Intel Core i7-4558U vs Intel Pentium G4560 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4558U and the Intel Pentium G4560 are two very different processors that happen to share the same core and thread counts. Both feature 2 cores and 4 threads, but the data shows a clear performance hierarchy between them. The Pentium G4560, a desktop Kaby Lake part, decisively outperforms the mobile Haswell-based Core i7-4558U across every benchmark in the dataset, even though both processors land in the same 28th percentile of all CPUs. The performance gap is consistent and significant, hovering around 15% in the Pentium’s favor in all tested workloads, which makes the architectural and market segment differences between the two particularly instructive.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Pentium G4560 compare to the Intel Core i7-4558U in multi-core performance?

A: The Pentium G4560 wins all multi-core benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15, it scores 301 versus 255 for the Core i7-4558U, a 15.3% advantage. In Cinebench R20, the Pentium scores 1258 against 1063, a 15.5% lead. The delta remains nearly identical in Cinebench R23, where the Pentium scores 2996 versus 2532.

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Pentium G4560 is clearly ahead in single-core tests. It scores 177 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 149 for the Core i7-4558U, a 15.8% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Pentium scores 423 against 357, a 15.6% advantage. The Core i7-4558U does not win a single benchmark in the head-to-head data.

Q: What are the architectural differences between these two CPUs?

A: The Core i7-4558U is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process, while the Pentium G4560 uses the newer Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process. The Core i7-4558U is a mobile part (Haswell-ULT) with a 28W TDP, whereas the Pentium G4560 is a desktop processor with a 51W TDP. They also use different sockets: BGA 1168 for the Core i7 and Socket 1151 for the Pentium.

Q: How do their cache configurations differ?

A: Both have the same L1 and L2 cache sizes per core (64 KB and 256 KB, respectively). However, the Core i7-4558U has a larger shared L3 cache of 4 MB, while the Pentium G4560 has 3 MB. This is one of the few specifications where the Core i7 part has a theoretical advantage, though it does not translate into benchmark wins.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: No, both the Intel Core i7-4558U and the Intel Pentium G4560 have ECC memory support set to false. Neither processor offers error-correcting code memory functionality.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Core i7-4558U has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1038, compared to 1031 for the Pentium G4560. However, this aggregate figure includes Geekbench scores for the Core i7 part, which are not available for the Pentium. In the head-to-head Cinebench tests, the Pentium wins every round.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial, reflecting different design goals and market segments. The Core i7-4558U is a Haswell-ULT mobile chip, fabricated on Intel’s 22 nm process node. It is built for the BGA 1168 socket, which means it is soldered onto a motherboard and not upgradeable. The Pentium G4560, by contrast, is a Kaby Lake desktop processor on the 14 nm node, designed for the Socket 1151 platform. This generational leap from 22 nm to 14 nm is a primary driver of the Pentium’s performance advantage, allowing it to achieve higher clock speeds within its power envelope.

Clock speed is a critical differentiator. The Core i7-4558U has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The Pentium G4560 has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz, but it does not have a boost clock; it runs at a fixed frequency. This means the Pentium’s base clock is already higher than the Core i7’s maximum boost speed, which explains its consistent lead in all benchmark categories. The thermal design power also differs significantly, with the Core i7-4558U rated at 28W versus 51W for the Pentium, reflecting the mobile versus desktop design philosophies.

Memory support is another clear separation point. The Core i7-4558U supports DDR3 memory, while the Pentium G4560 supports DDR4. The Pentium also features dual-channel memory support with a specified bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, whereas the Core i7 part has no listed memory bus or bandwidth data. The Pentium also has explicit PCIe Gen 3 support with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i7 has no PCIe information listed. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the Core i7 featuring Intel HD 5100 and the Pentium using the more basic Intel HD 610.

The Core i7-4558U does hold an advantage in total L3 cache, offering 4 MB shared versus 3 MB on the Pentium. It also has a larger transistor count at 1,300 million and a die size of 118 mm², while the Pentium’s transistor count and die size are not listed. The Core i7 was released earlier, on 2013-06-03, while the Pentium launched on 2017-01-02. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are manufactured by Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Pentium G4560 wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with a consistent margin of approximately 15% across every test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Pentium scores 301 against the Core i7-4558U’s 255, a delta of -15.3% for the Core i7. This pattern continues in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Pentium scores 1258 versus 1063, a -15.5% difference. The same delta appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with the Pentium at 2996 and the Core i7 at 2532.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Pentium scores 177 while the Core i7-4558U manages only 149, a -15.8% gap. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a nearly identical margin, with the Pentium scoring 423 against 357, a -15.6% difference. Notably, the Core i7-4558U has additional Geekbench scores in its data set — 1967 multi-core and 941 single-core — but the Pentium G4560 lacks corresponding Geekbench entries, so a direct comparison is not possible for those tests.

The consistency of the delta across all five Cinebench tests is striking. Whether the workload is single-core or multi-core, and regardless of the Cinebench version, the Pentium G4560 maintains a lead of between 15.3% and 15.8%. This uniformity suggests a fundamental clock speed and architecture advantage rather than workload-specific optimizations. The Core i7-4558U’s larger 4 MB L3 cache does not help it overcome the Pentium’s higher base clock and newer process node. In the final tally, the Pentium G4560 records 5 wins, while the Core i7-4558U records none.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for performance: the Intel Pentium G4560 is the superior chip in every measurable benchmark. Its 3.50 GHz base clock, which exceeds the Core i7-4558U’s 3.30 GHz boost clock, gives it a decisive edge in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The consistent 15% lead across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests indicates that the Pentium’s newer Kaby Lake architecture and 14 nm process provide a significant generational advantage over the older Haswell design. Anyone seeking raw compute performance should choose the Pentium G4560 without hesitation.

However, the Core i7-4558U is not without its merits. It is a mobile processor with a 28W TDP, making it suitable for compact, power-constrained systems where the 51W Pentium would be impractical. It also offers a larger 4 MB L3 cache and support for DDR3 memory, which may be relevant for older platforms. The Core i7-4558U also has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1038 versus 1031, though this includes Geekbench data not available for the Pentium. For users upgrading a legacy mobile platform, the Core i7-4558U remains a viable option, but it is not competitive in raw performance.

The choice ultimately depends on the user’s platform and power requirements. For a desktop build where thermal headroom is available, the Pentium G4560 is the obvious pick, delivering a solid 15% performance uplift across all tested workloads. For a thin-and-light mobile system where the 28W TDP is a constraint, the Core i7-4558U serves a purpose, but users must accept its performance deficit. The Pentium G4560’s status as an active production part and its Socket 1151 compatibility also suggest a more modern and upgradeable platform. In a direct performance comparison, the Pentium G4560 is the clear victor.

Specification Differences

• Base Clock: 2.80 GHz (Core i7-4558U) vs 3.50 GHz (Pentium G4560)
• Boost Clock: 3.30 GHz (Core i7-4558U) vs None (Pentium G4560)
• TDP: 28W (Core i7-4558U) vs 51W (Pentium G4560)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1168 (Core i7-4558U) vs Intel Socket 1151 (Pentium G4560)
• Architecture: Haswell (Core i7-4558U) vs Kaby Lake (Pentium G4560)
• Process Node: 22 nm (Core i7-4558U) vs 14 nm (Pentium G4560)
• L3 Cache: 4 MB shared (Core i7-4558U) vs 3 MB shared (Pentium G4560)
• Memory Support: DDR3 (Core i7-4558U) vs DDR4 (Pentium G4560)
• Memory Bus: Not listed (Core i7-4558U) vs Dual-channel (Pentium G4560)
• Memory Bandwidth: Not listed (Core i7-4558U) vs 38.4 GB/s (Pentium G4560)
• PCIe: Not listed (Core i7-4558U) vs Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) (Pentium G4560)
• Integrated Graphics: Intel HD 5100 (Core i7-4558U) vs Intel HD 610 (Pentium G4560)
• Market Segment: Mobile (Core i7-4558U) vs Desktop (Pentium G4560)
• Production Status: Not listed (Core i7-4558U) vs Active (Pentium G4560)
• Release Date: 2013-06-03 (Core i7-4558U) vs 2017-01-02 (Pentium G4560)
• Transistors: 1,300 million (Core i7-4558U) vs Not listed (Pentium G4560)
• Die Size: 118 mm² (Core i7-4558U) vs Not listed (Pentium G4560)
• Part Number: SR188 (Core i7-4558U) vs SR32Y (Pentium G4560)