Intel Core i5-4460 vs Intel Core i7-3720QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3720QM and Intel Core i5-4460 present a fascinating split decision. The benchmark data shows the i7-3720QM, a mobile part from 2012, dominates in Cinebench tests across the board, while the i5-4460, a desktop chip from 2014, takes a decisive lead in Geekbench workloads. The i7-3720QM wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head benchmarks, but the i5-4460 wins the two that matter most for raw speed in single-threaded and general-purpose tasks. Both processors sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs, with nearly identical average benchmark scores of 1421 and 1415, respectively, indicating that despite their architectural differences, they occupy the same performance tier overall.

The Verdict

The data suggests a clear split based on workload priority. For users running heavily threaded rendering or content-creation tasks, the Intel Core i7-3720QM is the definitive choice. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 4718 beats the i5-4460's 4188 by a substantial 12.7%, and this advantage is remarkably consistent across every Cinebench version tested, ranging from 12.7% to 12.8% in multicore and 11.9% to 12.7% in single-core. This consistency points to a fundamental architectural edge in how the i7 handles these specific compute tasks.

However, the Intel Core i5-4460 is the winner for general system responsiveness and applications that favor newer instruction sets or higher per-core throughput. The Geekbench results are striking: the i5-4460 scores 3035 in multicore versus the i7-3720QM's 2457, a 19% advantage, and its single-core score of 1018 crushes the i7's 726 by 28.7%. This suggests that for everyday desktop use, web browsing, and software that isn't optimized for the older Ivy Bridge architecture, the i5-4460 will feel noticeably faster.

The choice ultimately comes down to platform and workload. The i7-3720QM is a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 1224 socket, while the i5-4460 is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1150. Since one is not a drop-in replacement for the other, the decision is likely predetermined by the user's existing platform. The data indicates that if you are on a desktop and your software is Geekbench-like in its demands, the i5-4460 is superior. If you are on a laptop and your work is Cinebench-like, the i7-3720QM is the better performer.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different architectural generations from Intel. The i7-3720QM is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture, while the i5-4460 uses Haswell. Both are built on Intel's 22 nm process node and feature the same transistor count of 1,400 million, but the die size differs, with the i7-3720QM at 160 mm² and the i5-4460 at 177 mm².

The core and thread configurations are the most significant architectural divergence. The i7-3720QM features 4 cores and 8 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading technology, while the i5-4460 is a pure 4-core, 4-thread processor. This thread advantage is likely the primary driver behind the i7's consistent Cinebench wins, as those workloads scale well with additional threads. Interestingly, the cache hierarchy is identical: both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

The integrated graphics also differ, with the i7-3720QM featuring Intel HD 4000 and the i5-4460 featuring Intel HD 4600. The i5-4460 supports DDR3 memory with a specified bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i7-3720QM's memory support is not listed in the data. The i5-4460 also has a PCIe Gen 3 interface with 16 lanes on the CPU, while the i7-3720QM's PCIe configuration is not specified. Both processors have locked multipliers, meaning they are not intended for overclocking.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a stark pattern: the i7-3720QM wins every Cinebench test, while the i5-4460 wins every Geekbench test. The margins are substantial and consistent within each benchmark family.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3720QM scores 475 against the i5-4460's 421, a 12.8% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story, with the i7 at 66 versus the i5's 59, an 11.9% advantage. This pattern holds in Cinebench R20, where the i7 leads 1981 to 1758 in multicore (12.7%) and 279 to 248 in single-core (12.5%). The latest Cinebench R23 results reinforce this, with the i7 winning multicore 4718 to 4188 and single-core 666 to 591, both at 12.7% margins.

The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-4460 scores 3035 while the i7-3720QM manages only 2457, giving the i5 a 19% advantage. The single-core Geekbench test is even more lopsided: the i5-4460's 1018 dwarfs the i7's 726, a 28.7% difference. This dramatic swing highlights that the two processors have very different performance profiles depending on the benchmark's characteristics, with the i7's Hyper-Threading helping in Cinebench's rendering workloads, while the i5's newer architecture and higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 2.60 GHz give it a massive edge in Geekbench's more diverse and latency-sensitive tests.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows several key differences beyond the benchmark scores. The base clocks differ significantly, with the i5-4460 running at 3.20 GHz compared to the i7-3720QM's 2.60 GHz. However, the boost clocks are closer, with the i7-3720QM boosting to 3.60 GHz and the i5-4460 boosting to 3.40 GHz.

The thermal design power (TDP) is a major differentiator, reflecting their different market segments. The i7-3720QM is a mobile chip with a 45 W TDP, while the i5-4460 is a desktop part with an 84 W TDP. The sockets are incompatible, with the i7 using Intel BGA 1224 and the i5 using Intel Socket 1150. The i5-4460's production status is listed as end-of-life, while the i7-3720QM's status is not specified.

The release dates show a two-year gap, with the i7-3720QM launching on 2012-04-28 and the i5-4460 on 2014-05-10. The i5-4460 has a launch MSRP of $187, while the i7-3720QM has no listed launch MSRP. The market segments also differ, with the i7-3720QM being mobile and the i5-4460 being desktop. The integrated graphics are different, and the i5-4460 is the only one with specified memory support (DDR3) and memory bandwidth (25.6 GB/s), as well as PCIe details (Gen 3, 16 lanes). Both have identical L1, L2, and L3 cache configurations, and neither supports ECC memory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3720QM has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4460 has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i7-3720QM scores 4718, which is 12.7% higher than the Intel Core i5-4460's score of 4188.

Q: Which processor performs better in Geekbench single-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460 performs significantly better, scoring 1018 compared to the Intel Core i7-3720QM's 726, a 28.7% advantage.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No, they are not. The Intel Core i7-3720QM uses Intel BGA 1224, while the Intel Core i5-4460 uses Intel Socket 1150.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-3720QM has a TDP of 45 W, while the Intel Core i5-4460 has a TDP of 84 W.

Q: Do both processors have the same amount of L3 cache?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-3720QM and the Intel Core i5-4460 have 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3720QM is the clear winner in Cinebench-based workloads, which are typically associated with 3D rendering, video editing, and other content creation tasks that utilize multiple threads effectively. Its Hyper-Threading capability, providing 8 threads versus the i5's 4, appears to be the decisive factor. The data shows a consistent 12.7% to 12.8% lead in multicore tests and an 11.9% to 12.7% lead in single-core Cinebench tests, suggesting that its architecture is more efficient for these specific compute patterns. This makes it the better choice for mobile users who need to do serious rendering work on a laptop, given its lower 45 W TDP.

The Intel Core i5-4460 wins decisively in Geekbench, which is a more general-purpose benchmark that tests a wider variety of CPU features, including memory performance and newer instruction sets. The i5-4460's 19% multicore and 28.7% single-core advantages in Geekbench indicate that it offers superior performance for typical desktop applications, office productivity, and web browsing. Its higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and newer Haswell architecture likely contribute to this advantage. For desktop users, the i5-4460 is the better performer for everyday tasks, despite its higher 84 W TDP and end-of-life production status.

The data paints a picture of two processors that are closely matched in overall average benchmark score (1421 versus 1415) but achieve that parity through very different means. The i7-3720QM leverages its thread count to excel in threaded render workloads, while the i5-4460 uses its architectural efficiency and clock speed to dominate general-purpose computing. The choice between them is not about which is better overall, but which is better for the specific tasks at hand, and the platform they are installed in.