Intel Core i5-4670T vs Intel Core i5-6400 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i5-6400 and the Intel Core i5-4670T presents a split decision that depends heavily on which testing methodology is used. Across the recorded head-to-head tests, the i5-4670T claims victory in six of eight benchmarks, while the i5-6400 wins the remaining two. The margin of victory, however, tells a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

In the Cinebench suite, the older Haswell part consistently outperforms the Skylake chip. The i5-4670T scores 384 in Cinebench R15 multi-core against 364 for the i5-6400, a 5.2% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 54 versus 51, a 5.6% lead for the i5-4670T. This trend carries through newer versions of the test. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5-4670T scores 1604 while the i5-6400 manages 1517, a 5.4% gap. The R20 single-core result is 226 against 214, again a 5.3% difference. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern almost exactly: multi-core 3820 versus 3614 and single-core 539 versus 510, both showing a 5.4% advantage for the i5-4670T.

The situation reverses completely in the Geekbench results. The i5-6400 delivers a multi-core score of 3134 against 2563 for the i5-4670T, a commanding 22.3% lead. In single-core Geekbench, the i5-6400 scores 1048 versus 977, a 7.3% margin. These are substantial wins, and the multi-core gap in particular dwarfs the margins seen in the Cinebench tests.

What explains this divergence? The Cinebench results suggest the i5-4670T holds a slight but consistent edge in that workload, while Geekbench heavily favors the newer architecture. The i5-6400's average benchmark score of 1307 against 1271 for the i5-4670T reflects this mixed picture. Both processors sit at the 35th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar overall performance tier despite their different strengths.

When placed against their nearest rivals, both chips land in comparable company. The i5-6400 sits within half a percentage point of the AMD Opteron 6328 and the AMD Athlon Gold 7220U, and it trails the Intel Core i7-3770T by just 0.5%. The i5-4670T is similarly close to the Intel Atom x7425E and Intel Core i5-4430S, both within 0.2%, while it leads the Intel Core i3-1005G1 by 0.5% and the Intel Xeon W-2102 by 0.6%. These rival groupings confirm that neither chip separates itself dramatically from its direct competition.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-6400 records an average benchmark score of 1307, while the Intel Core i5-4670T scores 1271. The difference is roughly 2.8% in favor of the i5-6400.

Q: Does the older i5-4670T ever outperform the i5-6400?

A: Yes. The i5-4670T wins all six recorded Cinebench tests, with margins between 5.2% and 5.6%. These include R15, R20, and R23 versions in both single-core and multi-core configurations.

Q: Where does the i5-6400 show its biggest advantage?

A: The i5-6400 wins Geekbench multi-core by 22.3% (3134 versus 2563) and Geekbench single-core by 7.3% (1048 versus 977). The multi-core Geekbench result is its largest margin of victory.

Q: How do the two processors compare in power consumption?

A: The i5-4670T has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i5-6400 has a TDP of 65 watts. The i5-4670T is the lower-power part despite its Cinebench advantages.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The i5-6400 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-4670T uses Intel Socket 1150. They are not interchangeable between motherboards.

Q: What memory types do the two chips support?

A: The i5-6400 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i5-4670T supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The i5-6400 uses the Skylake architecture built on a 14 nm process, while the i5-4670T uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel, and both have a die size of 177 mm². The i5-4670T's transistor count is recorded as 1,400 million, while no transistor count is listed for the i5-6400.

Both processors feature four cores and four threads, so the threading model is identical. Cache configurations also match: each core gets 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache on both chips. The architectural differences therefore do not manifest in core count or cache hierarchy.

The integrated graphics differ between the two. The i5-6400 carries HD Graphics 530, while the i5-4670T features Intel HD 4600. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiator.

The memory controllers point to different platform expectations. The i5-6400 supports DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i5-4670T supports DDR3, and the database lists no memory bandwidth figure for it. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

PCI Express support also differs slightly in how it is recorded. The i5-6400 lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-4670T simply lists Gen 3 without a lane count. Neither supports ECC memory.

The release timeline separates the two by about two years. The i5-4670T was released in June 2013, and the i5-6400 followed in July 2015. The i5-6400 is marked as end-of-life, while no production status is recorded for the i5-4670T.

Specification Differences

The i5-6400 has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The i5-4670T has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and the same 3.30 GHz boost clock. The boost performance ceiling is identical, but the i5-6400 maintains a higher base frequency.

TDP is a major differentiator. The i5-6400 draws 65 watts, while the i5-4670T is rated at 45 watts. The i5-4670T is the more power-efficient part on paper, which makes sense for a T-series low-power processor.

The sockets are incompatible: Socket 1151 for the i5-6400 and Socket 1150 for the i5-4670T. Anyone upgrading between these two would need a different motherboard.

Memory support diverges as noted above. The i5-6400 uses DDR4, and the i5-4670T uses DDR3. The i5-6400 also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, a figure absent for the i5-4670T.

The integrated GPUs differ, with HD Graphics 530 on the i5-6400 and HD 4600 on the i5-4670T. Process nodes differ as well: 14 nm for Skylake versus 22 nm for Haswell. The transistor count is listed only for the i5-4670T at 1,400 million.

The launch MSRP is recorded for the i5-6400 at $182. No launch MSRP is listed for the i5-4670T.

The Verdict

The data does not declare a single winner, because the two processors excel in different benchmark families. The i5-4670T wins every Cinebench test by roughly 5%, which makes it the stronger choice for applications that resemble Cinebench's rendering workloads. The i5-6400 counters with a 22.3% Geekbench multi-core win and a 7.3% single-core win, indicating better performance in workloads that stress tests that resemble Geekbench's mixed integer workloads.

The i5-4670T buyers gain a lower TDP of 45 watts alongside those Cinebench wins, which suits builds where power draw matters. The i5-6400 offers a higher base clock of 2.70 GHz, but both chips boost to 3.30 GHz. The average benchmark scores place the i5-6400 slightly ahead at 1307 versus 1271.

Both processors sit at the 35th percentile among all CPUs, so neither is a performance outlier. The choice comes down to platform fit and workload. Socket 1151 with DDR4 support points to the i5-6400, while Socket 1150 with DDR3 points to the i5-4670T. The i5-6400's end-of-life status and recorded launch MSRP of $182 provide additional context, but the i5-4670T has no recorded launch price for comparison.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4670T is the pick for Cinebench-style rendering workloads. Its consistent 5.2% to 5.6% margins across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests show a clear pattern. The lower 45 watt TDP also makes it attractive for compact or power-conscious builds, provided the motherboard uses Socket 1150 and DDR3 memory.

The i5-6400 wins decisively in Geekbench, particularly in multi-core where its 22.3% advantage is the largest margin recorded between the two. It also holds a 7.3% single-core lead in that test. The higher base clock of 2.70 GHz and DDR4 memory support make it the more modern platform choice, and its average benchmark score of 1307 is the higher of the two.

For users with existing Socket 1150 motherboards and DDR3 memory, the i5-4670T is the natural fit. For those building on Socket 1151 with DDR4, the i5-6400 is the intended part. The benchmark data supports either choice depending on which workload matters more: Cinebench leans to the i5-4670T, Geekbench leans to the i5-6400.