Intel Core i7-4558U

The Intel Core i7-4558U is a dual-core Haswell mobile processor from 2013, positioned at the 28th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 1045 places it in a tightly contested performance tier where it trades blows with desktop and older mobile parts. The data reveals a processor that was solid for its era but is now firmly in entry-level territory for modern workloads.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark results for the i7-4558U show a clear split between single-threaded capability and multi-threaded throughput. In Cinebench R23, the processor scores 353 in single-core and 2503 in multi-core. The single-core result is respectable for a 2.80 GHz base clock part, but the multi-core score reflects the limitations of having only two physical cores with four threads. The multi-core to single-core ratio of roughly 7:1 indicates that scaling from one to four threads is efficient, but the absolute ceiling is low.

Geekbench results reinforce this picture. The single-core score of 1028 and multi-core score of 1983 show that the processor delivers nearly double the performance when all threads are active, but both figures are modest by current standards. The Cinebench R20 scores tell a similar story: 148 single-core and 1051 multi-core. The R20 multi-core result is particularly telling, as it is only slightly above the R15 multi-core score of 252 when accounting for the different workload scales, suggesting that the processor's performance does not degrade under sustained load but also does not exceed expectations for its core count.

The average benchmark score of 1045 places the i7-4558U at the 28th percentile, meaning it outperforms roughly a quarter of all CPUs in the database. This is a low position, but the deltas to its nearest rivals are remarkably small. Against the AMD PRO A10-9700, the delta is 0 percent, meaning the two processors produce identical average scores. The same 0 percent delta applies to the Intel Pentium Gold G5620 and the Intel Core i5-6350HQ. The only nonzero delta is against the Intel Core i3-4160T, where the i7-4558U is 0.1 percent ahead. These negligible differences indicate that the processor sits at a performance equilibrium point where architectural differences and core counts cancel out.

The single-core benchmarks are more differentiated. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 353 score is competitive with many desktop parts from the same generation, but the multi-core score of 2503 is dragged down by the dual-core design. For workloads that rely on a single thread, the i7-4558U performs closer to its peers; for multi-threaded tasks, it falls behind processors with more physical cores.

How It Compares

AMD PRO A10-9700: This AMD part matches the i7-4558U exactly with an average score of 1045 and a 0 percent delta. The AMD PRO A10-9700 is a desktop processor, which makes the tie notable. The i7-4558U's higher clock speeds and newer architecture compensate for the AMD's additional physical cores, resulting in identical overall performance. In single-threaded tasks, the Intel part is likely stronger, but the AMD part may pull ahead in heavily threaded workloads despite the equal average.

Intel Pentium Gold G5620: The Pentium Gold G5620 also scores 1045 with a 0 percent delta. This is a modern dual-core desktop processor, and its parity with the older i7-4558U shows how far entry-level silicon has come. The i7-4558U's Hyper-Threading and higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz help it match the Pentium, but the Pentium's newer architecture and higher base clock give it an edge in burst workloads. The average score hides these nuances, but the data suggests they are effectively interchangeable for most applications.

Intel Core i5-6350HQ: This mobile quad-core processor scores 1046, just one point higher than the i7-4558U, with a delta of 0 percent. The i5-6350HQ has two additional physical cores, yet its lower clock speeds and older architecture bring it down to the same level. This comparison is a classic case of core count versus clock speed. The i7-4558U's 3.30 GHz boost clock allows it to win single-threaded tasks, while the i5-6350HQ should win multi-threaded tasks, but the average scores show that these advantages cancel out to within a rounding error.

Intel Core i3-4160T: The i3-4160T scores 1044, putting the i7-4558U just 0.1 percent ahead. This is a low-power desktop dual-core processor, and the near-identical scores suggest that the i7-4558U's mobile design does not significantly compromise performance relative to a desktop part in the same class. The i3-4160T has a lower TDP and likely lower clocks, so the i7-4558U's 2.80 GHz base clock and 3.30 GHz boost clock give it a slight edge. The 0.1 percent delta is within measurement noise, so these processors should be considered performance equals.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Core i7-4558U has a TDP of 28 watts, which classifies it as a low-power mobile processor. This TDP rating is typical for ultrabooks and thin-and-light laptops from the Haswell era. The 28-watt envelope allows for passive cooling in some chassis or a small, quiet fan in others. The 22 nm process node and 1,300 million transistors on a 118 mm² die contribute to the processor's efficiency, but the integrated Intel HD 5100 graphics also draws power from the same budget.

For cooling, a 28-watt TDP means that a capable air cooler is sufficient. This is not a processor that requires liquid cooling or a large heatsink. In a laptop, the cooling solution is typically a small heat pipe and fan assembly. The processor's boost clock of 3.30 GHz is sustainable under load, as the R15 and R20 multi-core scores indicate consistent performance without throttling. The data does not include specific thermal measurements, but the 28-watt TDP implies that the processor can maintain its maximum clocks in a well-designed chassis.

The dual-core design with four threads keeps thermals manageable even at boost clocks. The 4 MB of shared L3 cache is modest, which reduces the die area dedicated to cache and helps keep power consumption low. The processor does not support ECC memory and is limited to DDR3, which is consistent with its mobile positioning. The 28-watt TDP also suggests that the processor is suitable for fanless designs in some configurations, though the integrated graphics would likely be the limiting factor in such scenarios.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core i7-4558U is best suited for light productivity and everyday computing tasks. The single-core score of 1028 in Geekbench and 353 in Cinebench R23 are sufficient for office applications, web browsing, and document editing. These workloads are primarily single-threaded, which plays to the processor's strength of a 3.30 GHz boost clock. The 28th percentile ranking means that the processor will handle these tasks without noticeable lag, though it will not feel snappy by modern standards.

For gaming, the i7-4558U is a poor choice. The multi-core scores, such as 2503 in Cinebench R23, are far below what modern games require. The integrated Intel HD 5100 graphics is from 2013 and will struggle with any 3D title from the last decade. The processor's dual-core design also limits performance in games that utilize more than four threads, which includes most modern releases. Casual or older 2D games may run, but the data suggests that a dedicated GPU is necessary for any serious gaming.

Content creation is not a realistic use case for this processor. The multi-core score of 1051 in Cinebench R20 places it far below the threshold for video editing, 3D rendering, or heavy photo manipulation. These workloads benefit from more cores, and the i7-4558U's two cores will cause long render times. The 4 MB of L3 cache is also insufficient for large datasets. The processor can handle light photo editing and basic audio processing, but anything more demanding will expose its limitations.

The processor is best considered for basic office use, email, and web-based applications. The single-core performance is adequate for these tasks, and the 28-watt TDP makes it suitable for laptops that prioritize battery life over performance. It could also serve as a secondary or backup machine for lightweight tasks. The 0 percent delta to the AMD PRO A10-9700 and Pentium Gold G5620 means that users upgrading from those parts will see no performance change, while those upgrading from older dual-core processors may notice a modest improvement.

FAQ

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-4558U perform in multi-core workloads compared to its rivals?

A: The i7-4558U has an average benchmark score of 1045, which is identical to the AMD PRO A10-9700 and Intel Pentium Gold G5620 (0 percent delta). It is 0.1 percent ahead of the Intel Core i3-4160T, which scores 1044, and 0.1 percent behind the Intel Core i5-6350HQ, which scores 1046.

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

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-4558U scores 353. Its Geekbench single-core score is 1028, and its Cinebench R20 single-core score is 148. These results are competitive for a processor with a 2.80 GHz base clock and 3.30 GHz boost clock.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-4558U suitable for gaming?

A: The benchmark data indicates it is not well-suited for gaming. Its multi-core scores, such as 2503 in Cinebench R23, are low, and it uses the integrated Intel HD 5100 graphics. The processor sits at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, which is below the threshold for modern gaming performance.

Q: What is the TDP of the i7-4558U and what cooling does it require?

A: The TDP is 28 watts, which classifies it as a low-power mobile processor. This requires only a capable air cooler, such as a small heat pipe and fan assembly in a laptop chassis. It does not need liquid cooling or a large heatsink.

Q: How does the i7-4558U compare to the AMD PRO A10-9700?

A: The two processors have identical average benchmark scores of 1045, resulting in a 0 percent delta. This means they deliver the same overall performance, despite the AMD part being a desktop processor and the Intel part being a mobile processor.

Q: What memory does the Intel Core i7-4558U support?

A: The processor supports DDR3 memory. It does not support ECC memory, and it has a 4 MB shared L3 cache. The memory bus and bandwidth figures are not specified in the data.