Intel Core i5-4460S vs Intel Core i5-6500T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows a consistent, if modest, advantage for the Intel Core i5-6500T across nearly every workload category. Out of eight recorded tests, the i5-6500T claims seven wins, while the Intel Core i5-4460S takes a single victory. The margin of victory for the i5-6500T is typically small, ranging between 1.8% and 3.3%, which suggests that the newer architecture provides a steady but not overwhelming performance uplift.

The largest delta in the entire comparison appears in Geekbench multicore, where the i5-6500T scores 2843 against the i5-4460S's 2750, a difference of 3.3%. That is the widest gap recorded in any test, indicating that the i5-6500T's advantage becomes more pronounced when all four cores are engaged simultaneously. The Cinebench R15 multicore test tells a similar story, with the i5-6500T posting 408 points versus 398 for the i5-4460S, a 2.5% delta. The Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore tests both show a 2.4% lead for the i5-6500T, with scores of 1702 versus 1661 and 4054 versus 3955, respectively.

Single-core results follow the same pattern, though the differences are even narrower. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i5-6500T scores 57 versus 56, a 1.8% edge. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 240 versus 234, a 2.5% delta, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 572 versus 558, again a 2.4% margin. The only test where the i5-4460S comes out ahead is Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1026 against the i5-6500T's 1016, a 1% margin in the older chip's favor. This single result breaks the pattern and suggests that in lightly threaded tasks with specific instruction usage, the higher clock speed of the i5-4460S can compensate for architectural differences.

Looking at the aggregate metrics, the i5-6500T holds a higher average benchmark score of 1362 compared to 1330 for the i5-4460S. The i5-6500T also sits at the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the i5-4460S sits at the 35th percentile. These are effectively adjacent positions, reinforcing the interpretation that these two processors occupy nearly the same performance tier, with the i5-6500T having a slight statistical edge.

The nearest rivals for each chip further contextualize this performance level. The i5-4460S is bracketed by the Intel Core i5-2500K (average score 1329, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i5-760 (1337, delta -0.5%), and the Intel Celeron G6900T and G6900E (both 1321, delta 0.7%). The i5-6500T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-8365UE (1362, delta 0%), the Intel Core i7-3820QM (1366, delta -0.3%), the Intel Xeon D-1521 (1367, delta -0.4%), and the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 (1357, delta 0.4%). These rival groups confirm that both chips perform in the same general band of desktop processors from their respective eras.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split between these two processors lies in their respective generations and manufacturing processes. The i5-4460S is built on the Haswell architecture, using Intel's 22 nm process node, while the i5-6500T is a Skylake part fabricated on the 14 nm process. This process shrink is directly reflected in the die size: the Haswell chip measures 177 mm², while the Skylake chip measures 122 mm², a substantial reduction in physical footprint. The transistor count for the i5-4460S is listed as 1,400 million; no corresponding figure is recorded for the i5-6500T.

Both processors feature four cores and four threads, with no hyper-threading enabled. The cache hierarchy is identical on paper: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The base and boost clock speeds differ, however. The i5-4460S runs at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the i5-6500T runs at 2.50 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. The i5-4460S therefore holds a clock speed advantage of 400 MHz at base and 300 MHz at boost, which helps explain its single Geekbench single-core win.

The most consequential difference is in thermal design power. The i5-4460S is rated at 65 W TDP, while the i5-6500T is rated at only 35 W TDP. This nearly half-power consumption profile for the i5-6500T is a defining characteristic of the "T" suffix, indicating a low-power variant designed for compact or thermally constrained systems. The socket also differs: the i5-4460S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-6500T uses Intel Socket 1151, meaning they are not interchangeable in the same motherboard.

Memory support diverges significantly. The i5-4460S supports only DDR3, while the i5-6500T supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both run dual-channel memory configurations, but the memory bandwidth differs: the i5-4460S delivers 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-6500T delivers 34.1 GB/s. This 33% higher bandwidth for the i5-6500T likely contributes to its multicore performance edge in memory-sensitive workloads.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i5-4460S carries Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the i5-6500T carries HD Graphics 530. Both processors provide PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and neither supports ECC memory. Both are end-of-life products, with the i5-4460S released in May 2014 and the i5-6500T released in July 2015, a gap of roughly 14 months. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data indicates that the i5-6500T is the stronger choice for multi-threaded and sustained workloads. It wins all three Cinebench multicore tests (R15, R20, R23) and the Geekbench multicore test. This consistency across rendering and general-purpose multi-core workloads suggests that the combination of the newer Skylake architecture, higher memory bandwidth (34.1 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s), and lower power draw translates into better overall throughput. The i5-6500T also wins all three Cinebench single-core tests, albeit by narrow margins of 1.8% to 2.5%, meaning that even in lightly threaded tasks, the architectural efficiency of Skylake slightly outweighs the raw clock speed disadvantage.

The i5-4460S's sole win comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1026 versus 1016, a 1% margin. This result likely reflects the 300 MHz higher boost clock (3.40 GHz versus 3.10 GHz) combined with the specific workload characteristics of that test. For users running applications that rely on a single thread and are highly clock-speed sensitive, the i5-4460S offers a marginal edge. However, the i5-6500T wins the other three single-core tests, so this advantage is not universal.

In terms of power efficiency, the i5-6500T is decisively ahead. Its 35 W TDP versus the i5-4460S's 65 W TDP means it delivers comparable or better performance while consuming far less thermal headroom. For small form factor builds, silent PCs, or systems where cooling is limited, the i5-6500T is clearly the more appropriate part. The i5-4460S, with its higher clocks and higher power envelope, may be preferable in a desktop with robust cooling where the slight single-core Geekbench win can be leveraged.

The memory flexibility of the i5-6500T (DDR3 and DDR4 support) gives it an advantage in platform selection, as it can be paired with either older DDR3 memory or newer DDR4 modules. The i5-4460S is locked to DDR3, which limits upgrade paths on the memory side. For new builds, the i5-6500T's 34.1 GB/s memory bandwidth also provides a measurable improvement over the i5-4460S's 25.6 GB/s.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-6500T has an average benchmark score of 1362, while the Intel Core i5-4460S has an average score of 1330. This places the i5-6500T at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, one point above the i5-4460S at the 35th percentile.

Q: What is the largest performance difference between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench multicore, where the i5-6500T scores 2843 versus 2750 for the i5-4460S, a delta of 3.3%. All other test deltas range from 1.8% to 2.5%, with one exception: Geekbench single-core, where the i5-4460S leads by 1%.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading. They also share identical cache sizes: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The i5-4460S has a TDP of 65 W, while the i5-6500T has a TDP of 35 W. This makes the i5-6500T significantly more power-efficient, consuming nearly half the thermal design power while delivering slightly higher benchmark scores.

Q: Which memory types does each processor support?

A: The i5-4460S supports only DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The i5-6500T supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in dual-channel, with a higher memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s compared to the i5-4460S's 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i5-4460S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-6500T uses Intel Socket 1151. They are not interchangeable, and each requires a motherboard designed for its respective socket.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Intel Core i5-6500T as the stronger overall performer. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, holds a higher average score (1362 versus 1330), and achieves this while operating at a much lower TDP of 35 W versus 65 W. The multicore advantages, ranging from 2.4% to 3.3%, are consistent across all Cinebench and Geekbench multicore tests. The single-core wins are narrower (1.8% to 2.5%) but still favor the i5-6500T in three out of four single-core tests.

The i5-4460S's single victory in Geekbench single-core (1026 versus 1016) indicates that its higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz can outperform the i5-6500T's 3.10 GHz in certain lightly threaded tasks. Users who prioritize absolute maximum single-thread performance in that specific benchmark context might prefer the i5-4460S, but the overall data suggests this is a narrow edge.

For new system builds, the i5-6500T offers additional practical benefits beyond raw performance. Its DDR3 and DDR4 support provides memory flexibility, while its 34.1 GB/s bandwidth exceeds the i5-4460S's 25.6 GB/s. The smaller die size (122 mm² versus 177 mm²) and newer 14 nm process indicate a more modern design. The i5-6500T is the recommended choice for most scenarios based on the benchmark evidence.

The i5-4460S remains a reasonable option for users already invested in the Socket 1150 platform with DDR3 memory, particularly if they need the higher clock speeds for single-threaded applications that respond to the 3.40 GHz boost. Its 1% Geekbench single-core win, while small, is the only test where it outperforms the i5-6500T. For all other workloads, the i5-6500T's combination of higher scores and dramatically lower power consumption makes it the more compelling part.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4460S | Intel Core i5-6500T |

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

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Skylake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 122 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not recorded |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | HD Graphics 530 |

| Release Date | 2014-05-10 | 2015-07-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $182 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SR1QQ | SR2L8 |