Intel Core i5-4460 vs Intel Core i5-4570S Comparison

These two Intel Core i5 processors share the same Haswell architecture, the same 22nm process node, and the same core and thread counts, yet they are differentiated by clock speeds and power targets. The data shows a clear split: the i5-4570S wins the majority of the benchmark comparisons, while the i5-4460 takes a single but significant victory in one multi-core test. This analysis breaks down the raw numbers to help determine which processor fits a specific build.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate that the Intel Core i5-4570S is the superior choice for most workloads, winning 7 out of 8 head-to-head comparisons. Its advantage is consistent but narrow, with margins ranging from 1.5% to 1.7% across all Cinebench tests. This processor should be the default pick for users prioritizing raw CPU performance in rendering, encoding, and single-threaded tasks, especially given its lower 65W TDP compared to the i5-4460's 84W.

However, the Intel Core i5-4460 is not without merit. It wins the Geekbench multi-core test by 3%, a notable outlier given the i5-4570S's wins elsewhere. For users whose primary workload aligns with that specific multi-threaded test metric, the i5-4460 may be the better choice. Additionally, the i5-4460 has a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz, which could benefit sustained workloads that do not trigger turbo boost. The i5-4460 is also listed as end-of-life, while the i5-4570S has no such status, potentially impacting long-term availability.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Haswell architecture, using the same 22nm manufacturing process at Intel's foundry. They share the same transistor count of 1,400 million and a die size of 177 mm². The core configuration is identical: 4 cores and 4 threads, with no Hyper-Threading.

The cache hierarchy is also the same, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. The integrated graphics are identical as well, with both featuring Intel HD 4600. Both processors use the Intel Socket 1150 and support PCIe Gen 3.

The key architectural difference lies in clock speeds. The i5-4570S has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i5-4460 has a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.40 GHz. This means the i5-4570S has a higher maximum frequency, while the i5-4460 has a higher minimum frequency. The i5-4570S also has a significantly lower TDP of 65W versus 84W for the i5-4460, indicating better power efficiency on paper.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4570S is the clear winner in single-threaded performance, which is critical for tasks like gaming, web browsing, and older applications that rely on one core. Its boost clock advantage of 200 MHz translates to a 6.4% victory in Geekbench single-core and a 1.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core.

For multi-threaded workloads, the results are more nuanced. The i5-4570S wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests (R15, R20, R23) by margins of 1.6-1.7%. This suggests that for most rendering and content creation tasks, the i5-4570S's higher boost clock is more impactful than the i5-4460's higher base clock.

The Intel Core i5-4460 wins the Geekbench multi-core test by 3%, a result that contradicts the Cinebench trend. This could indicate that the i5-4460 performs better in certain types of multi-threaded workloads that Geekbench measures, possibly due to its higher base clock sustaining performance under load. For users whose software is more sensitive to sustained all-core operation at a lower frequency, the i5-4460 may offer an advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570S has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-4460 has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz.

Q: Are both processors compatible with the same motherboard socket?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-4570S and the Intel Core i5-4460 use the Intel Socket 1150.

Q: Do these chips have the same amount of cache?

A: Yes, both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a lower power consumption rating?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570S has a TDP of 65W, which is lower than the 84W TDP of the Intel Core i5-4460.

Q: Is the integrated graphics different between the two?

A: No, both processors feature the Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics.

Q: What is the release date of the Intel Core i5-4460?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460 was released in 2014-05-10, while the Intel Core i5-4570S was released earlier in 2013-06-01.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a dominant performance from the Intel Core i5-4570S, but the margins are worth examining closely. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4570S scores 428 against the i5-4460's 421, a 1.7% lead. The single-core test in R15 shows a similar margin, with scores of 60 and 59 respectively. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i5-4570S leads 1787 to 1758 in multi-core (1.6%) and 252 to 248 in single-core (1.6%). The R23 tests continue the trend, with the i5-4570S ahead 4256 to 4188 in multi-core (1.6%) and 600 to 591 in single-core (1.5%).

The most significant single-core win for the i5-4570S comes in Geekbench, where it scores 1083 against the i5-4460's 1018, a substantial 6.4% margin. This is the largest performance gap in any test and highlights the benefit of the i5-4570S's higher boost clock.

The only victory for the Intel Core i5-4460 is in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 3035 against the i5-4570S's 2945, a 3% difference. This result is notable because it reverses the trend seen in all other multi-core tests. The data suggests that the i5-4460's higher base clock of 3.20 GHz may provide an advantage in this specific benchmark workload.

Specification Differences

The primary differences between the two processors are in clock speeds, power consumption, and release timing.

• Base Clock: The Intel Core i5-4460 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, which is 0.30 GHz higher than the i5-4570S's 2.90 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The Intel Core i5-4570S has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, which is 0.20 GHz higher than the i5-4460's 3.40 GHz.
• TDP: The Intel Core i5-4570S has a TDP of 65W, while the Intel Core i5-4460 has a TDP of 84W.
• Memory Bandwidth: The Intel Core i5-4460 lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while this figure is not specified for the i5-4570S.
• PCIe: The Intel Core i5-4460 specifies "Gen 3, 16 Lanes(CPU only)", while the i5-4570S only lists "Gen 3".
• Production Status: The Intel Core i5-4460 is listed as "End-of-life", while the i5-4570S has no such designation.
• Release Date: The Intel Core i5-4570S was released in 2013-06-01, while the Intel Core i5-4460 was released in 2014-05-10.
• Part Number: The Intel Core i5-4570S is part number SR14J, and the Intel Core i5-4460 is part number SR1QK.
• Launch MSRP: The Intel Core i5-4460 has a launch MSRP of $187. No launch MSRP is provided for the i5-4570S.

All other specifications, including architecture, process node, transistors, die size, cache, memory support, integrated graphics, socket, and market segment, are identical between the two.