Intel Core i5-4460 vs Intel Core i7-2700K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-2700K and Intel Core i5-4460 represent two distinct generations of desktop computing, separated by a significant shift in process technology and architectural design. The data shows a fascinating split: the older i7-2700K dominates in Cinebench render tests, while the newer i5-4460 takes a commanding lead in Geekbench workloads. This analysis examines the benchmark records to determine which processor excels in specific scenarios and what the underlying hardware differences reveal.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i7-2700K wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-4460 wins only 2. In every Cinebench test (R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core variants), the i7-2700K emerges victorious with a consistent delta of approximately 15.3% to 15.4% over the i5-4460.

Q: How large is the Geekbench performance gap between the two?

A: The i5-4460 leads by substantial margins in Geekbench tests. In multi-core, it scores 3035 against the i7-2700K’s 2294, a delta of -24.4% (meaning the i7-2700K is 24.4% behind). The single-core gap is even larger: the i5-4460 scores 1018 versus 672, putting the i7-2700K 34% behind.

Q: What are their respective average benchmark scores?

A: The i7-2700K has an average benchmark score of 1419, while the i5-4460 sits nearly identical at 1415. Both processors occupy the 37th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are statistically equivalent in overall aggregate performance despite their divergent workload-specific results.

Q: Which processor has more threads available?

A: The Intel Core i7-2700K supports 8 threads across its 4 cores, whereas the Intel Core i5-4460 has 4 threads across 4 cores. This hyper-threading advantage likely contributes significantly to the i7-2700K’s multi-core Cinebench wins.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i7-2700K and the Intel Core i5-4460 lack ECC memory support. They each support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, though the i5-4460 offers higher memory bandwidth at 25.6 GB/s compared to the i7-2700K’s 21.3 GB/s.

Q: What is the release timeframe difference?

A: The i7-2700K was released on 2011-10-23, while the i5-4460 came later on 2014-05-10. The i5-4460 benefits from the newer 22-nanometer Haswell architecture, whereas the i7-2700K uses the older 32-nanometer Sandy Bridge design.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial, reflecting three years of Intel development. The i7-2700K is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32-nanometer process node, while the i5-4460 employs the Haswell architecture on a smaller 22-nanometer node. This process shrink allowed the i5-4460 to pack 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die, compared to the i7-2700K’s 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die.

Both processors feature 4 physical cores, but the i7-2700K doubles thread count to 8 via Hyper-Threading, while the i5-4460 remains at 4 threads. Cache allocations differ accordingly: each core gets 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 in both chips, but the i7-2700K carries 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus the i5-4460’s 6 MB. The i7-2700K compensates for its older architecture with higher clock speeds, running at 3.50 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost, compared to the i5-4460’s 3.20 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost.

Platform support marks another key divergence. The i7-2700K uses Intel Socket 1155 with PCIe Gen 2 (16 lanes from the CPU), while the i5-4460 uses Intel Socket 1150 with PCIe Gen 3 (also 16 lanes from the CPU). Memory bandwidth favors the newer chip at 25.6 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s. The integrated graphics also differ: Intel HD 3000 on the i7-2700K versus Intel HD 4600 on the i5-4460. Power consumption leans toward the i5-4460 at 84 W TDP, under the i7-2700K’s 95 W. The i7-2700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, whereas the i5-4460 is locked. Both chips share DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory buses, and desktop market positioning.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a remarkable consistency within each test suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-2700K scores 486 against the i5-4460’s 421, a 15.4% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a nearly identical pattern: 68 versus 59, a 15.3% lead. This consistency persists through Cinebench R20, where the i7-2700K achieves 2029 multi-core and 286 single-core, versus 1758 and 248 for the i5-4460, both showing 15.4% and 15.3% deltas respectively.

Cinebench R23 continues the trend. The i7-2700K posts 4833 multi-core and 682 single-core, while the i5-4460 manages 4188 and 591. Again, the delta sits at 15.4% for both metrics. These uniform margins suggest the i7-2700K’s advantage stems from its thread count and higher clock speeds, which translate directly into Cinebench’s render workload scaling.

Geekbench tells a completely different story. The i5-4460 dominates with a multi-core score of 3035 versus the i7-2700K’s 2294, a -24.4% delta. The single-core gap widens further: 1018 versus 672, a -34% delta. This dramatic reversal indicates that Geekbench favors the Haswell architecture’s improved instruction handling and per-core efficiency over raw clock speed and thread count. The i5-4460’s newer 22-nanometer process and architectural refinements yield substantially higher IPC (instructions per clock), which Geekbench’s mixed workload suite rewards heavily.

Notably, the i7-2700K’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3720QM (avg score 1421, delta -0.1%) and Intel Xeon Bronze 3106 (avg score 1422, delta -0.2%), placing it in a tight performance cluster. The i5-4460’s rivals include AMD Ryzen Embedded R2314 and AMD Ryzen 7 2700U, both at 1415 with 0% delta, plus the Intel Core i7-3840QM at 1416 (-0.1%). This places both processors within 0.5% of each other in aggregate terms.

The Verdict

The data divides these CPUs cleanly by workload type. For Cinebench-based rendering tasks, the Intel Core i7-2700K is the clear choice, winning every test by roughly 15.3% to 15.4%. Its 8 threads and higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz provide a decisive edge in multi-threaded render workloads, and the advantage extends to single-threaded Cinebench performance as well. Users running rendering, video encoding, or other multi-threaded content creation tools should favor the i7-2700K based on these results.

For Geekbench-style general-purpose computing, the Intel Core i5-4460 is unequivocally superior. Its 34% single-core and 24.4% multi-core leads indicate that Haswell’s architectural improvements translate into real-world speed for everyday applications, web browsing, and mixed productivity tasks. The i5-4460 also consumes less power at 84 W TDP and supports faster memory bandwidth at 25.6 GB/s, making it the more efficient choice for typical desktop use.

The aggregate benchmarks show near-parity: the i7-2700K averages 1419 versus the i5-4460’s 1415, with both sitting at the 37th percentile. This means neither processor represents a universal upgrade over the other. The decision rests entirely on the user’s primary applications. The i7-2700K’s unlocked multiplier offers overclocking potential that the i5-4460 lacks, which could extend its render performance further. However, the i5-4460’s modern architecture provides better baseline efficiency and faster memory throughput. Benchmark results indicate that a user who prioritizes Cinebench-style rendering should select the i7-2700K, while a user focused on Geekbench-style general performance should select the i5-4460. There is no data-supported overall winner.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-2700K | Intel Core i5-4460 |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 84 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Haswell |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 21.3 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 3000 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Release Date | 2011-10-23 | 2014-05-10 |

| Launch MSRP | $332 | $187 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR0DG | SR1QK |