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 i7-3612QM 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 i7-3612QM: 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

✅+0.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Costs $196 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 107.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.5 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i7-3612QM.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3612QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Core i7-3612QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,600 vs 2,614).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.3 vs 25.5 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4460S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4460S better than Core i7-3612QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3612QM is ahead with a 10.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4460S pulls ahead with 0.5% better Geekbench multi-core.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4460S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4460S is the better buy right now. Core i5-4460S comes in $196 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better Geekbench multi-core. The compromise is that Core i7-3612QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 107.0% better value on MSRP (25.5 vs 12.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-4460S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4460S vs Core i7-3612QM 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 i7-3612QM

The Core i7-3612QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,661 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4460S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3612QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-4460S versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3612QM — a 9.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-4460S (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-4460S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-3612QM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4460S scores 4,645 against the Core i7-3612QM's 4,661 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-3612QM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 847 vs 600, a 34.1% lead for the Core i5-4460S that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,614 vs 2,600 (0.5% advantage for the Core i5-4460S). Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-4460S	Core i7-3612QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+38%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,645	4,661
Geekbench 6 Single	847+41%	600
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,614	2,600

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4460S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3612QM uses FCBGA1224 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. 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 HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77 (Core i7-3612QM).

Feature	Core i5-4460S	Core i7-3612QM
Socket	LGA1150	FCBGA1224
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
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 i7-3612QM). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4460S) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3612QM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4460S targets Office Desktop, Core i7-3612QM targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3612QM rivals AMD A10-5750M.

Feature	Core i5-4460S	Core i7-3612QM
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4600	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Office Desktop	Mainstream Laptop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4460S was priced at $182, while the Core i7-3612QM came in at $378. On launch pricing ($182 vs $378), Core i5-4460S was $196 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4460S delivers 25.5 pts/$ vs 12.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-3612QM — making the Core i5-4460S the 69.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4460S	Core i7-3612QM
MSRP	$182-52%	$378
Performance per Dollar	25.5+107%	12.3
Release Date	2014	2012

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