Intel Core i7-4600M vs Intel Core i7-4610M Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4610M and Intel Core i7-4600M are near-identical Haswell-based mobile processors, separated by a hair in most metrics. The data shows a clear, if narrow, overall victory for the i7-4610M, which wins six of seven head-to-head benchmarks. The only exception is Geekbench multicore, where the i7-4600M posts a surprising win. These are not chips that will ever be distinguished by a landslide; the largest delta between them in any test is just 1.4%.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-4610M’s dominance is consistent across every Cinebench iteration. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 277 against the i7-4600M’s 275, a 0.7% advantage. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore (1155 vs 1147, +0.7%) and Cinebench R23 multicore (2750 vs 2732, +0.7%). The single-core results follow the same trajectory: Cinebench R20 single-core shows 162 vs 161 (+0.6%), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 388 vs 385 (+0.8%). In Geekbench single-core, the i7-4610M again leads, 1024 vs 1018 (+0.6%).

The single benchmark where the i7-4600M comes out ahead is Geekbench multicore, where it scores 1930 against the i7-4610M’s 1903. That is a 1.4% swing in favor of the older chip, and it is the largest performance gap recorded anywhere in the comparison. Notably, this result runs counter to the Cinebench multicore trend, where the i7-4610M consistently wins by 0.7%. The discrepancy suggests workload-specific behavior: Geekbench's multicore test appears to favor whatever subtle advantage the i7-4600M holds, while Cinebench’s rendering workloads consistently favor the i7-4610M.

Looking at the aggregate benchmark score, the two chips are statistically inseparable. The i7-4610M averages 1094 points across all tests, while the i7-4600M averages 1093. That 0.1% difference places both processors at the 30th percentile of all CPUs, and each appears in the other’s nearestRivals list with a deltaPct of -0.1%. In the broader context, the i7-4610M’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-3470S (avg score 1095, -0.1%), while the i7-4600M sits next to the Intel Core i7-10510Y (avg score 1092, +0.1%). These are effectively tied parts.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i7-4610M is the faster processor in the majority of tests, but the margin is so thin that real-world differences would be imperceptible. Six wins out of seven benchmarks is a decisive count, yet the largest single victory is only 0.8% (Cinebench R23 single-core). The i7-4600M’s lone win in Geekbench multicore is actually the biggest delta in either direction at 1.4%, which complicates any narrative of total dominance.

For users prioritizing rendering or CPU-bound productivity tasks, the i7-4610M is the pick. Its Cinebench wins, though narrow, are consistent across three generations of the test (R15, R20, R23). For users whose workloads resemble Geekbench’s multicore pattern, the i7-4600M offers a slight edge. However, neither chip should be chosen over the other for a specific killer feature — there is none. The i7-4610M is simply the safer bet if you want to win the most head-to-head comparisons.

From a platform perspective, both chips share identical specifications: 2 cores, 4 threads, 37W TDP, Intel Socket G3, Haswell architecture, 22nm process, 4MB shared L3 cache, and Intel HD 4600 graphics. The only meaningful differences are clock speeds and release timing. The i7-4610M boosts 100 MHz higher (3.70 GHz vs 3.60 GHz) and has a 100 MHz higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.90 GHz). It also launched five months later, in January 2014 versus August 2013. Both carry the same $346 launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-4610M wins in every Cinebench test, which means it is the better choice for rendering, video encoding, and other sustained multi-threaded workloads that Cinebench models. Its single-core Cinebench wins also suggest an edge in lightly-threaded performance, though the 0.6-0.8% margins are minimal. The Geekbench single-core result (1024 vs 1018) reinforces this: the i7-4610M is consistently ahead in single-threaded scenarios.

The i7-4600M wins exactly one benchmark: Geekbench multicore. This is a peculiar result because Geekbench multicore should theoretically favor the chip with higher clocks, which is the i7-4610M. The 1930 vs 1903 score suggests that the i7-4600M’s memory or cache behavior interacts better with Geekbench’s specific workload mix. If a user’s primary application suite is closer to Geekbench than Cinebench, the i7-4600M could deliver slightly better multi-threaded throughput. But this is a single data point against six.

Architecturally, both chips are built on the same 22nm Haswell design with 960 million transistors on a 131 mm² die. They share identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Both support DDR3 dual-channel memory with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both lack ECC support. PCIe connectivity is identical at Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both are marked as end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster overall?

A: The Intel Core i7-4610M wins 6 of 7 head-to-head benchmarks. Its average benchmark score is 1094 versus 1093 for the i7-4600M, a 0.1% difference. The i7-4610M wins all four Cinebench tests and Geekbench single-core, while losing Geekbench multicore.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench multicore, where the i7-4600M scores 1930 versus the i7-4610M’s 1903, a 1.4% difference. The largest win for the i7-4610M is 0.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (388 vs 385).

Q: Do these CPUs have different core or thread counts?

A: No. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads. They also share the same 4 MB shared L3 cache, 64 KB L1 per core, and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: Are there any clock speed differences?

A: Yes. The i7-4610M has a 3.00 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost clock. The i7-4600M has a 2.90 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost clock. The i7-4610M is 100 MHz higher in both cases.

Q: Which CPU was released later?

A: The i7-4610M was released on January 31, 2014. The i7-4600M was released on August 31, 2013. Both are now end-of-life products.

Q: How do these compare to other CPUs in the database?

A: Both sit at the 30th percentile of all CPUs. The i7-4610M’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-3470S (avg score 1095, -0.1% delta). The i7-4600M’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-10510Y (avg score 1092, +0.1% delta).

Architecture Differences

There are no architectural differences between these two chips. Both are built on Intel’s Haswell architecture using a 22nm process at Intel’s foundry. Each integrates 960 million transistors on a 131 mm² die. The cache layout is identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. Integrated graphics are the same Intel HD 4600 unit. PCIe support is Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers differ (SR1KY for the i7-4610M, SR1H7 for the i7-4600M), but this reflects minor production revisions, not functional changes.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets are nearly identical, with only three fields differing between the two processors. The base clock is 3.00 GHz on the i7-4610M versus 2.90 GHz on the i7-4600M. The boost clock is 3.70 GHz on the i7-4610M versus 3.60 GHz on the i7-4600M. The release date is January 31, 2014 for the i7-4610M and August 31, 2013 for the i7-4600M. All other specifications match: 2 cores, 4 threads, 37W TDP, Intel Socket G3, Haswell architecture, 22nm process, 4 MB L3 cache, DDR3 dual-channel memory, 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, Intel HD 4600 graphics, Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes, and a $346 launch MSRP. Both are end-of-life mobile processors with no unlocked multiplier.