Intel Core i5-5300U vs Intel Pentium G4560T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-5300U and Intel Pentium G4560T are both dual-core, four-thread processors from Intel, yet they target entirely different market segments. The i5-5300U is a 15-watt mobile part from the Broadwell generation, while the G4560T is a 35-watt desktop chip based on Kaby Lake. Benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the Pentium dominates in Cinebench rendering workloads, while the Core i5 takes a commanding lead in Geekbench tests. The G4560T wins 5 of the 7 head-to-head comparisons, but the i5-5300U delivers the larger individual margins, creating a nuanced performance profile that defies a simple overall winner.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the data is the divergence between Cinebench and Geekbench scores. In all five Cinebench tests, the Intel Pentium G4560T emerges victorious with remarkably consistent margins. The multicore tests show a delta of approximately 10% across the board: the G4560T scores 256 versus 230 in Cinebench R15 multicore (a -10.2% delta for the i5), 1068 versus 960 in R20 multicore (-10.1%), and 2544 versus 2287 in R23 multicore (-10.1%). Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern, with the Pentium scoring 150 versus 135 in R20 single-core (-10%) and 359 versus 322 in R23 single-core (-10.3%). These are consistent, predictable margins that suggest the G4560T’s higher base clock of 2.90 GHz provides a structural advantage over the i5-5300U’s 2.30 GHz base clock in rendering tasks.

The Geekbench results tell a completely different story. The Intel Core i5-5300U wins both Geekbench tests by substantial margins. In Geekbench multicore, the i5 scores 1540 against the G4560T’s 1237, a 24.5% advantage. The single-core gap is even more pronounced: 791 versus 594, giving the i5 a 33.2% lead. This inversion is striking — the same two processors that are nearly tied in Cinebench show a massive gulf in Geekbench. The data suggests that the i5-5300U’s architecture handles Geekbench’s workload patterns far more efficiently, despite its lower clock speeds. The 33.2% single-core delta is the largest margin in any comparison between these two chips.

Looking at the broader benchmark context, the two processors sit at nearly identical average scores. The i5-5300U has an average benchmark score of 895, while the G4560T scores 887. Both occupy the 24th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they perform roughly equivalently in aggregate. The i5-5300U’s nearest rival is the Intel Pentium G4600T with a 0% delta, while the G4560T’s closest competitor is the AMD PRO A8-8650B at 0% delta. Both chips also trail the Intel Core i3-6100 by less than 1% in their respective rival lists, indicating they occupy a tightly contested performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-5300U edges out the Pentium G4560T with an average benchmark score of 895 versus 887. Both processors rank in the 24th percentile among all CPUs, making them statistically equivalent in overall performance.

Q: Why does the Pentium G4560T win Cinebench tests while losing Geekbench tests?

A: The G4560T wins all five Cinebench tests by roughly 10%, while the i5-5300U wins both Geekbench tests by 24.5% and 33.2%. This divergence likely stems from the G4560T’s higher 2.90 GHz base clock versus the i5’s 2.30 GHz, which helps in rendering workloads, while the i5’s Broadwell architecture appears more efficient for Geekbench’s specific workload patterns.

Q: What is the largest performance margin between the two processors?

A: The i5-5300U holds the biggest advantage in Geekbench single-core, scoring 791 versus 594, a 33.2% lead. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the G4560T leads by exactly 10%.

Q: How do these processors compare to the Intel Core i3-6100?

A: Both chips are nearly identical to the Core i3-6100 in their rival lists. The i5-5300U shows a 0.7% delta versus the i3-6100, while the G4560T shows a -0.2% delta, meaning the i3-6100 sits between them in performance.

Q: Does the Pentium G4560T have a boost clock?

A: No. The G4560T has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and no boost clock listed, making it a fixed-frequency processor. The i5-5300U has a 2.30 GHz base clock with a 2.90 GHz boost clock, allowing it to reach the same maximum frequency as the Pentium’s constant speed.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The i5-5300U is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically the Broadwell-U codename, and belongs to the Core i5 (Broadwell-U) generation. The G4560T uses the newer Kaby Lake architecture with the Kaby Lake codename, part of the Pentium (Kaby Lake) generation. Despite this generational gap, both processors are manufactured on the same 14 nm process node at Intel’s foundry.

The i5-5300U has a transistor count of 1,300 million on an 82 mm² die size, while the G4560T’s transistor count and die size are not listed in the data. Cache configurations are identical: both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory support differs significantly — the i5-5300U supports DDR3 memory, while the G4560T supports DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the G4560T’s memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s compared to the i5-5300U’s 25.6 GB/s.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The i5-5300U provides PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the G4560T offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are different as well: the i5-5300U features Intel HD 5500, while the G4560T includes Intel HD 610. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. The i5-5300U was released in early 2015 and is end-of-life, while the G4560T was released in early 2017 and remains active in production.

Specification Differences

The most significant specification difference is thermal design power. The i5-5300U consumes 15 watts, while the G4560T consumes 35 watts — more than double. This reflects their target markets: the i5 is a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 1168 socket, while the G4560T is a desktop chip on the Intel Socket 1151.

Clock speeds differ in structure. The i5-5300U has a 2.30 GHz base clock and a 2.90 GHz boost clock. The G4560T has a 2.90 GHz base clock and no boost clock at all. This means the Pentium runs at a constant 2.90 GHz, while the i5 dynamically adjusts between 2.30 GHz and 2.90 GHz depending on workload.

Memory support is another key differentiator. The i5-5300U uses DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the G4560T uses DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe generations also differ: the i5 uses Gen 2 with 12 lanes, while the G4560T uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well — HD 5500 on the i5 versus HD 610 on the Pentium.

The i5-5300U has a launch MSRP of $315, while the G4560T has no launch MSRP listed. The i5’s part number is SR23X, and the G4560T’s is SR35T. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads, and both lack ECC support and unlocked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Pentium G4560T is the clear winner in rendering and compute-heavy workloads. Its consistent 10% lead across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests — both single-core and multicore — makes it the stronger choice for tasks that rely on sustained CPU throughput like video rendering, 3D modeling, and other Cinebench-style workloads. The fixed 2.90 GHz clock speed ensures predictable performance without the variability of boost behavior. Its active production status and desktop socket also make it a more viable option for building or upgrading a desktop system, particularly with DDR4 memory support and PCIe Gen 3 connectivity.

The Intel Core i5-5300U wins decisively in Geekbench-style workloads, where it leads by 24.5% in multicore and 33.2% in single-core. This suggests the Broadwell architecture handles integer and floating-point operations more efficiently than Kaby Lake in certain scenarios, even at lower clock speeds. The i5’s 15-watt TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient, drawing less than half the power of the G4560T. This makes it the better choice for mobile devices, fanless designs, or any application where thermal and power constraints are paramount. Its boost clock capability allows it to reach 2.90 GHz when needed, providing flexibility that the fixed-frequency Pentium lacks.

For users prioritizing rendering performance and desktop expandability, the G4560T is the stronger pick. For those needing efficiency, mobile compatibility, and superior Geekbench scores, the i5-5300U holds the advantage. The data shows a genuine split personality between these two processors — neither dominates across all metrics, and the choice ultimately depends on workload priorities and platform requirements.