Intel Core i5-4460S vs Intel Core i7-3820QM Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4460S and Intel Core i7-3820QM represent two distinct approaches to Intel’s 22 nm architecture generation, aimed at different market segments. The i5-4460S is a desktop Haswell part with a 65 W TDP, while the i7-3820QM is a mobile Ivy Bridge processor with a 45 W TDP. Despite the i7’s lower power envelope, the benchmark data shows it consistently outperforms the i5 in Cinebench tests, while the i5 counters with substantial wins in Geekbench. The recorded average benchmark scores place the i7-3820QM at 1366 versus 1330 for the i5-4460S, a difference of roughly 2.7% in favor of the mobile part. Both processors land near the 35th and 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite their architectural and segment differences.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3820QM has an average benchmark score of 1366, while the Intel Core i5-4460S scores 1330, giving the i7 a slim overall lead.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The i7-3820QM scores 4777 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 17.2% ahead of the i5-4460S’s 3955.

Q: Does the i5-4460S win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the i5-4460S wins both Geekbench tests: it scores 2750 in multi-core versus 2041 for the i7, a 34.7% advantage, and 1026 in single-core versus 601, a 70.7% advantage.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: Both have 4 cores, but the i7-3820QM supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the i5-4460S has 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-3820QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 6 MB on the i5-4460S.

Q: What is the socket type for each processor?

A: The i5-4460S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-3820QM uses Intel BGA 1224.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The i5-4460S is built on Haswell, while the i7-3820QM is based on Ivy Bridge. Both use a 22 nm process node and are manufactured by Intel, with identical transistor counts of 1,400 million. The die size differs slightly: the i5-4460S measures 177 mm², while the i7-3820QM is smaller at 160 mm².

The i7-3820QM supports Hyper-Threading, doubling its thread count to 8, whereas the i5-4460S operates with 4 threads. This is the most significant architectural advantage for the mobile chip in multi-threaded workloads. The L3 cache also differs, with the i7 featuring 8 MB shared cache versus 6 MB on the i5. L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-4460S includes Intel HD 4600, while the i7-3820QM ships with Intel HD 4000. The i5 supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel operation and a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s; the database does not list memory support or bandwidth for the i7, though it does confirm dual-channel operation. The i5 also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while no PCIe data is recorded for the i7. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The market segments are distinct: the i5-4460S is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP, while the i7-3820QM is a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP. The i5 has a higher base clock at 2.90 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, but the i7 has a higher boost clock at 3.70 GHz versus 3.40 GHz. The i5 was released in 2014 and carries a launch MSRP of $182, while the i7 was released in 2012 with no launch MSRP recorded. The i5 is marked end-of-life in production status, while the i7’s status is not recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3820QM dominates the Cinebench suite across every version recorded. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 481 versus 398 for the i5, a 17.3% lead. Single-core R15 shows a 16.4% advantage with 67 points versus 56. The pattern continues in Cinebench R20, where the i7 leads by 17.2% in multi-core (2006 versus 1661) and 17.3% in single-core (283 versus 234). In Cinebench R23, the i7 repeats the 17.2% multi-core advantage (4777 versus 3955) and 17.2% single-core advantage (674 versus 558). These results indicate that the i7’s higher boost clock and additional threads give it a consistent edge in rendering and compute workloads that scale with Cinebench’s engine.

The i5-4460S counters decisively in the Geekbench tests. Its multi-core score of 2750 beats the i7’s 2041 by 34.7%, and its single-core score of 1026 beats 601 by 70.7%. This suggests that the i5’s Haswell architecture is significantly more efficient in the specific workloads measured by Geekbench, despite its lower thread count and lower boost clock. The i5 wins 2 out of 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the i7 wins 6, but the magnitude of the i5’s Geekbench wins is larger than any single Cinebench margin.

For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering performance, the i7-3820QM is the clear choice. For workloads that align with Geekbench’s test methodology, the i5-4460S offers a substantial advantage. The data shows a split based on benchmark type rather than a uniform winner.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. Core count is the same at 4, but thread count differs: 4 for the i5-4460S and 8 for the i7-3820QM. Base clocks are 2.90 GHz for the i5 and 2.70 GHz for the i7, while boost clocks are 3.40 GHz and 3.70 GHz, respectively. TDP values differ notably: 65 W for the i5 versus 45 W for the i7.

Socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1150 for the i5 and Intel BGA 1224 for the i7. Architecture and codename differ as Haswell versus Ivy Bridge. Process node is the same at 22 nm, and transistor count is identical at 1,400 million, but die size differs at 177 mm² for the i5 and 160 mm² for the i7.

L3 cache is 6 MB shared on the i5 and 8 MB shared on the i7; L1 and L2 caches are identical. Memory support is recorded as DDR3 for the i5, while no memory support type is listed for the i7. Both use dual-channel memory, but only the i5 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. ECC memory support is false for both. PCIe data is present only for the i5: Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4600 on the i5, Intel HD 4000 on the i7.

Market segment is desktop for the i5 and mobile for the i7. Production status is end-of-life for the i5, with no status recorded for the i7. Release dates are 2014 for the i5 and 2012 for the i7. Launch MSRP is $182 for the i5, while no MSRP is recorded for the i7. Multiplier unlock status is false for both. Part numbers are SR1QQ for the i5 and SR0MK for the i7.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a consistent pattern in Cinebench and a sharp reversal in Geekbench. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3820QM scores 481 against 398 for the i5-4460S, a delta of -17.3% from the i5’s perspective. Single-core R15 gives the i7 a 67 to 56 win, a -16.4% delta. These margins are nearly uniform across the Cinebench versions, suggesting a stable performance gap driven by the i7’s architectural and clock advantages.

Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the i7 at 2006 versus 1661, a -17.2% delta, and single-core at 283 versus 234, also -17.3%. Cinebench R23 repeats the exact multi-core delta of -17.2% with scores of 4777 and 3955, while single-core shows 674 versus 558, another -17.2% margin. The consistency of these deltas across R15, R20, and R23 indicates that the i7’s advantage in Cinebench workloads is robust and not sensitive to the specific benchmark version.

The Geekbench results flip the comparison entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-4460S scores 2750 versus 2041 for the i7, a 34.7% lead. In Geekbench single-core, the i5 scores 1026 versus 601, a 70.7% lead. These are the largest deltas in the entire head-to-head set, and they underscore how differently the two processors behave across benchmark suites. The i5’s Geekbench single-core win is more than four times larger in percentage terms than any Cinebench gap the i7 manages.

The i7-3820QM wins 6 of the 8 recorded comparisons, all in Cinebench. The i5-4460S wins 2, both in Geekbench. The overall average benchmark score still favors the i7, at 1366 versus 1330, because the Cinebench wins are numerous and the Geekbench wins, while large in percentage, do not fully compensate in the aggregate scoring. The percentile rankings are close, with the i7 at the 36th percentile and the i5 at the 35th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

The nearest rivals for each chip contextualize their standings. The i5-4460S sits within 0.7% of the Intel Celeron G6900T and G6900E, and within 0.1% of the Intel Core i5-2500K, while trailing the Intel Core i5-760 by 0.5%. The i7-3820QM is within 0.3% of the Intel Core i5-8365UE, and within 0.1% of the Intel Xeon D-1521, while trailing the Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 by 0.2% and the AMD Opteron 6376 by 0.3%. These close margins place both processors in a tightly packed performance band, despite their different benchmark profiles.