Intel Core i5-4460S vs Intel Core i5-6400 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4460S and Intel Core i5-6400 are both legacy quad-core desktop processors, but the recorded data shows they are not interchangeable. The i5-4460S wins the majority of the head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the i5-6400 counters with a decisive victory in Geekbench multi-core testing. The decision between them hinges on workload type, platform requirements, and which benchmark suite aligns with your intended use case.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are separated by a full architecture generation. The Intel Core i5-4460S is built on the Haswell architecture, fabricated on a 22 nm process node at Intel. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-6400 uses the Skylake architecture, which moves to a 14 nm process node, also on a 177 mm² die size. The transistor count for the Skylake part is not recorded in the database.

Both chips feature 4 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The fundamental difference lies in the memory support. The i5-4460S supports DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus, delivering 25.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The i5-6400 supports DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, but with a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. This is a significant architectural advantage for the Skylake part, as the newer memory standard provides a 33% increase in theoretical bandwidth.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-4460S carries Intel HD 4600, while the i5-6400 ships with HD Graphics 530. Both processors use a Gen 3 PCIe interface with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i5-4460S is compatible with Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-6400 requires Intel Socket 1151. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-4460S was released in May of 2014, while the i5-6400 followed in July of 2015. Both are end-of-life products.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly between two distinct workload families. The i5-4460S dominates the Cinebench suite, which is a render-based test that heavily exercises the CPU's compute throughput. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core tests, the i5-4460S wins every time with deltas ranging from 9.3% to 9.8%. This suggests that for rendering and CPU-bound compute tasks, the Haswell part is the stronger performer.

The i5-6400 wins the Geekbench tests, which are broader synthetic workloads covering a wider range of tasks including integer and floating-point operations, memory access, and cryptography. The i5-6400 leads in Geekbench multi-core by 12.3% and in single-core by 2.1%. This indicates that the Skylake architecture, combined with its higher memory bandwidth, offers better performance in general-purpose computing scenarios that are not purely render-based.

The practical split is clear: the i5-4460S for render workloads, the i5-6400 for mixed or general-purpose tasks. The i5-4460S's higher base clock of 2.90 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, and boost clock of 3.40 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, likely contributes to its Cinebench lead. The i5-6400's DDR4 support gives it a memory bandwidth edge that shows up in Geekbench's memory-sensitive tests.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4460S scores 3955 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 9.4% ahead of the i5-6400's 3614. The i5-4460S also wins in Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 558 versus 510 for the i5-6400.

Q: Does the i5-6400 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the i5-6400 wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 3134 in Geekbench multi-core versus 2750 for the i5-4460S, a 12.3% lead, and 1048 in Geekbench single-core versus 1026, a 2.1% lead.

Q: Can both processors use the same motherboard?

A: No. The i5-4460S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-6400 uses Intel Socket 1151. They are not electrically or physically compatible with each other's platforms.

Q: What type of memory does each CPU support?

A: The i5-4460S supports DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i5-6400 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Are these CPUs unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the i5-4460S and the i5-6400 have locked multipliers, meaning they are not officially overclockable.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-4460S has an average benchmark score of 1330, while the i5-6400 has an average of 1307. The i5-4460S ranks slightly higher, though both sit at the 35th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Base Clock: i5-4460S at 2.90 GHz, i5-6400 at 2.70 GHz
• Boost Clock: i5-4460S at 3.40 GHz, i5-6400 at 3.30 GHz
• Process Node: i5-4460S at 22 nm, i5-6400 at 14 nm
• Transistors: i5-4460S at 1,400 million, i5-6400 not recorded
• Memory Support: i5-4460S with DDR3, i5-6400 with DDR4
• Memory Bandwidth: i5-4460S at 25.6 GB/s, i5-6400 at 34.1 GB/s
• Integrated Graphics: i5-4460S with Intel HD 4600, i5-6400 with HD Graphics 530
• Socket: i5-4460S on Intel Socket 1150, i5-6400 on Intel Socket 1151
• Architecture: i5-4460S on Haswell, i5-6400 on Skylake
• Release Date: i5-4460S in May 2014, i5-6400 in July 2015

Identical specifications include core count (4), threads (4), TDP (65 watts), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), L3 cache (6 MB shared), PCIe configuration (Gen 3, 16 lanes), ECC support (false), multiplier unlock (false), and launch MSRP ($182 for both).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a decisive pattern. The i5-4460S wins 6 out of 8 benchmark comparisons, all in the Cinebench family. The largest victory for the i5-4460S is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 56 against the i5-6400's 51, a 9.8% delta. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4460S scores 398 versus 364, a 9.3% lead. The pattern holds across newer Cinebench versions: R20 multi-core is 1661 versus 1517 (9.5% lead), R20 single-core is 234 versus 214 (9.3% lead), R23 multi-core is 3955 versus 3614 (9.4% lead), and R23 single-core is 558 versus 510 (9.4% lead).

The i5-6400's wins are concentrated in Geekbench. Its most significant victory is in Geekbench multi-core, scoring 3134 against the i5-4460S's 2750, a 12.3% advantage. This is the largest delta in either direction across all tests. The i5-6400 also wins Geekbench single-core with a narrower margin: 1048 versus 1026, a 2.1% lead.

The data shows that the i5-4460S has a consistent, roughly 9% advantage across all Cinebench tests, regardless of version or core count. This uniformity suggests an architectural efficiency in render workloads that the Skylake part cannot overcome despite its higher memory bandwidth. Conversely, the i5-6400's Geekbench multi-core victory is substantial, indicating that the newer architecture and DDR4 memory provide a meaningful uplift in memory-intensive or latency-sensitive workloads.

The Verdict

The verdict depends on the workload. For render-based tasks, the Intel Core i5-4460S is the clear choice. It wins every Cinebench test by approximately 9%, a consistent and measurable advantage. Users running video rendering, 3D scene creation, or other Cinebench-like workloads should favor the Haswell part.

For broader system performance, the Intel Core i5-6400 is the better option. Its 12.3% lead in Geekbench multi-core is the single largest performance gap in the comparison, and its 2.1% win in Geekbench single-core adds to its case. The Skylake chip's 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth versus 25.6 GB/s is a structural advantage that shows up in mixed workload testing.

The platform choice is also a factor. The i5-4460S requires Socket 1150 and DDR3 memory, while the i5-6400 requires Socket 1151 and uses DDR4. If you are building or upgrading a system, this determines which motherboards and memory modules are viable. Both CPUs carry the same launch MSRP of $182, and both sit at the 35th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are statistically equivalent in overall standing. The i5-4460S has a slightly higher average benchmark score (1330 versus 1307), but the i5-6400's Geekbench wins suggest it is the more versatile processor for everyday computing. Users who prioritize render throughput should select the i5-4460S; those who prioritize general-purpose speed and memory bandwidth should select the i5-6400.