Intel Core i5-4460S vs Intel Xeon D-1521 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon D-1521 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i5-4460S. Across six Cinebench tests, the Xeon D-1521 holds a consistent lead of roughly 16.3% to 16.4% in every discipline. This uniformity is remarkable, as it indicates the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

In Cinebench R15, the Xeon D-1521 scores 476 in multi-core against the Core i5-4460S's 398, a delta of -16.4% from the perspective of the i5. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 67 for the Xeon versus 56 for the i5, again a -16.4% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 1985 for the Xeon and 1661 for the i5, a -16.3% difference, while single-core shows 280 versus 234, another -16.4% gap. The latest Cinebench R23 iteration mirrors this exactly: multi-core 4728 versus 3955 (-16.3%), single-core 667 versus 558 (-16.3%).

The consistency of these margins suggests that the Xeon D-1521's advantage is not dependent on cache size, memory bandwidth, or any test-specific feature. It is a fundamental per-thread and per-core superiority. The i5-4460S has no wins at all in this comparison; the database records 0 wins for the i5 and 6 wins for the Xeon.

What makes this interesting is that the i5-4460S actually has higher clock speeds. The Core i5-4460S runs at a 2.90 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost, while the Xeon D-1521 operates at 2.40 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. Despite the i5's higher clocks, the Xeon dominates every test. This indicates that the Xeon's architecture, process node, and additional threads more than compensate for its lower frequency.

Looking at the broader database context, the Xeon D-1521 sits at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1367. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3820QM (1366, +0.1%), the Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 (1368, -0.1%), the AMD Opteron 6376 (1370, -0.2%), and the Intel Core i7-2600 (1370, -0.2%). The i5-4460S, by contrast, ranks at the 35th percentile with an average score of 1330. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core i5-2500K (1329, +0.1%), the Intel Core i5-760 (1337, -0.5%), and the Intel Celeron G6900T and G6900E, both at 1321 (+0.7%).

The delta between the two CPUs' average scores is only 37 points (1367 versus 1330), which is a 2.8% difference in aggregate. Yet in the Cinebench head-to-head, the gap is consistently around 16%. This discrepancy highlights that Cinebench is particularly sensitive to the Xeon's strengths, likely its higher thread count and newer process technology, while the average benchmark score smooths out those differences across other workloads.

FAQ

Q: Why does the Xeon D-1521 win every benchmark despite having lower clock speeds?

A: The Xeon D-1521 has 8 threads versus 4 on the Core i5-4460S, and it is built on a 14 nm process versus 22 nm. The consistent 16.3% to 16.4% lead across all Cinebench versions indicates that the combination of hyper-threading and architectural efficiency overcomes the i5's higher 2.90 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost clocks.

Q: How large is the performance gap in the most recent Cinebench R23 test?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon D-1521 scores 4728 while the i5-4460S scores 3955, a delta of -16.3%. In single-core R23, the Xeon scores 667 versus 558, also -16.3%. This is a substantial and consistent margin across the board.

Q: Are these two CPUs in the same performance class according to the database?

A: They are close in aggregate. The Xeon D-1521 has an average benchmark score of 1367 and sits at the 36th percentile, while the i5-4460S has an average score of 1330 and sits at the 35th percentile. The aggregate difference is only 2.8%, but the Cinebench-specific gap is much larger at roughly 16%.

Q: Does the Xeon D-1521 support ECC memory, and does the i5-4460S?

A: Yes, the Xeon D-1521 supports ECC memory, while the Core i5-4460S does not. This is a key differentiator for server and workstation reliability use cases, where memory errors are less tolerable.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The Core i5-4460S is listed as end-of-life, having been released on 2014-05-10. The Xeon D-1521 is listed as active, with a release date of 2015-10-31. This means the Xeon is still in production and available for new system builds.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of thermal design power?

A: The Xeon D-1521 has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Core i5-4460S has a TDP of 65 watts. The Xeon delivers higher benchmark scores while consuming less thermal budget, making it more efficient per watt in the recorded data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and process nodes. The Intel Core i5-4460S is based on the Haswell architecture, built on Intel's 22 nm process. It uses a die size of 177 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors. The Intel Xeon D-1521, by contrast, is based on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-DE variant for the Xeon D family, and is built on Intel's 14 nm process. Its die size is larger at 246 mm², and it packs 3,200 million transistors, more than double the transistor count of the i5-4460S.

The cache hierarchy differs significantly. Both CPUs share the same per-core L1 cache at 64 KB and L2 cache at 256 KB. However, the L3 cache arrangement is substantially different. The i5-4460S has a shared 6 MB L3 cache, while the Xeon D-1521 has 1.5 MB of L3 per core. With 4 cores, that totals 6 MB as well, but the per-core partitioning on the Xeon means each core has dedicated fast access to its own L3 segment, which can reduce latency in certain workloads.

The Xeon D-1521 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the i5-4460S only supports DDR3. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i5-4460S has a specified memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s; the Xeon D-1521 does not have a bandwidth figure recorded in the database. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server environments, while the i5-4460S does not.

The PCIe configurations also differ. The i5-4460S provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon D-1521 provides 24 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. This gives the Xeon more headroom for additional expansion cards, storage controllers, or network interfaces. The sockets are incompatible: the i5-4460S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the Xeon D-1521 uses Intel BGA 1667, meaning they are not interchangeable in any system.

The i5-4460S includes integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 4600, while the Xeon D-1521 has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the i5 suitable for systems without a discrete GPU, whereas the Xeon requires a separate graphics solution. The market segments reflect this: the i5-4460S is a desktop part, while the Xeon D-1521 is aimed at the server/workstation segment.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specifications. The most obvious is thread count: the Core i5-4460S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Xeon D-1521 has 4 cores but 8 threads due to hyper-threading. Clock speeds favor the i5-4460S, which has a 2.90 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost, versus the Xeon's 2.40 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost.

Thermal design power favors the Xeon at 45 watts, compared to 65 watts for the i5-4460S. The sockets are entirely different: Intel Socket 1150 for the i5, Intel BGA 1667 for the Xeon. The process nodes differ, with the i5 on 22 nm and the Xeon on 14 nm. Transistor counts are 1,400 million for the i5 and 3,200 million for the Xeon, while die sizes are 177 mm² and 246 mm² respectively.

Memory support is a notable split: the i5-4460S only supports DDR3, while the Xeon D-1521 supports both DDR3 and DDR4. ECC memory is supported only on the Xeon. The PCIe lane count differs, with 16 lanes on the i5 versus 24 lanes on the Xeon, both Gen 3. Integrated graphics are present on the i5 (Intel HD 4600) but absent on the Xeon.

The release dates are about 18 months apart: the i5-4460S launched on 2014-05-10, and the Xeon D-1521 on 2015-10-31. The production status reflects this, with the i5 listed as end-of-life and the Xeon as active. The launch MSRP for the i5-4460S was $182, and for the Xeon D-1521 it was $199.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1521 wins in every recorded category. It dominates in multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 4728 versus 3955 for the i5-4460S. The Xeon's 8 threads give it a clear advantage in rendering, compilation, and any task that scales with thread count. The data shows a consistent 16.3% lead in multi-core tests across R15, R20, and R23.

Surprisingly, the Xeon also wins in single-core tests, despite lower clock speeds. Its R23 single-core score of 667 eclipses the i5-4460S's 558, a 19.5% advantage. This indicates that the Broadwell architecture's IPC (instructions per clock) is significantly better than Haswell's, and that the 14 nm process allows for more efficient execution at lower frequencies. The Xeon's per-core L3 cache of 1.5 MB, versus the i5's shared 6 MB, may also contribute to lower latency in single-threaded tasks.

The Xeon D-1521 is the clear choice for server and workstation environments. Its ECC memory support, 24 PCIe lanes, and dual DDR3/DDR4 compatibility make it suitable for reliable, expandable systems. Its lower 45 watt TDP also makes it attractive for dense deployments where thermal management is critical.

The Core i5-4460S has no benchmark wins, but it does have qualitative advantages. It includes integrated graphics, which means it can power a display without a discrete GPU, making it suitable for basic desktop systems or office machines. Its 65 watt TDP is higher, but still modest, and its Socket 1150 platform offers a broad range of compatible motherboards. For users with existing DDR3 memory and a 1150 board, the i5-4460S could be a drop-in upgrade path, though its end-of-life status limits new builds.

In practical terms, the Xeon D-1521 is the superior processor for any CPU-bound task. The database shows it outperforming the i5-4460S in every measured workload, while consuming less power and offering server-grade features. The i5-4460S retains value only in legacy desktop systems where integrated graphics and an established platform matter more than raw compute performance. For new systems, the recorded data points decisively to the Xeon D-1521 as the stronger choice.