Intel Core i5-4670K vs Intel Core i5-7600T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7600T and the Intel Core i5-4670K are both quad-core desktop processors, but they represent two very different eras and design philosophies from Intel. The data shows a clear generational split, with the newer Kaby Lake chip winning the majority of benchmark head-to-heads, while the older Haswell chip demonstrates surprising strength in specific workloads. This analysis breaks down exactly where each processor excels and where it falls behind, based strictly on the benchmark data provided.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the data is the 7600T's dominance across the Cinebench suite. In the R15 multicore test, the 7600T scores 500 against the 4670K's 478, a 4.6% advantage. That same 4.6% delta appears consistently across every Cinebench iteration: R20 multicore sees the 7600T at 2086 versus 1995, and R23 multicore shows 4968 versus 4751. The single-core Cinebench results tell the same story, with the 7600T taking R15 single-core by 70 to 67 (4.5%) and R20 single-core by 294 to 281 (4.6%). The R23 single-core test completes the sweep, with the 7600T at 701 and the 4670K at 670, again a 4.6% gap.

The consistency of that 4.6% delta across nearly every Cinebench test is remarkable. It suggests the 7600T's architectural efficiency advantage is uniform across both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering workloads. The 4670K, despite its higher base and boost clocks, cannot overcome the newer microarchitecture's instruction-per-clock advantage in this rendering engine.

However, the story flips dramatically in Geekbench. Here, the 4670K wins both tests, and by more decisive margins than the 7600T's Cinebench victories. In Geekbench multicore, the 4670K scores 3700 against the 7600T's 3447, a 6.8% advantage. The Geekbench single-core test shows the 4670K at 1302 versus 1246, a 4.3% lead. This is a significant reversal, indicating that Geekbench's workload mix favors the 4670K's higher clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost) over the 7600T's lower clocks (2.80 GHz base, 3.70 GHz boost).

The overall win count stands at 6-2 in favor of the 7600T, but the average benchmark scores tell a tighter story. The 7600T averages 1664 across all tests, while the 4670K averages 1656, a margin of just 0.5%. The nearest-rival data confirms how closely matched these two are: the 4670K is listed as the 7600T's nearest rival with a 0.5% delta, while the 7600T appears in the 4670K's rival list with a -0.1% delta. These two chips are statistically near-identical in overall performance, with the differences emerging only when you isolate specific benchmark types.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural gap between these processors is substantial. The 7600T is built on Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the 4670K uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm node. This process shrink is the primary driver of the 7600T's efficiency advantage, though it also explains the dramatic TDP difference: the 7600T is rated at 35 W while the 4670K draws 84 W.

Both chips feature 4 cores and 4 threads, so there is no difference in raw thread count. The cache hierarchy is also identical in structure: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The 4670K's physical specifications are documented at 1,400 million transistors and a 177 mm² die size, while the 7600T's transistor count and die size are not provided in the data.

Memory support diverges significantly. The 7600T uses DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a documented memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The 4670K uses DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, but its bandwidth figure is not listed. This means the 7600T has access to newer, faster memory technology, which could contribute to its Cinebench performance in memory-sensitive rendering tasks.

The platform sockets differ, with the 7600T on Intel Socket 1151 and the 4670K on Intel Socket 1150. PCIe support is Gen 3 on both, but the 7600T specifies 16 lanes (CPU only) while the 4670K just lists "Gen 3" without lane details. Integrated graphics also differ: the 7600T has HD 630, while the 4670K has Intel HD 4600.

A notable feature distinction is the unlocked multiplier. The 4670K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the 7600T does not. This is a significant differentiator for enthusiasts, as the 4670K's 3.80 GHz boost clock can potentially be pushed higher, though the data does not include any overclocked benchmark results.

Where Each One Wins

The 7600T is the clear winner in rendering workloads. Its consistent 4.6% advantage across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both single and multi-core, makes it the better choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and other Cinebench-like tasks. The data suggests that even with lower clock speeds, the Kaby Lake architecture's efficiency delivers superior performance in these heavily threaded and instruction-heavy workloads.

The 4670K wins in Geekbench tests, which typically represent a mix of real-world applications including encryption, image processing, and memory operations. Its 6.8% multicore and 4.3% single-core advantages in Geekbench indicate that its higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz provide tangible benefits in these workloads. The 4670K's higher clock speeds appear to overcome the architectural deficit in these specific tasks.

For power-conscious users, the 7600T is the obvious choice. Its 35 W TDP is less than half of the 4670K's 84 W TDP, which means significantly lower power consumption and heat output. This makes the 7600T suitable for compact builds or systems where thermal management is a priority, though the data does not include any thermal or power consumption measurements beyond the TDP ratings.

The 4670K's unlocked multiplier makes it the choice for overclocking enthusiasts. While the data does not include overclocked benchmarks, the capability itself is documented and represents a potential performance avenue unavailable to the 7600T. For users who value the ability to push their hardware beyond stock settings, this is a decisive feature.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-7600T has an average benchmark score of 1664, while the Intel Core i5-4670K averages 1656. The difference is 0.5% in favor of the 7600T.

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

A: The 7600T scores 4968 while the 4670K scores 4751, giving the 7600T a 4.6% advantage in this test.

Q: Does the 4670K win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the 4670K wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 3700 in multi-core versus the 7600T's 3447 (a 6.8% advantage) and 1302 in single-core versus 1246 (a 4.3% advantage).

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The 7600T has a TDP of 35 W, while the 4670K has a TDP of 84 W. The 7600T consumes less than half the power of the 4670K.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: No. The 7600T supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the 4670K supports DDR3 memory. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Is either processor overclockable?

A: The 4670K has an unlocked multiplier and is overclockable. The 7600T has a locked multiplier and does not support overclocking.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a nuanced picture with no universal winner. The Intel Core i5-7600T wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, all of them in the Cinebench suite, with a consistent 4.6% margin. Its 35 W TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient than the 4670K's 84 W TDP, and its DDR4 memory support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth gives it a modern platform advantage. For users primarily engaged in rendering workloads, video encoding, or any task that mirrors Cinebench's performance profile, the 7600T is the clear choice.

However, the 4670K's Geekbench victories cannot be dismissed. A 6.8% multicore advantage and a 4.3% single-core advantage in that benchmark suite indicate that the higher clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost) still matter in certain real-world applications. The unlocked multiplier adds a dimension of potential performance that the 7600T simply cannot access. For overclockers and users whose workloads resemble Geekbench's test mix, the 4670K remains a compelling option.

The overall average benchmark scores place these chips within 0.5% of each other, and both sit at the 40th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest-rival data shows they are effectively peers in overall performance. The decision ultimately comes down to workload priorities: choose the 7600T for superior rendering performance and power efficiency on a modern platform, or choose the 4670K for Geekbench-style tasks and overclocking headroom. The data does not support a definitive overall winner, only a clear division of strengths.