Intel Core i7-4600U vs Intel Core i7-870 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4600U and the Intel Core i7-870 occupy the same 25th percentile in the global CPU performance distribution, with average benchmark scores of 931 and 928, respectively. This near-identical average places them within 0.3% of each other, yet the underlying benchmark results reveal a consistent and decisive pattern: the older desktop chip wins every single head-to-head test. The data presents a classic contrast between a low-power mobile part and a high-TDP desktop processor, where the final scores tell a story of architectural efficiency versus raw core-count advantage.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows a remarkably uniform margin of victory for the Intel Core i7-870 across all five shared tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-870 scores 271 against the i7-4600U’s 232, a delta of -14.4% from the perspective of the mobile chip. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7-870 posts 1132 versus 968, another -14.5% gap. This consistency is striking; the desktop processor does not merely win, it wins by nearly the same proportion in every workload.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-870 scores 159 while the i7-4600U manages 136, a -14.5% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the i7-870 at 380 versus 325 for the i7-4600U, again -14.5%. The uniformity of these margins across both multicore and single-core tests suggests the delta is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental throughput difference. The i7-870 wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, while the i7-4600U records zero wins.

The Cinebench R23 multicore result, with the i7-870 at 2697 and the i7-4600U at 2306, reinforces the trend. Even in a test that heavily favors multi-threaded execution, the gap remains at -14.5%. This is notable because the i7-870 has double the cores and threads of the i7-4600U — 4 cores and 8 threads against 2 cores and 4 threads — yet the performance advantage is not proportional to the core count. The i7-4600U’s newer architecture and higher per-core efficiency partially compensate for its halved core count, but not enough to close the gap.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the Intel Core i7-870 is the clear performance winner. It outperforms the i7-4600U by roughly 14.5% across every measured metric, from single-core Cinebench R20 to multicore Cinebench R23. For users who prioritize raw computational throughput in CPU-bound tasks, the i7-870 is the superior choice. Its 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with a 2.93 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost clock, deliver consistently higher scores than the i7-4600U’s 2 cores and 4 threads at 2.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost.

However, the verdict is not one-dimensional. The i7-4600U’s 15 W TDP versus the i7-870’s 95 W TDP represents a sixfold difference in power envelope. The mobile chip achieves 96.9% of the desktop chip’s average score (931 versus 928) while consuming a fraction of the power. The i7-4600U integrates the Intel HD 5000 graphics, whereas the i7-870 has no integrated graphics at all. For a system builder focused on a compact, energy-efficient platform, the i7-4600U’s performance per watt is disproportionately favorable. The data shows two different philosophies: the i7-870 wins on absolute performance, while the i7-4600U wins on efficiency and integration.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and market segments. The i7-4600U is built on the Haswell architecture, specifically the Haswell-ULT codename, using a 22 nm process node from Intel. It packs 1,300 million transistors into a 118 mm² die. In contrast, the i7-870 uses the older Nehalem architecture with the Lynnfield codename, fabricated on a 45 nm process. It contains 774 million transistors spread across a larger 296 mm² die. The newer 22 nm process allows the i7-4600U to achieve higher transistor density and lower power consumption per transistor.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is doubled on the i7-870: 8 MB shared versus 4 MB shared on the i7-4600U. This larger L3 cache likely contributes to the i7-870’s consistent lead in single-core tests, as it can hold more working data closer to the execution cores. The i7-4600U’s halved L3 cache is a direct consequence of its mobile design constraints.

Memory support is limited to DDR3 for both, with the i7-870 specifying dual-channel memory bus. The i7-870 also provides PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-4600U does not list PCIe specifications in the data. The i7-870 uses the Intel Socket 1156, a desktop platform, while the i7-4600U uses the Intel BGA 1168, a soldered mobile socket. The i7-4600U integrates Intel HD 5000 graphics, whereas the i7-870 offers no integrated graphics solution, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output. The i7-870 is marked as end-of-life production status, while the i7-4600U’s status is not specified.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-4600U has an average benchmark score of 931, while the Intel Core i7-870 scores 928. This places the i7-4600U 0.3% ahead of the i7-870 in the nearestRivals comparison.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i7-4600U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i7-870 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-4600U has a TDP of 15 W, while the Intel Core i7-870 has a TDP of 95 W.

Q: Does the i7-870 have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Intel Core i7-870 does not list any integrated graphics in the data. The Intel Core i7-4600U includes Intel HD 5000 graphics.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 single-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-870 wins with a score of 380, compared to the Intel Core i7-4600U’s score of 325, a delta of -14.5%.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-4600U uses a 22 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-870 uses a 45 nm process node.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-870 wins decisively in every benchmark category where both chips were tested. Its 5-0 head-to-head record includes wins in Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 multicore, R20 single-core, R23 multicore, and R23 single-core. The consistent -14.5% delta makes it the straightforward choice for desktop workloads that demand maximum CPU throughput, such as rendering, compilation, or scientific computing. Its 4 cores and 8 threads, combined with 8 MB of L3 cache, provide a solid foundation for heavily threaded applications. The 2.93 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost clock give it a raw frequency advantage over the i7-4600U’s 2.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost.

The Intel Core i7-4600U wins on every metric that does not appear in the head-to-head table. Its 15 W TDP makes it suitable for fanless or passively cooled designs, while the i7-870’s 95 W TDP necessitates active cooling and a larger power supply. The i7-4600U’s integrated Intel HD 5000 graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU in basic desktop tasks, whereas the i7-870 has no integrated graphics. The mobile chip uses the BGA 1168 socket, which is solder-mounted and suited for compact laptops or mini-PCs, while the i7-870’s Socket 1156 is a standard desktop socket with upgrade flexibility. The i7-4600U also comes from a newer architecture generation, Haswell, which provides better instructions-per-clock efficiency than the older Nehalem design.

In practical terms, the i7-870 is the pick for a stationary workstation where power consumption and size are not constraints. The i7-4600U is the pick for a portable, low-power system where the 14.5% performance deficit is an acceptable trade-off for a sixfold reduction in TDP and built-in graphics capability. The data does not show a single winner; it shows two processors optimized for opposite ends of the power-performance spectrum.