Core i5-6260U vs Core i7-4600M

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 i5-6260U vs Core i7-4600M 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 i5-6260U vs Core i7-4600M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6260U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4600M across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,200 vs 3,204).

Core i7-4600M

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4600M better than Core i5-6260U?

Yes. Core i7-4600M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4600M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4600M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-4600M still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-4600M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-6260U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-6260U vs Core i7-4600M Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6260U

The Core i5-6260U 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 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,200 points. Launch price was $304.

Core i7-4600M

The Core i7-4600M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,204 points. Launch price was $346.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6260U and Core i7-4600M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-6260U versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4600M — a 21.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4600M (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-6260U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4600M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6260U scores 3,200 against the Core i7-4600M's 3,204 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-4600M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 979 vs 1,025, a 4.6% lead for the Core i7-4600M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i5-6260U vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4600M.

Feature	Core i5-6260U	Core i7-4600M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.9 GHz+61%
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,200	3,204
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	656
Geekbench 6 Single	979	1,025+5%
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,132

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6260U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4600M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6260U versus DDR3L 1600 MHz on the Core i7-4600M — the Core i5-6260U supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-6260U) vs 16 (Core i7-4600M) — the Core i7-4600M offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Skylake-U (Core i5-6260U) and Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i7-4600M).

Feature	Core i5-6260U	Core i7-4600M
Socket	BGA1356	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+33%	DDR3L 1600 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6260U) vs true (Core i7-4600M). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Graphics 540 (Core i5-6260U) and Intel HD Graphics 4600 (Core i7-4600M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6260U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-4600M targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-6260U rivals A12-9720P.

Feature	Core i5-6260U	Core i7-4600M
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Graphics 540	Intel HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	true
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	Mobile