Intel Core i5-4460 socket: LGA 1150

What the Core i5-4460 is

The Core i5-4460 is a mainstream Haswell quad for office and home towers on LGA 1150. Intel set four cores and four threads at 3.2 GHz base with turbo to 3.4 GHz. Six megabytes of Smart Cache back multitasking across work and study. Power is 84 W on 22 nm from May 2014. It is a volume chip where quad threads matter more than top clocks.

Four cores keep foreground apps smooth while updates and sync run behind. At 3.2 GHz with bursts to 3.4 GHz, everyday programs feel direct with an SSD. The locked multiplier suits fleets that prize stability over tuning. System builders pair it with H81 or B85 boards for balanced cost.

HD Graphics 4600 from 350 MHz to 1.1 GHz covers office displays. DDR3-1333 and 1600 in two channels to 32 GB feed the part. The 4460 is a plain Haswell workhorse with wide used market supply.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 4460 fits LGA 1150 on 8 series boards such as H81, B85, H87 and Z87, and on 9 series boards such as H97 and Z97. Haswell is native on both series, so boards run it from shipping BIOS in most cases. Check the maker CPU page for the exact revision when reusing OEM boards.

Mounting is 75 × 75 mm for stock and tower coolers. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide shows fits. Chips for LGA 1155 or LGA 1151 never fit. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers chipset choice.

H81 is the price match with two memory slots. B85 adds ports for offices. Z boards work but add tuning this locked chip cannot use.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

DDR3-1333 and 1600 across two channels to 32 GB is the memory envelope. Eight gigabytes suits office images. Dual channel pairs aid graphics in calls. Faster DDR3 kits can run via XMP on Z boards per manual.

Sixteen PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU feed one x16 slot. Most 4460 PCs use integrated video or a basic card. Chipset lanes add SATA and USB for storage. Board manuals show slot sharing with adapters on 9 series.

Boxed 84 W cooling handles 3.2 GHz in towers with decent airflow. The FCLGA1150 package at 37.5 × 37.5 mm fits standard mounts. Keep cables clear of the fan for quiet use.

Upgrade paths

On the same socket the Intel Core i5-4590 at 3.3 GHz to 3.7 GHz adds clocks on identical boards and coolers. The Intel Core i7-4790K at 4.0 GHz to 4.4 GHz with eight threads is the large step where threads help, needing a Z board and better cooling. Both reuse DDR3.

A DDR4 build needs a new socket and board. The 4460 covers mainstream Haswell towers where 3.2 GHz quads suffice.