Intel Core i5-5350U vs Intel Pentium G4560T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-5350U and Intel Pentium G4560T are two very different processors that serve different markets, yet they find themselves compared in the database due to similar average benchmark scores. The Core i5-5350U is a 15-watt mobile part from the Broadwell generation, while the Pentium G4560T is a 35-watt desktop chip from Kaby Lake. The recorded data shows a fascinating split: the Pentium wins in every Cinebench test, while the Core i5 wins decisively in both Geekbench tests. This divergence in results, along with differences in platform, memory support, and integrated graphics, makes this a nuanced comparison rather than a simple one-sided victory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is the complete separation between the two benchmark families. In Cinebench tests, the Intel Pentium G4560T wins all five recorded comparisons. The margins are remarkably consistent across the board, hovering around 13 to 14 percent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Pentium scores 256 against the Core i5's 221, a delta of negative 13.7 percent from the perspective of the Core i5. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a similar gap: 1068 for the Pentium versus 923 for the Core i5, a delta of negative 13.6 percent. Single-core results follow the same pattern. The Pentium scores 150 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 130 for the Core i5, a negative 13.3 percent delta. The Cinebench R23 tests reinforce this trend, with the Pentium scoring 2544 multi-core and 359 single-core, against the Core i5's 2198 and 310 respectively, both showing negative 13.6 percent deltas. The consistency of this roughly 13.5 percent advantage across all Cinebench variants suggests a fundamental throughput advantage for the Pentium in this workload, likely tied to its higher base clock of 2.90 GHz compared to the Core i5's 1.80 GHz base clock.

However, the Geekbench results tell a completely different story. The Intel Core i5-5350U wins both Geekbench tests by substantial margins. In Geekbench multi-core, the Core i5 scores 1671 against the Pentium's 1237, giving the Core i5 a 35.1 percent advantage. The single-core result is even more lopsided: 868 for the Core i5 versus 594 for the Pentium, a 46.1 percent lead. This is a dramatic reversal from the Cinebench results. The Core i5's boost clock of 2.90 GHz matches the Pentium's base clock, but the Core i5 also features Intel HD 6000 integrated graphics, which may influence some workloads, and a higher memory bandwidth efficiency relative to its platform. The Geekbench scores indicate that the Core i5's architecture, despite its lower base clock, delivers significantly stronger performance in the specific operations this benchmark prioritizes. A 46.1 percent single-core advantage is substantial and suggests the Broadwell architecture has a significant per-clock efficiency advantage over the Kaby Lake Pentium in certain integer and floating-point tasks.

The overall win tally favors the Pentium, with 5 wins against 2 for the Core i5. Yet the magnitude of the Core i5's wins in Geekbench is far larger than the Pentium's margins in Cinebench. The Pentium's wins are all clustered around 13 to 14 percent, while the Core i5's wins are 35.1 and 46.1 percent. This means that in weighted averages, the two processors land nearly on top of each other. The database confirms this: the Core i5 has an average benchmark score of 903, while the Pentium has an average of 887. The nearest rivals for the Core i5 include the Intel Core i7-940 with an identical 903 score, the Intel Core i5-4258U at 902, and the AMD A10-7860K at 904. The Pentium's nearest rivals include the AMD PRO A8-8650B at 887, the Intel Xeon X5550 at 888, and the Intel Core i7-860 at 886. Both processors sit at the 24th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are in the same overall performance tier despite their very different benchmark profiles.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture of two processors that achieve similar overall performance through very different means. The Intel Pentium G4560T is the better choice for sustained multi-threaded workloads that resemble Cinebench rendering tasks. Its consistent 13.6 percent advantage across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests indicates that it will handle CPU-intensive rendering and encoding workloads more effectively. The Pentium's higher base clock of 2.90 GHz, with no boost clock listed, means it runs at that speed continuously under load, which suits long-duration workloads. It also supports DDR4 memory with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, which is higher than the Core i5's 29.9 GB/s with DDR3. For users building a desktop system focused on rendering, the Pentium G4560T is the data-backed choice.

The Intel Core i5-5350U, despite its lower average score of 903 versus 887, is the stronger performer in Geekbench-style workloads. The 46.1 percent single-core advantage and 35.1 percent multi-core advantage in Geekbench are too large to ignore. This suggests the Core i5 is the better option for applications that follow Geekbench's memory access patterns and mixed workload characteristics. Additionally, the Core i5 is a mobile part with a 15-watt TDP, making it suitable for ultraportable and low-power systems. Its integrated Intel HD 6000 graphics are more capable than the Pentium's Intel HD 610, which matters for light gaming and media tasks without a discrete GPU. The Core i5 also has a launch MSRP of $315, though the database does not list a launch price for the Pentium.

For most users, the choice comes down to platform and workload. If the task is rendering in Cinebench-style applications and the system is a desktop, the Pentium G4560T is the safer pick. If the workload resembles Geekbench's test suite, or if low power consumption and mobile operation are priorities, the Core i5-5350U is the better fit. The two processors are so closely matched in average score that neither has a universal claim to superiority. The 24th percentile ranking for both reinforces this: they are peers in the overall performance distribution, with strengths in different areas.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-5350U has an average benchmark score of 903, while the Intel Pentium G4560T has an average of 887. The difference is 16 points, which is less than 2 percent.

Q: Why does the Pentium win in Cinebench but lose in Geekbench?

A: The Pentium G4560T has a base clock of 2.90 GHz, which is higher than the Core i5's base clock of 1.80 GHz. This gives the Pentium an advantage in Cinebench's rendering workloads, where it wins by 13.3 to 13.7 percent. However, the Core i5's boost clock of 2.90 GHz and Broadwell architecture give it a 35.1 percent multi-core and 46.1 percent single-core advantage in Geekbench, indicating stronger per-clock efficiency in that benchmark's operations.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-5350U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Pentium G4560T has a TDP of 35 watts. The Core i5 is designed for mobile systems with lower power envelopes, while the Pentium targets desktop platforms.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-5350U and the Intel Pentium G4560T have 2 cores and 4 threads. They also share the same cache structure: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Pentium G4560T supports DDR4 memory, while the Intel Core i5-5350U supports DDR3. The Pentium also has a higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s, compared to the Core i5's 29.9 GB/s.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-5350U features Intel HD 6000 integrated graphics, while the Intel Pentium G4560T features Intel HD 610. The Core i5's graphics are from the higher-tier HD 6000 family, which is more capable for graphics tasks.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Core i5-5350U has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz, while the Pentium G4560T has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and no listed boost clock. This means the Pentium runs at a constant 2.90 GHz, while the Core i5 can boost up to 2.90 GHz under load. The TDP differs significantly: 15 watts for the Core i5 versus 35 watts for the Pentium. The sockets are different as well, with the Core i5 using Intel BGA 1168 and the Pentium using Intel Socket 1151. The memory support differs, with the Core i5 using DDR3 and the Pentium using DDR4. Memory bandwidth also differs: 29.9 GB/s for the Core i5 versus 38.4 GB/s for the Pentium. The PCIe support is different, with the Core i5 offering Gen 2 with 12 lanes and the Pentium offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics differ, with Intel HD 6000 on the Core i5 and Intel HD 610 on the Pentium. The market segments are different: the Core i5 is a mobile part, while the Pentium is a desktop part. The production status also differs, with the Core i5 listed as end-of-life and the Pentium as active. The release dates show the Core i5 launched on 2015-02-28, while the Pentium launched on 2017-01-02. The Core i5 has a launch MSRP of $315, while no launch MSRP is listed for the Pentium. The part numbers are SR268 for the Core i5 and SR35T for the Pentium.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and manufactured by Intel. The Core i5-5350U uses the Broadwell architecture with the codename Broadwell-U, while the Pentium G4560T uses the Kaby Lake architecture with the codename Kaby Lake. The Core i5 has 1,900 million transistors on a die size of 133 mm², while the transistor count and die size for the Pentium are not listed in the database. The cache layout is identical between the two: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Core i5 belongs to the Core i5 generation under the Broadwell-U family, while the Pentium belongs to the Pentium generation under the Kaby Lake family. The architectural differences extend to the memory controller, with the Core i5 supporting only DDR3 and the Pentium supporting DDR4, which explains the higher memory bandwidth for the Pentium. The PCIe controller also differs, with the Core i5 limited to Gen 2 and 12 lanes, while the Pentium supports Gen 3 and 16 lanes. These platform-level differences mean the Pentium offers a more modern desktop platform with faster memory and PCIe connectivity, while the Core i5 emphasizes power efficiency and mobile integration with its 15-watt TDP and BGA socket. The integrated graphics also reflect the generational and tier differences: Intel HD 6000 on the Core i5 versus Intel HD 610 on the Pentium.