shows the Pentium G4600T scoring 2602 versus the i5-4258U's 2213, a -15% delta. This consistent delta across all tests, hovering around -15%, indicates that the Pentium G4600T has a roughly 15% performance advantage in CPU-bound workloads. The i5-4258U's boost clock of 2.90 GHz helps it, but the Pentium's higher base clock of 3.00 GHz with no boost clock listed means it runs at a flat 3.00 GHz across all cores. The Pentium's newer architecture and faster memory support likely contribute to this consistent edge.

The i5-4258U's Geekbench scores are not part of the head-to-head comparison, but the data shows it scores 1664 in Geekbench multi-core and 844 in single-core. The Pentium G4600T does not have Geekbench scores listed in the head-to-head, so direct comparison on that test is not possible from this data. However, the Cinebench results are unambiguous: the Pentium G4600T is the faster processor in every recorded test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications, and these differences explain the performance gap. The base clock is a major difference: the i5-4258U has a base clock of 2.40 GHz with a boost clock of 2.90 GHz, while the Pentium G4600T has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and no boost clock. This means the Pentium runs at a higher frequency at all times, while the i5-4258U only reaches its maximum frequency under boost conditions. The TDP also differs: the i5-4258U is rated at 28W, while the Pentium G4600T is rated at 35W.

The process node is another difference, with the i5-4258U on 22 nm and the Pentium G4600T on 14 nm. The memory support differs, with the i5-4258U supporting DDR3 and the Pentium G4600T supporting DDR4. The Pentium G4600T also lists a dual-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the i5-4258U has no memory bus or bandwidth listed. The sockets are different, as are the integrated graphics: Intel HD 5100 for the i5-4258U and Intel HD 630 for the Pentium G4600T. The release dates are also different, with the i5-4258U released in June 2013 and the Pentium G4600T released in January 2017.

FAQ

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

A: The Pentium G4600T wins all multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 2602 versus the i5-4258U's 2213, a -15% delta in favor of the Pentium. This pattern holds across R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: Is the i5-4258U more power efficient?

A: Yes, the i5-4258U has a TDP of 28W, which is lower than the Pentium G4600T's 35W TDP. This makes the i5-4258U a better choice for thermally constrained or battery-powered systems.

Q: Can I use the same motherboard for both processors?

A: No. The i5-4258U uses Intel BGA 1168, which is a soldered socket, while the Pentium G4600T uses Intel Socket 1151. These are physically incompatible platforms.

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Pentium G4600T has better single-core performance. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 367 versus the i5-4258U's 312, a -15% delta. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the scores are 154 versus 131, also -15%.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The i5-4258U supports DDR3 memory, while the Pentium G4600T supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel support and a listed bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Are these processors comparable in overall performance ranking?

A: Both processors sit at the 24th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-4258U has an average benchmark score of 902, while the Pentium G4600T has an average benchmark score of 895.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Pentium G4600T is the faster processor. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, with a consistent performance advantage of roughly 15% across both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Pentium's higher base clock of 3.00 GHz, newer 14 nm Kaby Lake architecture, and support for faster DDR4 memory all contribute to this result. If you are building a desktop system and want the best CPU performance from these two options, the Pentium G4600T is the only rational choice. The fact that it is also marked as Active in production status, while the i5-4258U has no listed status, suggests the Pentium is still a viable purchase today.

The i5-4258U's case rests entirely on its platform characteristics. Its 28W TDP is lower than the Pentium's 35W, making it more suitable for laptops, ultrabooks, or compact builds where power draw and heat output are critical. Its BGA 1168 socket means it is soldered to the motherboard, which is typical for mobile designs. The i5-4258U also has a boost clock of 2.90 GHz, which helps it close the gap in burst workloads, but the data shows it still loses every benchmark. For a user who needs a mobile processor with integrated graphics and low power consumption, the i5-4258U is the appropriate choice, but it will sacrifice roughly 15% performance compared to the Pentium G4600T. For anyone building a desktop, the Pentium G4600T is the superior processor in every measurable way.