Intel Core i7-860 vs Intel Pentium G4600T Comparison

# Intel Pentium G4600T vs Intel Core i7-860: A Benchmark Database Analysis

The Intel Pentium G4600T and the Intel Core i7-860 occupy very different corners of the desktop processor market, yet benchmark data shows they land remarkably close in average performance. The Pentium G4600T is a Kaby Lake generation part, built on the 14 nm process, while the Core i7-860 is a Nehalem architecture part on 45 nm. The database records an average benchmark score of 895 for the G4600T, placing it in the 24th percentile of all CPUs, and a nearly identical 886 average for the i7-860, which sits at the 24th percentile. Their proximity in the ranking makes the comparison interesting, especially when the newer, cheaper part trades blows with a former flagship desktop part.

The G4600T is a 2-core, 4-thread processor with a 3.00 GHz base clock and no boost, drawing 35 W TDP. The i7-860, by contrast, is a 4-core, 8-thread processor with a 2.80 GHz base clock and a 3.47 GHz boost, running at a 95 W TDP. The Pentium brings integrated Intel HD 630 graphics, while the Core i7 relies on discrete graphics (it has none integrated). Both support DDR4 (the Pentium) and DDR3 (the Core i7), with the Pentium featuring dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both use Intel sockets, but the Pentium is on Socket 1151, whereas the i7 is on Socket 1156.

FAQ

Q: What is the process node of the Intel Pentium G4600T?

A: The Intel Pentium G4600T is fabricated on a 14 nm process.

Q: What memory type does the Intel Core i7-860 support?

A: The Core i7-860 supports DDR3 memory.

Q: Does the Pentium G4600T have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes an integrated Intel HD 630 graphics solution.

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Core i7-860?

A: The Core i7-860 has a TDP of 95 W.

Q: What socket does the Pentium G4600T use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 1151.

The Verdict

From a data-only perspective, the choice between these two CPUs depends heavily on workload and platform. The Pentium G4600T wins all head-to-head Cinebench comparisons in the database: 1.2% in Cinebench R15 Multicore (262 vs 259), 1.0% in R20 Multicore (1092 vs 1081), 1.3% in R20 Single Core (154 vs 152), 1.1% in R23 Multicore (2602 vs 2574), and 1.1% in R23 Single Core (367 vs 363). It also leads the average score comparison with a 1.0% edge over the Core i7-860. However, that edge is largely a result of the Core i7's higher platform power draw and older architecture. The Core i7-860 has twice the cores and threads, a 45 nm process, 774 million transistors, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus 3 MB for the Pentium. The Pentium's advantage is its far lower 35 W TDP and newer 14 nm process. The Core i7-860 is end-of-life, while the Pentium G4600T remains active. For a modern, low-power desktop build with integrated graphics, the Pentium G4600T is the logical pick. The Core i7-860 belongs in a system that uses its extra cores and eight threads, where the older platform is acceptable.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Pentium G4600T comes in Cinebench R15 Multicore, where it scores 262 against 259, a 1.2% advantage. The margin narrows in Cinebench R20 Multicore: 1092 versus 1081, a 1.0% lead. Single-core tests show a similar pattern: R20 Single Core gives 154 vs 152, a 1.3% edge, and R23 Single Core gives 367 vs 363, a 1.1% delta. The i7-860's performance is close enough that the Pentium's lower TDP and modern process node make it the more efficient part in these tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several fundamental specification points. The Pentium G4600T uses dual-channel DDR4 memory, while the Core i7-860 uses dual-channel DDR3. The Pentium has a base clock of 3.00 GHz with no boost clock, the Core i7 has a 2.80 GHz base with a 3.47 GHz boost. Cache sizes differ: the Pentium has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per cores, plus 3 MB shared L3. The Core i7 has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with a larger 8 MB shared L3. The integrated graphics are present on the Pentium (Intel HD 630), while the Core i7 has none. The Pentium uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), the Core i7 uses Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Pentium is a 14 nm part, the Core i7 is 45 nm.

Architecture Differences

Architecturally, these are two different generations of Intel design. The Pentium G4600T is a Kaby Lake part, built on 14 nm and aimed at the desktop segment. The Core i7-860 is Lynnfield, a 45 nm Nehalem-based design. The Pentium is a 2-core/4-thread part with a 3.00 GHz base clock and no Turbo. The Core i7 is a 4-core/8-thread part with a 2.80 GHz base and 3.47 GHz boost. The Pentium's memory support is DDR4 with dual-channel and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i7 supports DDR3 dual-channel memory. The Pentium has integrated Intel HD 630 graphics, the Core i7 does not. The transistor count tells the story of the process node: the Core i7 packs 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die, while the Pentium's count is not listed. The Core i7's 8 MB L3 is double the 3 MB on the Pentium. Both use Intel sockets, but the Pentium uses Socket 1151, while the Core i7 uses Socket 1156. The Pentium was released on 2017-01-02 and remains active in production status, while the Core i7 was released on 2009-09-07 and is end-of-life. The product numbers are SR35R for the Pentium and SLBJJ for the Core i7.