Intel Core i5-4330M vs Intel Core i7-4600U Comparison

The Verdict

The data presents a clear hierarchy between these two Haswell-era mobile processors. The Intel Core i5-4330M wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, taking all five available tests. Its victory margins are remarkably consistent, ranging from 18.1% to 18.5% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 workloads, in both single-core and multi-core configurations. The Intel Core i7-4600U, despite carrying the higher-tier Core i7 brand name, does not win a single comparative test.

For a user choosing strictly from the data, the i5-4330M is the superior performer for any compute-heavy task. The benchmark results indicate a decisive and uniform advantage in rendering and CPU-bound workloads. However, the i7-4600U's 15-watt TDP, compared to the i5-4330M's 37-watt TDP, makes it the more thermally conservative option. The i5-4330M is for systems where performance is the priority and power draw is a secondary concern. The i7-4600U is for fanless or ultra-thin designs that prioritize low heat generation, accepting a roughly 18% performance penalty. The i5-4330M is the pragmatic pick for sustained productivity; the i7-4600U is the data-backed choice for power-constrained environments.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm Haswell architecture and share the same 118 mm² die size. The foundry is Intel for both, and both integrate Intel HD 5000 graphics. The core counts are identical at 2 cores and 4 threads, and neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Both support DDR3 memory and lack ECC support.

The fundamental architectural distinction lies in their power and packaging targets. The i5-4330M is a 37-watt part designed for the Intel Socket G3, a socketed mobile platform. The i7-4600U is a 15-watt ultra-low-voltage part soldered to the Intel BGA 1168 package, indicating a design for compact, non-upgradeable motherboards. The codenames differ slightly: the i5-4330M is simply "Haswell," while the i7-4600U is designated "Haswell-ULT," reflecting its ultra-low-power optimization.

Transistor counts differ, with the i5-4330M containing 1,400 million transistors versus the i7-4600U's 1,300 million. The L3 cache also varies: the i5-4330M has 3 MB shared, while the i7-4600U has a larger 4 MB shared pool. Both share identical per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes at 64 KB and 256 KB, respectively.

Clock speeds are a major differentiator. The i5-4330M has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i7-4600U operates at a lower 2.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The i7-4600U's higher cache capacity and lower power envelope suggest a design aimed at bursty workloads, while the i5-4330M's higher clocks and higher TDP indicate a sustained-performance focus.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-4330M scores 2727 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i7-4600U scores 2306. The i5-4330M is 18.3% ahead in this test.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-4600U win any benchmark?

A: No. In the head-to-head benchmark data, the i5-4330M wins all five tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The wins tally is 5 for the i5-4330M and 0 for the i7-4600U.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-4330M scores 385 versus the i7-4600U's 325. This represents an 18.5% advantage for the i5-4330M, the largest margin in any head-to-head test.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: Yes. Both are listed under the Haswell architecture and have the same release date of 2013-08-31. The i5-4330M is classified as Core i5 (Haswell), while the i7-4600U is classified as Core i7 (Haswell).

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The i5-4330M has a TDP of 37 watts, whereas the i7-4600U has a TDP of 15 watts. The i7-4600U draws less than half the power of the i5-4330M.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-4600U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i5-4330M has 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields.

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4330M | Intel Core i7-4600U |

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

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 37 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G3 | Intel BGA 1168 |

| Codename | Haswell | Haswell-ULT |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 1,300 million |

| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

Shared specifications include 2 cores, 4 threads, a 22 nm process node, a 118 mm² die size, Intel HD 5000 integrated graphics, DDR3 memory support, no ECC support, a locked multiplier, and the same release date. The average benchmark scores are close, with the i5-4330M at 938 and the i7-4600U at 931, but the individual test results show a wide gap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is unambiguous. The i5-4330M leads in every single test, and the margins are tightly clustered.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4330M scores 274 against the i7-4600U's 232. This is an 18.1% lead. Moving to the newer Cinebench R20 multi-core test, the i5-4330M scores 1145 while the i7-4600U scores 968, an 18.3% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the scores are 2727 and 2306 respectively, again an 18.3% lead for the i5-4330M.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-4330M posts 161 versus the i7-4600U's 136, an 18.4% win. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the i5-4330M at 385 and the i7-4600U at 325, which is an 18.5% difference — the largest margin in the entire dataset.

The consistency of these deltas is notable. Across all five tests, the i5-4330M's advantage fluctuates by only 0.4 percentage points, from 18.1% to 18.5%. This suggests the performance gap is systematic, likely driven by the i5-4330M's higher clock speeds and higher power budget, rather than workload-specific factors. The i7-4600U's larger 4 MB L3 cache does not compensate for its lower clocks in any of these benchmarks.

The i7-4600U does have additional Geekbench scores in its benchmark list — 1664 multi-core and 889 single-core — but the i5-4330M has no corresponding Geekbench entries in the head-to-head table, so no direct comparison is possible from the provided data.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4330M wins in every measurable performance category. Its advantages span both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. In multi-core rendering tasks, such as Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the i5-4330M is consistently 18.1% to 18.3% faster. This indicates superior sustained throughput for applications like video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation. In single-core workloads, which are critical for day-to-day responsiveness in applications like web browsing, office suites, and legacy software, the i5-4330M holds an 18.4% to 18.5% edge. This is the i5-4330M's domain: any task where raw execution speed matters, it is the clear winner.

The i7-4600U's only advantage is in power consumption. Its 15-watt TDP is less than half of the i5-4330M's 37 watts. For a system designer, this opens the door to thinner chassis, smaller batteries, and passive cooling solutions. The benchmark data shows the cost of that efficiency: a nearly uniform 18% performance deficit. The i7-4600U also has a larger 4 MB L3 cache versus the i5-4330M's 3 MB, which could provide a minor benefit in cache-sensitive workloads, but the benchmark results do not show any test where this translates into a win. The i7-4600U is the appropriate choice for a fanless ultrabook or a tablet-like device where thermal headroom is the binding constraint. The i5-4330M is the choice for a traditional laptop where performance is the primary goal and a 37-watt thermal solution is acceptable.