Intel Core i5-4460S vs Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 wins every recorded comparison against the Intel Core i5-4460S. Across six Cinebench tests, the Xeon holds a consistent advantage, with delta percentages ranging from 17.9% to 18.8%. This is not a narrow margin; it is a systematic performance gap that repeats across every workload tested.

Starting with multi-core performance, the Xeon scores 472 in Cinebench R15 multi-core against 398 for the i5-4460S, a delta of 18.6%. The pattern continues in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Xeon posts 1970 versus 1661, again an 18.6% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon reaches 4692 while the i5-4460S manages 3955, maintaining the same 18.6% delta. These results indicate that the Xeon's lead is not workload-dependent in the multi-threaded arena; it is a consistent structural advantage.

Single-core tests show an even larger relative gap. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Xeon scores 66 against 56 for the i5-4460S, a 17.9% delta. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 278 versus 234, an 18.8% delta, the largest margin recorded in the head-to-head set. Cinebench R23 single-core follows with 662 versus 558, an 18.6% delta. The single-core advantages are slightly more pronounced in percentage terms, which suggests the Xeon benefits from both higher clock speeds and possibly better per-core efficiency in these tests.

The average benchmark score reinforces this hierarchy. The Xeon E3-1226 v3 holds an average score of 1357 across its benchmark set, while the i5-4460S averages 1330. In the database's percentile rankings, the Xeon sits at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-4460S sits at the 35th percentile. Both are mid-pack performers, but the Xeon is consistently ahead. The nearest rivals for the Xeon include the Intel Core i5-6500T at 1362 (a -0.3% delta) and the Intel Core i5-8365UE at 1362 (-0.4%), meaning the Xeon is essentially tied with those parts. The i5-4460S, by contrast, is compared to the Intel Core i5-2500K at 1329 (0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i5-760 at 1337 (-0.5%), showing it sits in a slightly lower performance tier relative to its own rivals.

The head-to-head table lists 6 wins for the Xeon and 0 for the i5-4460S. There is no recorded test where the i5-4460S comes out ahead. The smallest delta is 17.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and the largest is 18.8% in Cinebench R20 single-core. This consistency is notable: the Xeon does not merely edge out the i5-4460S in one or two tests, it dominates every single benchmark in the comparison set.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm process node and share the Haswell architecture, with the Xeon using the Haswell-WS codename and the i5-4460S using the standard Haswell codename. Both chips contain 1,400 million transistors, though the die sizes differ: the Xeon measures 160 mm², while the i5-4460S measures 177 mm². This size difference, despite identical transistor counts, suggests a different physical layout and possibly different functional blocks.

The core and thread counts are identical: 4 cores and 4 threads on both parts. Neither processor supports hyper-threading, and both have their multipliers locked, meaning no overclocking via multiplier adjustment. The base clock on the Xeon is 3.30 GHz with a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The i5-4460S runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. The Xeon's clocks are higher by 400 MHz at base and 300 MHz at boost, which directly contributes to its benchmark superiority.

Cache configurations differ meaningfully. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is 8 MB on the Xeon versus 6 MB on the i5-4460S. That extra 2 MB of shared cache can help with data reuse in multi-threaded workloads, though the benchmark deltas are consistent across both single and multi-core tests, suggesting clock speed is the primary driver.

Memory support is identical in bandwidth terms: both use DDR3 with dual-channel memory and a maximum bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The critical difference is ECC support. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the i5-4460S does not. This is a defining feature for the Xeon's server/workstation market segment. Both processors use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Xeon includes Intel HD P4600, while the i5-4460S includes Intel HD 4600. Both are integrated GPU solutions, but the Xeon's P4600 variant is typically positioned for professional or server duties. The market segments reflect this: the Xeon is classified as Server/Workstation, while the i5-4460S is Desktop. Both were released on the same date, 2014-05-10, and both are now end-of-life products.

The power envelope differs as well, with the Xeon rated at 84 W TDP and the i5-4460S at 65 W TDP. The Xeon uses more power, which is expected given its higher clocks and larger cache. The i5-4460S's lower TDP makes it a more power-efficient part on paper, but the benchmark data shows it sacrifices significant performance to achieve that efficiency.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon E3-1226 v3 wins every benchmark category recorded. There is no test in the database where the i5-4460S takes the lead. The Xeon's advantages are most pronounced in single-core tests by percentage, with an 18.8% delta in Cinebench R20 single-core. In multi-core tests, the delta is consistently 18.6% across R15, R20, and R23. This uniform performance lead makes the Xeon the clear choice for any workload that relies on CPU computation, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded.

For users running Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the Xeon's 18.6% multi-core advantage translates directly into faster render times. The single-core lead of 17.9% to 18.8% matters for applications that are not well-parallelized, such as older software or tasks with heavy per-thread dependencies. The Xeon's higher base and boost clocks, 3.30 GHz and 3.70 GHz respectively, give it a fundamental speed advantage that the i5-4460S cannot offset with its 2.90 GHz and 3.40 GHz clocks.

The i5-4460S does have its own strengths, but they are not performance-related in the benchmark data. Its 65 W TDP versus the Xeon's 84 W means it draws less power, which could be relevant for compact systems or builds with limited cooling. The i5-4460S also includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, which may be sufficient for basic display output without a discrete GPU. The Xeon's HD P4600 is present, but the i5-4460S is positioned as a desktop part, so its integrated graphics may be more familiar to consumer users.

The i5-4460S also supports no ECC memory, which simplifies memory compatibility in consumer motherboards. The Xeon requires ECC-capable platforms for that feature to be useful, and those are typically server or workstation boards. For a mainstream desktop user, the i5-4460S's lack of ECC is not a disadvantage, it is simply a non-feature.

For server or workstation deployments, the Xeon's ECC support and larger 8 MB L3 cache are meaningful. ECC memory can prevent data corruption in long-running compute jobs, and the extra cache can improve performance in workloads with high data locality. The Xeon's market segment classification as Server/Workstation aligns with these capabilities.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 outperforms the Intel Core i5-4460S in every recorded benchmark. The Xeon leads by 17.9% to 18.8% across all six Cinebench tests, with a consistent 18.6% advantage in multi-core workloads and 18.8% in the best single-core case. The average benchmark score of 1357 for the Xeon versus 1330 for the i5-4460S confirms the hierarchy, as do the percentile rankings of 36 versus 35.

Users who prioritize raw CPU performance should choose the Xeon E3-1226 v3. Its higher clocks, 3.30 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, along with its 8 MB L3 cache, deliver measurable gains in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. The Xeon also offers ECC memory support, which is essential for error-sensitive workloads in servers or workstations. The 84 W TDP is higher, but the performance payoff is substantial.

Users who prioritize power efficiency should consider the i5-4460S. Its 65 W TDP is lower, and for light desktop tasks, the performance gap may not be noticeable. The i5-4460S also carries a lower launch MSRP of $182, compared to the Xeon's $213. However, the database shows zero benchmark wins for the i5-4460S, so any efficiency benefit comes with a clear performance cost.

For a workstation or server build where ECC memory and maximum compute throughput are required, the Xeon E3-1226 v3 is the only choice between these two. For a mainstream desktop where power draw and cost are primary concerns and the performance delta is acceptable, the i5-4460S remains a functional option. The verdict from the data is that the Xeon wins on performance outright, while the i5-4460S wins only on power and price, neither of which appears in the benchmark scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 scores 662 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core i5-4460S scores 558, a delta of 18.6% in favor of the Xeon.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4460S win any benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The head-to-head table records 6 wins for the Xeon E3-1226 v3 and 0 wins for the i5-4460S across all six Cinebench tests.

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

A: The Xeon E3-1226 v3 has a TDP of 84 W, while the i5-4460S has a TDP of 65 W. The i5-4460S is the lower-power part.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Xeon E3-1226 v3 supports ECC memory, while the i5-4460S does not. This is a key differentiator for server or workstation use.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the Xeon E3-1226 v3 and 6 MB shared on the i5-4460S.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Xeon E3-1226 v3 has an average benchmark score of 1357, while the i5-4460S has an average of 1330. The Xeon also ranks at the 36th percentile of all CPUs, versus 35th for the i5-4460S.