Intel Core i5-4460T

The Intel Core i5-4460T is a 35-watt, four-core desktop processor from the Haswell generation, designed for low-power systems. With an average benchmark score of 1187, it sits at the 34th percentile of all CPUs, placing it in the lower-midrange tier for modern workloads. The data indicates a processor that prioritizes energy efficiency over raw throughput, making it a suitable candidate for compact or thermally constrained builds rather than high-performance computing.

How It Compares

The Intel Core i3-7320 is the closest rival, matching the i5-4460T with an identical average score of 1187 and a deltaPct of 0. This is a notable comparison because the i3-7320 is a newer, dual-core part with Hyper-Threading, yet it achieves the same aggregate performance. The benchmark results indicate that the i5-4460T’s two additional physical cores compensate for its significantly lower clock speeds, resulting in a statistical tie in overall throughput.

The Intel Core i7-8665UE also posts a matching average score of 1187 with a deltaPct of 0. This rival is a low-power mobile part with four cores and eight threads, yet the desktop i5-4460T keeps pace in the averaged benchmarks. The data suggests that the older Haswell architecture, despite its age, delivers comparable multi-threaded capability to a newer embedded-class processor when both are constrained to similar thermal envelopes.

The Intel Core i3-1005G1 trails by a narrow margin, with an average score of 1190 and a deltaPct of -0.3. This means the i5-4460T is actually 0.3% ahead of this Ice Lake-era dual-core rival. The results show that the i5-4460T’s four physical cores provide a slight edge over the newer but lower-core-count chip, even though the i3-1005G1 benefits from a much newer architecture and higher single-thread performance.

The AMD Opteron 6234 is another rival with a nearly identical average score of 1191, giving a deltaPct of -0.3, meaning the i5-4460T is 0.3% behind. This comparison is particularly telling: the Opteron is a server-class, eight-core processor from a different era, yet its aggregate benchmark performance lands within a rounding error of the low-power desktop i5. The data underscores how far efficiency-focused desktop chips have come in matching older high-core-count parts.

Power and Thermals

The i5-4460T carries a TDP of 35 watts, which places it in the ultra-low-power class for desktop processors. This rating is a defining characteristic of the part, as it enables operation with minimal cooling requirements. Benchmark data indicates that a capable air cooler, including a low-profile or stock-style heatsink, is sufficient to manage thermals under sustained loads, though the exact thermal solution is not specified in the data.

This 35-watt envelope is substantially lower than typical desktop processors of the Haswell generation, which commonly operate at higher power levels. The reduced TDP means the chip generates less heat, allowing for smaller chassis designs and quieter fan profiles. However, this efficiency comes at the cost of clock speeds, with a base clock of 1900 MHz and a boost clock of 2700 MHz, both of which are modest for a quad-core part.

The thermal characteristics imply that the i5-4460T is well-suited for all-in-one systems, home theater PCs, or small-form-factor builds where heat dissipation is a primary concern. The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics further reduces the need for a discrete GPU in basic configurations, minimizing total system power draw. The data does not include specific temperature readings, but the TDP class strongly suggests that even a basic air cooler will keep the processor within safe operating limits.

Benchmark Performance

In Cinebench R15 multi-core testing, the i5-4460T scores 312 points. This is a modest result, reflecting the processor’s low clock speeds and lack of Hyper-Threading. The score places it well below mainstream desktop quad-cores of its era, which typically achieve higher numbers due to higher boost frequencies. The single-core performance in Cinebench R20 is 183 points, while the multi-core score in the same test reaches 1300, showing a typical scaling pattern for a four-core, four-thread part.

The Cinebench R23 results continue this trend, with a multi-core score of 3096 and a single-core score of 437. The multi-core to single-core ratio of approximately 7:1 indicates that the processor scales reasonably well across all four cores, but the absolute numbers are low by modern standards. Geekbench testing yields a multi-core score of 2170 and a single-core score of 809, which aligns with the Cinebench data in showing modest computational capability.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the i5-4460T’s performance is essentially a dead heat. The 0% deltaPct against both the Core i3-7320 and Core i7-8665UE means that, despite architectural differences, the average benchmark scores are identical. Against the Core i3-1005G1 and Opteron 6234, the deltas are a negligible -0.3%, indicating that the i5-4460T is statistically indistinguishable from all four rivals in aggregate performance. This suggests that for general-purpose workloads, the choice between these processors would come down to platform features rather than raw speed.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-4460T uses the Intel Socket 1150 interface, which is compatible with the 9-series and 8-series chipsets from the Haswell generation. The processor is based on the Haswell architecture, manufactured on Intel’s 22 nm process node, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The socket has been discontinued, and the processor itself is marked as end-of-life, meaning new motherboard availability is limited to remaining stock or used markets.

Memory support is limited to DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration, with a peak bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, which positions this chip for consumer desktop use rather than server or workstation applications. The memory controller is integrated into the CPU, and the dual-channel setup is typical for desktop processors of this era, though it is now considered outdated compared to DDR4 and DDR5 platforms.

PCIe connectivity is provided via Gen 3, with 16 lanes available from the CPU only. This allows for a single full-bandwidth graphics card or multiple devices at reduced lane widths. The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics provides basic display output capabilities, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in non-gaming scenarios. For upgrade paths, users are limited to other Socket 1150 processors, but the end-of-life status of the platform means there is no forward compatibility with newer sockets.

FAQ

Q: How does the Core i5-4460T compare to the Core i3-7320 in benchmark performance?

A: The two processors have identical average benchmark scores of 1187, with a deltaPct of 0. This means their aggregate performance is exactly the same, despite the i3-7320 having fewer cores but higher clock speeds.

Q: What is the TDP of the Core i5-4460T and what cooling does it require?

A: The TDP is rated at 35 watts, which is an ultra-low-power figure. This implies that a basic air cooler, such as a low-profile or stock cooler, is sufficient to handle thermal loads, though exact cooler specifications are not provided in the data.

Q: What is the single-core performance of this processor?

A: In Cinebench R20 single-core testing, the score is 183 points, and in Cinebench R23 single-core testing, it reaches 437 points. Geekbench single-core performance is 809 points.

Q: Does the Core i5-4460T support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The processor supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Q: What is the socket type and upgrade path for this CPU?

A: It uses Intel Socket 1150, which is compatible with Haswell-generation chipsets. The processor is end-of-life, so upgrade options are limited to other Socket 1150 CPUs, with no forward compatibility to newer sockets.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the processor provide?

A: It provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU only. This supports a single high-bandwidth graphics card or multiple devices at reduced lane counts.