Intel Core i5-4670S vs Intel Core i5-6600T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-6600T and Intel Core i5-4670S are both quad-core desktop processors from Intel, but they represent different design eras. The 6600T is a Skylake part with a 35 W thermal envelope, while the 4670S is a Haswell part rated at 65 W. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the newer Skylake chip dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the older Haswell chip wins in Geekbench tests. This creates a nuanced picture for anyone choosing between these two end-of-life components.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the the recorded data is the how consistently the Intel Core i5-6600T leads in Cinebench tests. Across all six Cinebench benchmarks, the 6600T wins by a margin of ​6.3% to 6.7%. In the Cineebench R15 multicore test, the 6600T scores 478 against the 4670S's 448, a 6.​7% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 67 points for the 6600T versus 63 for the 4670S, a 6.3% lead. This pattern holds for the newer R20 and R23 versions. In R20 multicore, the 6600T records 1992 points, while the 4670S manages 1870, a 6.5% difference. The R20 single-core test shows 280 versus 263, again a 6.5% gap. In R23 multicore, the 6600T scores 4745 compared to 4454, and in R23 single-core it scores 669 versus 628. Both R23 deltas are 6.5%. The consistency of this margin suggests a fundamental architectural advantage, not just a clock speed difference.

However, the Geekbench results flip the narrative. The Intel Core i5-4670S wins the Geekbench multicore test with a score of 3300, while the 6600T trails at 3104. That is a 5.9% deficit for the Skylake chip. The single-core Geekbench test also goes to the 4670S, albeit narrowly, with 1184 points against 1172, a 1% margin. This is a curious inversion. The Cinebench tests, which are heavily reliant on raw processing throughput, favor Skylake. The Geekbench tests, which include a broader mix of memory and integer operations, favor Haswell. The data shows a total of six benchmark wins for the 6600T and two for the 4670S, but the two Geekbench wins are not trivial. They indicate that the 4670S is not simply obsolete; it retains strengths in certain workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing nodes and microarchitectures. The Intel Core i5-6600T is built on a 14 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-4670S uses a 22 nm process. This node difference is significant. The 14 nm process allows for lower power consumption, which explains the 6600T's 35 W TDP versus the 4670S's 65 W TDP. Both chips have 4 cores and 4 threads, so the thread count is identical. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core for both, and the L2 cache is 256 KB per core for both. The L3 cache is also identical at 6 MB shared. The die size is listed as 177 mm² for both, which is notable given the different process nodes.

The sockets differ. The 6600T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the 4670S uses Intel Socket 1150. This means they are not interchangeable in a motherboard. The 6600T supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the 4670S supports only DDR3. Both have dual-channel memory buses. The 6600T has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the 4670S has no memory bandwidth figure in the database. The 6600T supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the 4670S also supports PCIe Gen 3 but without a lane count specified.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The 6600T features UHD Graphics 530, while the 4670S has Intel HD 4600. The transistor count is only listed for the 4670S, at 1,400 million. The 6600T's transistor count is not recorded. The base clock speeds are different: the 6600T runs at 2.70 GHz, while the 4670S runs at 3.10 GHz. The boost clocks are 3.50 GHz for the 6600T and 3.80 GHz for the 4670S. This means the 4670S has a higher clock speed at both idle and boost, yet it loses in Cinebench. That points to the Skylake architecture's higher instructions per clock (IPC) being the deciding factor.

The release dates are also distinct. The 4670S was released in June 2013, while the 6600T was released in July 2015. That is a two-year gap in design. The 6600T is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the 4670S has no production status listed. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a feature of either.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data suggests a clear division of labor. The Intel Core i5-6600T wins in all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both single-core and multicore. Cinebench is a rendering workload that stresses the CPU's ability to process 3D scene generation. The 6600T's consistent 6.5% advantage in these tests indicates that for rendering, video encoding, or any heavily threaded computational task that behaves like Cinebench, the Skylake chip is the better choice. The fact that it achieves this while drawing only 35 W, compared to the 4670S's 65 W, is a strong indicator of architectural efficiency. The 6600T is delivering more performance per watt in these workloads.

The Intel Core i5-4670S wins in Geekbench, both multicore and single-core. Geekbench includes a wider variety of tasks, such as image processing, encryption, and memory operations. The 4670S's 5.9% lead in Geekbench multicore and 1% lead in single-core suggests that in mixed, everyday workloads, the older chip holds its own. This could be due to its higher base clock of 3.10 GHz versus 2.70 GHz, or it could be related to memory latency characteristics. The 4670S supports only DDR3, while the 6600T supports both DDR3 and DDR4. If a user pairs the 6600T with DDR4, the memory bandwidth is higher, but the Geekbench scores do not reflect that advantage. The data shows the 4670S winning despite its older memory standard.

For a user who prioritizes rendering and CPU-bound productivity, the 6600T is the clear winner. For a user who runs a mix of general applications, the 4670S might not feel slower, and in some cases it could feel faster. The average benchmark score in the database is 1563 for the 6600T and 1526 for the 4670S. The 6600T sits at the 39th percentile of all CPUs, while the 4670S sits at the 38th percentile. These are very close overall positions, confirming that neither chip is dramatically superior in aggregate.

The Verdict

The data points to a nuanced verdict. The Intel Core i5-6600T is the better processor for Cinebench-style workloads, winning all six of those tests by margins between 6.3% and 6.7%. It also does this with a much lower TDP of 35 W, making it a more efficient choice for compact or power-conscious builds. The 6600T also offers the flexibility of DDR4 memory support, which is a modern standard. If the primary use case is rendering, video editing, or any task that scales with multi-core throughput, the 6600T is the recommended pick.

The Intel Core i5-4670S, despite being older, wins the Geekbench tests. Its higher clock speeds of 3.10 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost likely contribute to this. For users who run a broad mix of software, the 4670S may deliver a smoother experience in some scenarios. However, the 4670S has a 65 W TDP, which is nearly double the 6600T's power draw. It also lacks DDR4 support, limiting its upgrade path to older DDR3 memory. The 4670S's average benchmark score of 1526 is lower than the 6600T's 1563, so on aggregate, the Skylake chip edges ahead.

The nearest rivals in the database provide context. The 6600T's closest competitor is the Intel Core i3-8300, with an average score of 1564, a delta of -0.1%. The 4670S's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-7440HQ, with an average score of 1527, a delta of 0%. This means the 6600T is essentially tied with a newer i3, while the 4670S is tied with a mobile i5. The 6600T's position among rivals is slightly higher, reinforcing that it is the more capable chip overall.

For a new build, the 6600T is the logical choice due to its lower power draw, newer architecture, and DDR4 support. For a user upgrading an existing Socket 1150 system, the 4670S could be a drop-in replacement, but the data does not show it as a superior performer. The verdict is clear: the 6600T wins on efficiency and rendering, while the 4670S wins on Geekbench mixed workloads. Choose based on the workload, but the 6600T has the better overall profile.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670S has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-6600T has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-6600T support DDR4 memory?

A: Yes, the 6600T supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the 4670S supports only DDR3.

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

A: The 6600T has a TDP of 35 W, while the 4670S has a TDP of 65 W.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The 6600T wins with a score of 4745, compared to the 4670S's 4454, a 6.5% difference.

Q: Are both processors quad-core?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which chip has a higher Geekbench multicore score?

A: The 4670S scores 3300, while the 6600T scores 3104, giving the 4670S a 5.9% lead.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The 6600T uses a 14 nm process node, while the 4670S uses a 22 nm node. The base clock is 2.70 GHz for the 6600T and 3.10 GHz for the 4670S. The boost clock is 3.50 GHz for the 6600T and 3.80 GHz for the 4670S. The TDP is 35 W for the 6600T and 65 W for the 4670S. The socket is Intel Socket 1151 for the 6600T and Intel Socket 1150 for the 4670S. The architecture is Skylake for the 6600T and Haswell for the 4670S. The 6600T supports DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the 4670S supports only DDR3. The 6600T has a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the 4670S has no recorded memory bandwidth. The PCIe support is Gen 3 with 16 lanes for the 6600T, while the 4670S is listed as Gen 3 without a lane count. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 530 for the 6600T and Intel HD 4600 for the 4670S. The transistor count is not listed for the 6600T, but the 4670S has 1,400 million transistors. The die size is 177 mm² for both. The 6600T was released in July 2015, while the 4670S was released in June 2013. The 6600T has a launch MSRP of $213, while the 4670S has no launch MSRP recorded. Both have 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, and 6 MB shared L3 cache. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.