Core i5-4460S vs Core i5-6300HQ

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-4460S vs Core i5-6300HQ FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-4460S vs Core i5-6300HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-4460S

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i5-6300HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,645 vs 4,672).
❌Launch MSRP is still $182 MSRP, while Core i5-6300HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i5-6300HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-4460S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4460S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6300HQ better than Core i5-4460S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4460S is ahead with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6300HQ pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6300HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-6300HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-6300HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. Core i5-4460S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (25.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-6300HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4460S vs Core i5-6300HQ Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-4460S

The Core i5-4460S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,645 points. Launch price was $182.

Core i5-6300HQ

The Core i5-6300HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,672 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4460S and Core i5-6300HQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-4460S versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-6300HQ — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-4460S (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-4460S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6300HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4460S scores 4,645 against the Core i5-6300HQ's 4,672 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-6300HQ. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 847 vs 1,000, a 16.6% lead for the Core i5-6300HQ that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4460S vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6300HQ.

Feature	Core i5-4460S	Core i5-6300HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+6%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+26%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,645	4,672
Geekbench 6 Single	847	1,000+18%
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,614	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4460S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6300HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-4460S versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6300HQ — the Core i5-6300HQ supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6300HQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4460S) and HM170,QM170 (Core i5-6300HQ).

Feature	Core i5-4460S	Core i5-6300HQ
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i5-4460S) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6300HQ). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4460S) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6300HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4460S targets Office Desktop, Core i5-6300HQ targets Gaming Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6300HQ rivals A12-9730P.

Feature	Core i5-4460S	Core i5-6300HQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4600	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Office Desktop	Gaming Laptop