Intel Core i5-4460S vs Intel Core i5-7400T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7400T and the Intel Core i5-4460S are both four-core, four-thread desktop processors, but they represent two distinct generations of Intel design. The data shows a fascinating split: the newer Kaby Lake chip (i5-7400T) dominates the multicore and most single-core tests, yet the older Haswell part (i5-4460S) manages to snatch a narrow victory in one Geekbench single-core metric. This head-to-head analysis dissects the benchmark results to determine what each processor does best, and for whom each is ultimately suited.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a consistent, albeit modest, advantage for the Intel Core i5-7400T across nearly the entire test suite. The largest margin of victory for the Kaby Lake part comes in the Geekbench multicore test, where it scores 2864 against the i5-4460S's 2750. This translates to a 4.1% deltaPct, the most significant performance gap recorded in this comparison. In the Cinebench tests, the i5-7400T's wins are smaller but still present: it leads by 0.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore (401 vs 398), by 0.7% in R20 multicore (1672 vs 1661), and by 0.7% in R23 multicore (3981 vs 3955). These results indicate that in heavily threaded workloads, the newer architecture consistently edges out the older one, even though the i5-7400T has a significantly lower base clock speed.

The single-core results paint a more nuanced picture. In the Cinebench single-core tests, the i5-7400T again takes the lead, though by a hair. It scores 56 to 56 in R15 (a 0% deltaPct, with the win awarded based on the raw score), 236 to 234 in R20 (0.9% deltaPct), and 562 to 558 in R23 (0.7% deltaPct). However, the story flips in the Geekbench single-core test. Here, the Intel Core i5-4460S emerges victorious with a score of 1026, compared to the i5-7400T's 1014. This is the only test where the Haswell chip wins, and the deltaPct is -1.2% (in favor of the i5-4460S). This anomaly suggests that while the i5-7400T's architectural improvements generally boost single-threaded performance, the i5-4460S's higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz (versus 3.00 GHz) can still provide a tangible edge in specific workloads that are sensitive to raw frequency.

Overall, the scoreboard is decisively in favor of the i5-7400T, which wins 7 out of the 8 head-to-head benchmarks. The only loss for the i5-7400T is that single Geekbench test, a result that underscores the complexity of comparing processors across different architectures and clock speeds. The average benchmark score for the i5-7400T is 1348, placing it in the 36th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-4460S averages 1330, sitting in the 35th percentile. This data confirms that while both are entry-level performers by modern standards, the i5-7400T holds a slight but consistent edge in the aggregate.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Core i5-7400T is the outright performance winner. It wins the majority of the tests, and its average benchmark score of 1348 is higher than the i5-4460S's 1330. For any user focused purely on benchmark results, the i5-7400T is the superior choice. Its wins in both Cinebench R23 multicore (3981 vs 3955) and Geekbench multicore (2864 vs 2750) suggest it is better suited for tasks that can utilize all four cores, such as video encoding or 3D rendering. The fact that it achieves this with a 35W TDP compared to the i5-4460S's 65W TDP is a significant efficiency advantage, making it a more attractive option for compact or low-power systems.

The Intel Core i5-4460S, while losing the overall comparison, is not without merit. Its sole victory in Geekbench single-core (1026 vs 1014) indicates that in certain light, single-threaded tasks, it can match or slightly exceed the newer chip. Furthermore, as an end-of-life product, it may be available on the used market at a lower price point, although this analysis does not factor in cost. The data suggests that the i5-4460S is a serviceable processor for basic computing, but it is objectively outpaced by the i5-7400T in the vast majority of scenarios. The verdict is clear: the i5-7400T is the more capable processor, offering better multicore performance, better single-core performance in most tests, and a much more power-efficient design.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results clearly delineate the strengths of each processor. The Intel Core i5-7400T is the winner in all multicore workloads. Its leadership in Cinebench R15 (401 vs 398), R20 (1672 vs 1661), and R23 (3981 vs 3955) makes it the go-to choice for video editing, 3D modeling, or any application that leverages multiple threads. It also wins in most single-threaded tests, including Cinebench R20 single-core (236 vs 234) and R23 single-core (562 vs 558), which means it will also provide a snappy experience in general desktop use, web browsing, and office applications. Its lower TDP also makes it the better fit for systems where heat and power consumption are primary concerns.

The Intel Core i5-4460S has a much narrower field of victory. Its only benchmark win is in Geekbench single-core, with a score of 1026 versus 1014 for the i5-7400T. This suggests that in extremely specific single-threaded tasks that are not well-represented by the Cinebench suite, the i5-4460S's higher boost clock can give it a slight edge. However, this is a single data point in a comparison where it loses every other test. It is not a win that suggests any broad category of application, but rather a specific quirk of that particular benchmark. For all other purposes, the i5-4460S is the slower processor. Its higher 65W TDP also makes it less suitable for small form factor or energy-efficient builds.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multicore tasks?

A: The Intel Core i5-7400T is faster in every multicore benchmark. It scores 3981 vs 3955 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 2864 vs 2750 in Geekbench multicore.

Q: Does the i5-4460S ever beat the i5-7400T?

A: Yes, in exactly one test. The i5-4460S wins the Geekbench single-core test with a score of 1026, while the i5-7400T scores 1014.

Q: What is the difference in their power consumption?

A: The i5-7400T has a significantly lower TDP of 35W, while the i5-4460S has a TDP of 65W.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460S has a higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz, compared to the i5-7400T's 3.00 GHz.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-7400T has a higher average benchmark score of 1348, placing it in the 36th percentile, while the i5-4460S has an average score of 1330, in the 35th percentile.

Q: Which processor is the newer release?

A: The i5-7400T is the newer processor, with a release date of January 2017, while the i5-4460S was released in May 2014.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i5-7400T is based on the Kaby Lake architecture, fabricated on a 14 nm process node. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-4460S uses the older Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node. This difference in process technology is a major reason for the i5-7400T's efficiency advantage, allowing it to deliver better performance at a 35W TDP compared to the i5-4460S's 65W TDP. The i5-4460S has a listed transistor count of 1,400 million and a die size of 177 mm², while these figures are not provided for the i5-7400T.

The two CPUs also support different memory types. The i5-7400T supports DDR4 memory with a maximum bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-4460S supports DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. This indicates a significant generational leap in memory technology, with the i5-7400T able to feed its cores data at a much faster rate. Both processors have the same cache hierarchy, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The integrated graphics also differ, with the i5-7400T featuring the HD 630 and the i5-4460S featuring the Intel HD 4600. Both use the same PCIe Gen 3 interface with 16 lanes.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two CPUs reveal several key differences beyond the architecture. The most prominent are the clock speeds and power ratings. The i5-7400T has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz, while the i5-4460S has a higher base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Despite the lower clocks, the i5-7400T is more power-efficient, with a TDP of 35W versus the i5-4460S's 65W.

The sockets are also incompatible, with the i5-7400T using Intel Socket 1151 and the i5-4460S using Intel Socket 1150. This is a critical distinction for anyone considering a system upgrade, as the motherboard must match the CPU socket. The memory support differs as well, with the i5-7400T using DDR4 and the i5-4460S using DDR3. The i5-4460S has a launch MSRP of $182, while the i5-7400T does not have a listed launch MSRP. The i5-7400T is marked as "Active" production, while the i5-4460S is "End-of-life". Finally, the part numbers are SR332 for the i5-7400T and SR1QQ for the i5-4460S.