Intel Core i5-4460 vs Intel Core i5-7300HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear, consistent picture: the Intel Core i5-7300HQ wins every single recorded test against the Intel Core i5-4460. The database records 8 head-to-head benchmark wins for the i5-7300HQ and zero for the i5-4460. The margins vary from a negligible 0.3% to a more noticeable 3.4%, but the direction is uniform across all Cinebench and Geekbench versions.

The largest advantage appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the 7300HQ scores 61 against the 4460's 59, a 3.4% lead. This is closely followed by Geekbench single-core, with the 7300HQ at 1052 versus 1018, a 3.3% advantage. In multi-core workloads, the lead is slightly smaller but still consistent. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 434 to 421 result, a 3.1% edge for the 7300HQ. The R20 and R23 multi-core tests mirror this pattern, yielding 1812 versus 1758 and 4316 versus 4188 respectively, both at a 3.1% delta.

The one test that separates the two the least is Geekbench multicore. There, the 7300HQ scores 3044 and the 4460 scores 3035, a delta of just 0.3%. This suggests that in certain lightly threaded or memory-latency-sensitive scenarios, the performance gap can nearly vanish. But even that single outlier still favors the newer mobile chip.

Single-core performance is where the 7300HQ's architectural advantage shines most. The R15 single result at 3.4% is the highest delta in the entire comparison. The R20 single-core test shows a 2.8% lead, and R23 single shows a 3.0% lead. Averaging the single-core deltas across all three Cinebench versions gives roughly a 3.1% consistent gain. The Geekbench single-core score of 1052 versus 1018 reinforces that trend.

The i5-4460 does not win a single benchmark in this comparison. Its best showing is the Geekbench multicore result, where it comes within 0.3% of the 7300HQ. That is its only measure of competitiveness. In every other test, the deficit ranges from a full 2.8% to 3.4%. The data does not suggest any workload reversal, the 7300HQ is the faster part across the board.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies within Intel's lineup. The i5-7300HQ is built on the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-H variant, fabricated on a 14 nm process node. The i5-4460 is a Haswell part, built on a 22 nm process. The die size tells the story of process maturity: the 7300HQ measures 126 mm², while the 4460 is significantly larger at 177 mm². The 4460 also carries a transistor count of 1,400 million, a figure not listed for the 7300HQ.

Both are quad-core, quad-thread parts with identical per-core L1 and L2 caches: 64 KB and 256 KB respectively. The shared L3 cache is also equal at 6 MB. So the raw core and cache topology is the same. The difference lies in how those cores are implemented and clocked.

The base clock rates differ substantially. The i5-4460 has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz, while the i5-7300HQ sits at 2.50 GHz. The boost behavior flips this: the 7300HQ boosts to 3.50 GHz, while the 4460 only reaches 3.40 GHz. This gives the 7300HQ a higher peak frequency, which explains its consistent single-core lead. The lower base clock, however, is likely a product of the mobile market segment and thermal design constraints.

Thermal and power envelopes are a major divider. The i5-7300HQ has a TDP of 45 W, while the i5-4460 is rated at 84 W. This is a massive difference, more than 50% lower power draw for the newer mobile part. The socket and market segment reflect this: the 7300HQ uses Intel BGA 1440 and is a mobile processor, while the 4460 uses Intel Socket 1150 and is a desktop part.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 7300HQ features Intel HD Graphics 630, whereas the 4460 carries Intel HD 4600. Memory support is also narrower on the older part: the 4460 supports only DDR3, with a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The 7300HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4, and its bandwidth is not listed, but the dual-channel memory bus is identical on both. PCIe connectivity is the same: Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The release dates are far apart. The 4460 was released in May 2014, while the 7300HQ arrived in January 2017. Both are now end-of-life, and both have a locked multiplier. The generation labels differ, Kaby Lake-H versus Haswell, but the core count and thread count remain identical.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-7300HQ is the faster processor in every recorded test. If the decision is purely about performance, the 7300HQ wins outright. It holds an 8-0 record in head-to-head comparisons with the i5-4460, with margins ranging from 0.3% to 3.4%. The single-core advantage is the most compelling, averaging around 3% across tests, which translates to snappier everyday responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks.

The i5-4460 is not without its own arguments, but they are not performance arguments. Its only close result is Geekbench multicore, where it trails by just 0.3%. For any workload that scales across all four cores in Cinebench, the 7300HQ maintains a steady 3.1% lead. The 4460 cannot claim a single win in the recorded data.

The practical recommendation is straightforward: if you are choosing between these two, the i5-7300HQ is the faster part. However, the context of the platform matters. The 7300HQ is a mobile chip soldered to a BGA 1440 socket, meaning it is not a drop-in upgrade for an existing socket 1150 desktop board. The 4460, despite its higher TDP, is a desktop part. The data does not include any upgrade-path or platform compatibility comparisons, only the raw CPU benchmarks. From the measured scores alone, the 7300HQ is the clear winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-7300HQ boosts to 3.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-4460 boosts to 3.40 GHz.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance margin in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest delta is 3.4%, achieved by the 7300HQ in the Cinebench R15 single-core test.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-7300HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-4460 only supports DDR3.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the i5-4460 wins?

A: No, the i5-4460 wins 0 out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks. The closest result is Geekbench multicore where it trails by 0.3%.

Q: Which CPU has a lower TDP?

A: The i5-7300HQ has a TDP of 45 W, while the i5-4460 has a TDP of 84 W.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows no scenario where the i5-4460 takes a winning position. Every single benchmark, whether multi-core or single-core, Cinebench or Geekbench, is won by the i5-7300HQ. The 4460's best case is Geekbench multicore, where the difference is only 0.3%, a virtual tie in practical terms. That means for workloads that heavily depend on memory bandwidth and general integer arithmetic, the two parts will feel nearly identical.

The i5-7300HQ wins are concentrated in the Cinebench rendering workloads, where its boost clock advantage and newer architecture show. In single-core rendering, it holds a 3.4% lead in R15, 2.8% in R20, and 3.0% in R23. For multi-core rendering, the lead is consistently 3.1%. This makes the 7300HQ the better choice for CPU-bound creative work that relies on instruction-level efficiency and higher boost clocks.

The i5-4460's only talking point is the Geekbench multicore score, where it is nearly level. It also has a higher base clock, 3.20 GHz against 2.50 GHz, which could help in scenarios where the CPU cannot sustain a boost for long periods, though no sustained-load benchmark in the pack confirms this. In the recorded data, the 7300HQ wins every category.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specification fields, with the process node, TDP, and socket being the most impactful.

• Base Clock: 2.50 GHz (7300HQ) vs 3.20 GHz (4460)
• Boost Clock: 3.50 GHz (7300HQ) vs 3.40 GHz (4460)
• TDP: 45 W (7300HQ) vs 84 W (4460)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1440 (7300HQ) vs Intel Socket 1150 (4460)
• Process Node: 14 nm (7300HQ) vs 22 nm (4460)
• Die Size: 126 mm² (7300HQ) vs 177 mm² (4460)
• Transistors: Not listed (7300HQ) vs 1,400 million (4460)
• Memory Support: DDR3, DDR4 (7300HQ) vs DDR3 (4460)
• Integrated Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 630 (7300HQ) vs Intel HD 4600 (4460)
• Market Segment: Mobile (7300HQ) vs Desktop (4460)
• Release Date: 2017-01-02 (7300HQ) vs 2014-05-10 (4460)
• Launch MSRP: $250 (7300HQ) vs $187 (4460)

The L1 and L2 cache sizes are identical, as is the shared 6 MB L3 cache. Both use dual-channel memory and Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes. Neither has ECC memory support, and both have a locked multiplier. The i5-7300HQ has a listed part number of SR32S, while the i5-4460 is SR1QK.