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Intel Core i7 4600M Review | 78 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£310
  • Avg. price in US: ~$350
  • PassMark benchmark result: 3209
  • N. of physical cores: 2
  • CPU boost clock speed: 3.6 GHz

Intel Core i7 4600M review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

3.9

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

3.9

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Poor
3.9

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

3.4

Performance

18.0%

4.1

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

3.6

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

5.5

Power & Thermal

4.0%

7.1

Platform

1.0%

6.4

Integrated Graphics

Poor
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 2.5
    Gaming

    Score components:

    30.0%

    2.7

    PassMark single-core benchmark score

    25.0%

    2.8

    Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    3.4

    CPU boost clock speed

    17.0%

    1.6

    L3 cache

    8.0%

    1.0

    N. of physical cores

  • 1.3
    Video editing

    Score components:

    45.0%

    1.2

    Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    1.0

    N. of physical cores

    20.0%

    1.6

    CPU threads

    15.0%

    1.6

    L3 cache

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Intel Core i7-4600M is a high-end dual-core mobile processor based on the 22nm Haswell architecture, featuring a 2.9 GHz base frequency and a 3.6 GHz max turbo clock. It supports Hyper-Threading for four threads, 4MB of L3 cache, and integrated HD Graphics 4600 with a 37W TDP. Its main advantages include strong single-threaded performance for its era and vPro eligibility for enterprise security, though it is limited by having only two physical cores and being discontinued from modern driver support.

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i7 4600M

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

?

Performance

18.0%

?

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

?

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

?

Power & Thermal

4.0%

?

Platform

1.0%

?

Integrated Graphics

3.9
Intel Core i7 4600M has a technical score of 3.85 points, which is lower than that of 86.8% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
1.0
Intel Core i7 4600M has a popularity of 1 points, which is higher than 0% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

3.9

Overall score

40.0%

8.9

Price

5.4
Intel Core i7 4600M has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.4 points, which is lower than 88.4% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Processor type
What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.
When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

mobile
Intel Core i7 4600M belongs to the mobile processor class, which is more advanced than that of 7.3% of processors and equal to that of 48.6% of processors.
CPU socket
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

?
Chipset
What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.
When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

QM87, HM87, HM86
Intel Core i7 4600M supports QM87, HM87, HM86 chipsets, which is narrower compatibility than 57.9% of processors and equal to that of 1.5% of processors.
CPU architecture
What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

x86-64
Intel Core i7 4600M uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.7% of processors and equal to that of 98.3% of processors.
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N. of physical cores
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

2
Intel Core i7 4600M has 2 CPU cores, which is fewer than 79.3% of processors and equal to 20.6% of processors.
CPU threads
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

4
Intel Core i7 4600M offers 4 CPU threads, which is fewer than 67.3% of processors and equal to 26.6% of processors.
Threads per core
What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.
When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

2
Intel Core i7 4600M offers 2 threads per core, which is more than 30.4% of processors and equal to 69.6% of processors.
CPU boost clock speed
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

3.6 GHz
Intel Core i7 4600M reaches a boost clock of 3.6 GHz which is lower than that of 76.7% of processors and equal to that of 3.6% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

2 x 2.9 GHz
Intel Core i7 4600M has a base clock of 2x2.9 GHz which is equal to that of 100% of processors.
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Semiconductor size
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

22 nm
Intel Core i7 4600M uses a 22 nm process node, which is older than that of 84.6% of processors and equal to that of 10.1% of processors.
Foundry
What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel 22 nm
Intel Core i7 4600M is built on the Intel 22 nm foundry process, which is less advanced than that of 84.6% of processors and equal to that of 10.1% of processors.
L3 cache
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

4 MB
Intel Core i7 4600M has an L3 cache of 4 MB which is smaller than that of 70.2% of processors and equal to that of 14.6% of processors.
L2 cache
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

0.5 MB
Intel Core i7 4600M has an L2 cache of 0.5 MB which is smaller than that of 84.8% of processors and equal to that of 15.2% of processors.
L1 cache
What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

128 KB
Intel Core i7 4600M has an L1 cache of 128 KB which is smaller than that of 83.1% of processors and equal to that of 14.9% of processors.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

DDR3L
Intel Core i7 4600M supports DDR DDR3L, which is older than that of 84.1% of processors and equal to that of 1.2% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

1,600 MHz
Intel Core i7 4600M supports memory speeds up to 1,600 MHz, which is lower than that of 87.3% of processors and equal to 11.3% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.
When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

1,600 MHz
Intel Core i7 4600M supports JEDEC memory speeds up to 1,600 MHz, which is lower than that of 96.6% of processors and equal to 2.1% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.
When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

32 GB
Intel Core i7 4600M supports up to 32 GB of memory, which is less than 71.9% of processors and equal to 19.5% of processors.
Show more
Integrated graphics
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Intel Core i7 4600M includes integrated graphics. 87.6% include integrated graphics.
Integrated GPU model
What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.
When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel HD Graphics 4600
Intel Core i7 4600M uses the Intel HD Graphics 4,600 integrated GPU, which is less advanced than that in 65.7% and equal to that in 2.9%.
Integrated GPU execution units
What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.
When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

20
Intel Core i7 4600M has 20 GPU execution units, which is fewer than 51.6% of processors and equal to 4.4% of processors.
Integrated GPU base frequency
What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.
When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

400 MHz
Intel Core i7 4600M has an integrated GPU clock of 400 MHz which is higher than that of 73.3% of processors and equal to that of 8% of processors.
Integrated media encoders/decoders
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

H.264 (HW decode/encode), JPEG (HW decode)
Intel Core i7 4600M supports H.264 (HW decode/encode), JPEG (HW decode) media codecs, which is narrower support than 60.6% of processors and equal to 0.2% of processors.
Show more
TDP (Thermal design power)
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

37 W
Intel Core i7 4600M has a TDP of 37 W which is lower than that of 51.4% of processors and equal to that of 0.3% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

37 W
Intel Core i7 4600M has a base power of 37 W which is lower than that of 51.3% of processors and equal to that of 0.3% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

46.25 W
Intel Core i7 4600M has a boost power of 46.25 W which is lower than that of 70% of processors.
Tau (power duration limit)
What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.
When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

28 seconds
Intel Core i7 4600M has a turbo duration of 28 seconds which is longer than that of 3.8% of processors and equal to that of 85% of processors.
Configurable TDP
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

no
Intel Core i7 4600M does not support configurable TDP. 52.9% support configurable TDP.
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Intel Core i7 4600M vs the average processor

  • 27% smaller die size
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower die size than the average processor (130 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
    What it is: The physical area of the processor die, usually measured in square millimeters.
    When it matters: When you are comparing chip scale, packaging density, or broader design differences rather than direct user-visible performance.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <150 mm²

    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower die size than the average processor (130 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².130 mm² vs 178 mm²
  • 27.7% lower boost power
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (46.3 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
    What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
    When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <50 W

    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (46.3 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.46.25 W vs 64 W
  • 16.7% more L3 per core
    Intel Core i7 4600M has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1,714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1,714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
    What it is: The amount of L3 cache effectively available per CPU core.
    When it matters: When you are comparing how much shared cache each core can draw on in deeper technical analysis.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=2 MB/core

    Intel Core i7 4600M has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1,714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1,714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.2 MB/core vs 1,714 MB/core
  • 27% smaller die size
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower die size than the average processor (130 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
  • 16.7% more L3 per core
    Intel Core i7 4600M has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1,714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1,714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
  • 27.7% lower boost power
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (46.3 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.

Total
Cache & Architecture
Power & Thermal
  • 7 year/s older release date
    Intel Core i7 4600M has an older release date than the average processor (2013 vs 2020).
    September 2,013
  • No crypto acceleration
    Intel Core i7 4600M does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
  • Older TPM support
    Intel Core i7 4600M supports an older TPM version than the average processor (TPM 1.2 vs PTT 2.0).
  • Narrower instruction support
    Intel Core i7 4600M supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
  • 4 fewer CPU cores
    Intel Core i7 4600M has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (2 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
  • 79% lower multi-core score
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (1,005 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
  • 16.3% lower boost clock
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.6 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
  • 24.9% weaker single-core performance
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,864 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
  • 31.7% lower single-core score
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,005 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
  • 69.5% lower PassMark score
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (3,209 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    Intel Core i7 4600M has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
  • 37.5% lower bus transfer rate
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower bus transfer rate than the average processor (5 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor offers bus transfer rate of 8 GT/s.
  • 37.5% lower bus speed
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower bus speed than the average processor (5 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor runs at bus speed of 8 GT/s.
  • 83.3% larger process node
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a higher process node than the average processor (22 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
  • 80% smaller L2 cache
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (0.5 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
  • 66.7% smaller L1 cache
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (128 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
  • 50% less L2 per core
    Intel Core i7 4600M has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
  • 50% smaller L3 cache
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower L3 cache than the average processor (4 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
  • Less advanced microarchitecture
    Intel Core i7 4600M uses a less advanced microarchitecture than the average processor (Haswell vs Kaby Lake).
  • 80.6% fewer transistors
    Intel Core i7 4600M has fewer transistors than the average processor (1 billion vs 4.95 billion). The average processor has 4.95 billion transistors.
  • Less advanced foundry
    Intel Core i7 4600M uses a less advanced foundry process than the average processor (Intel 22 nm vs Intel 14 nm).
  • 44.1% lower memory bandwidth
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (25.6 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
  • 45.4% lower memory speed
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (1,600 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
  • Older DDR support
    Intel Core i7 4600M supports an older DDR generation than the average processor (DDR3L vs DDR4).
  • 50% less memory capacity
    Intel Core i7 4600M has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (32 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
  • 75% less memory per DIMM
    Intel Core i7 4600M has fewer memory per DIMM than the average processor (8 GB vs 32 GB). The average processor supports 32 GB of memory per DIMM.
  • Narrower media codec support
    Intel Core i7 4600M supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (H.264 (HW decode/encode), JPEG (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).
  • No configurable TDP
    Intel Core i7 4600M does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
  • 4 fewer CPU cores
    Intel Core i7 4600M has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (2 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
    When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 8+

    Intel Core i7 4600M has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (2 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.2 vs 6
  • 79% lower multi-core score
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (1,005 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
    What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects multi-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
    When it matters: When you want a quick picture of multi-core speed in everyday mixed workloads, multitasking, and broadly optimized software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >8500

    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (1,005 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.1,005 vs 4,793
  • 16.3% lower boost clock
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.6 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
    What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
    When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4.7 GHz

    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.6 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.3.6 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
  • 83.3% larger process node
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a higher process node than the average processor (22 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
    What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
    When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: <10 nm

    Intel Core i7 4600M has a higher process node than the average processor (22 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.22 nm vs 12 nm
  • 24.9% weaker single-core performance
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,864 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
    What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >3200

    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,864 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.1,864 vs 2,483
  • 31.7% lower single-core score
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,005 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
    What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects single-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
    When it matters: When you care about snappy everyday performance in lighter apps, browsing, office work, or tasks that do not scale well across many cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2000

    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,005 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.1,005 vs 1,471
  • 69.5% lower PassMark score
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (3,209 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
    What it is: A benchmark score that gives a broad idea of overall processor performance.
    When it matters: When you want a quick overall performance comparison.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >19000

    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (3,209 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.3,209 vs 10,532.5
  • 80% smaller L2 cache
    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (0.5 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
    What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
    When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=6 MB

    Intel Core i7 4600M has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (0.5 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.0.5 MB vs 2.5 MB
Total
Overall
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Integrated Graphics
Power & Thermal

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i7 4600M and other processors

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i7 4600M?

  • Reliable performance for daily office work and web browsing
  • Turbo Boost technology effectively increases clock speed up to 3.6 GHz for intensive tasks
  • Supports Hyper-Threading, allowing its 2 physical cores to handle 4 threads for better multitasking
  • Includes integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 which is suitable for casual gaming and basic media tasks
  • Good value for money when found in refurbished or older laptop models
  • Hardware virtualization support improves performance for virtual machines

What customers dislike about Intel Core i7 4600M?

  • Only a dual-core processor, which struggles with modern, heavily multi-threaded applications
  • Integrated graphics are insufficient for modern AAA gaming or heavy video rendering
  • Considered an 'older' architecture (Haswell) that is no longer competitive with newer generations
  • Higher power consumption (37W TDP) compared to modern 'U' series processors can lead to shorter battery life
  • Limited overclocking potential due to its locked multiplier
  • Performance may be bottlenecked if not paired with at least 8GB of RAM and an SSD

Expert reviews

O
openbenchmarking.org
Historical Data
Intel Core i7-4600M Benchmarks, Linux Performance - OpenBenchmarking

The Intel Core i7-4600M is a 22nm Haswell-based, dual-core mobile processor released in late 2013, featuring a 2.9 GHz base frequency, 4 MB L3 cache, and a 37W TDP. While utilizing Hyper-Threading to support 4 logical threads, its performance is characterized by strong single-core speeds roughly 14% faster than low-power "U" counterparts, alongside support for AVX2 and FMA...Read more

C
cpubenchmark.net
Updated Daily
Intel Core i7-4600M @ 2.90GHz - CPU Benchmarks - PassMark

The Intel Core i7-4600M is a 22nm Haswell-based, dual-core mobile processor released in late 2013 featuring a 2.9 GHz base clock, 3.6 GHz boost, and Hyper-Threading. It provides strong single-thread performance, 37W TDP for standard laptops, and supports AVX2/FMA instructions, offering a significant jump over previous integrated graphics. However, as a legacy, dual-core chip with a...Read more

G
gobytes.nl
28/12/2021
Dell Latitude E6440 Review: A modest notebook with an excellent processor

A Gobytes.nl review characterizes the Dell Latitude E6440 as a durable, "not so chic" workhorse offering exceptional processor performance for its age, often surpassing modern budget options. Key advantages include a robust Tri-metal™ chassis, extensive connectivity (four USB 3.0 ports), and easy upgradability for RAM and storage. However, drawbacks include a heavy design, high...Read more

(Translated)Show original
A
asbascomputers.nl
15/05/2026
Refurbished Hewlett-Packard 650 G1 Laptops | Asbas - No. 1 in...

The HP ProBook 650 G1 is a 15.6-inch business laptop featuring an Intel Core i7-4600M processor, 8 GB of DDR3L RAM, and a 500 GB HDD, designed for durability and productivity. Key strengths include extensive connectivity, such as five USB 3.0 ports, DisplayPort, VGA, and a Serial port, along with security features like a fingerprint reader. However, the device is heavy at...Read more

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