Core i5-480M vs Core i5-460M

Core i5-480M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2011

Core i5-460M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-480M

2 / 4

1,327

+0.5%

1,321

0.0%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-480M is positioned at rank 6 and the Core i5-460M is on rank 7, so the Core i5-480M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-480M

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

111%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

109%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

100%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

100%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

99%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

95%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

91%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

91%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

89%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

82%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

81%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

80%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-460M

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

111%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

109%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

100%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

100%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

99%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

96%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

92%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

92%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

89%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

82%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

81%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

80%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

72%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-480M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-460M in both compute-intensive tasks (0.5% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-480M	Core i5-460M
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($77)	⚠️ Higher cost ($129)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-480M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 40% cheaper ($77 vs $129) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-480M	Core i5-460M
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+68%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($77)	⚠️ Higher cost ($129)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-480M Benchmark Check

Core i5-460M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-480M and Core i5-460M

Core i5-480M

The Core i5-480M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,327 points. Launch price was $81.

Core i5-460M

The Core i5-460M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,321 points. Launch price was $80.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-480M and Core i5-460M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-480M versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-460M — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-480M (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). Both are built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-480M scores 1,327 against the Core i5-460M's 1,321 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-480M. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-480M	Core i5-460M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.93 GHz+5%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+5%	2.53 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,327	1,321
Geekbench 6 Single	—	343

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to 1066 memory speed. Both support up to 8 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-480M) and HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-460M).

Feature	Core i5-480M	Core i5-460M
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1066	1066
Max RAM Capacity	8	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-480M) and Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i5-460M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-480M rivals AMD Turion II M620; Core i5-460M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Core i5-480M	Core i5-460M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	true

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-480M launched at $81 MSRP, while the Core i5-460M debuted at $80. At current prices ($77 vs $129), the Core i5-480M is $52 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-480M delivers 17.2 pts/$ vs 10.2 pts/$ for the Core i5-460M — making the Core i5-480M the 50.9% better value option.