Intel Core i5-4460S socket: LGA 1150

What the Core i5-4460S is

The Core i5-4460S is a low power Haswell quad for budget efficient desktops on LGA 1150. Intel set four cores and four threads at 2.9 GHz base with turbo to 3.4 GHz. Six megabytes of Smart Cache serve office work and web multitasking. Power is 65 W on 22 nm from May 2014. It keeps quad threads where dual cores would stall background tasks.

At 2.9 GHz base the chip sips power in slim towers while turbo to 3.4 GHz covers single thread bursts. Documents, mail and browser apps feel smooth with an SSD. Four threads keep security scans from pausing foreground typing. The 65 W rating allows smaller coolers and quieter fans than 84 W quads.

HD Graphics 4600 handles office monitors without a discrete card. DDR3-1333 and 1600 across two channels to 32 GB feed cores and graphics. It is a value Haswell socket for schools and offices that need quads at low power.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 4460S drops into LGA 1150 on 8 series chipsets including H81, B85, H87 and Z87, plus 9 series chipsets including H97 and Z97. Haswell runs native on both series, so most boards need no BIOS change. Confirm the maker support entry for compact OEM boards that gate S parts by firmware.

Cooler holes at 75 × 75 mm take stock and low profile units. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide covers choice. Boards for LGA 1151 never accept Haswell. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide details series features.

H81 with two DIMMs is enough for this class. B85 adds USB and SATA for fleets. Either runs the 4460S at full speed.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

DDR3-1333 and 1600 with DDR3L variants in dual channel to 32 GB is the target. Eight gigabytes with an SSD covers office fleets. Matched pairs help integrated graphics in video calls. Low voltage support follows board design.

Sixteen PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU serve one slot for graphics or I/O. Most 4460S builds stay integrated. Chipset PCIe 2.0 lanes cover drives and peripherals. Slot wiring follows the board manual.

The boxed 65 W cooler suits 2.9 GHz in towers with normal vents. Slim cases want a low profile 65 W unit. The 37.5 × 37.5 mm package follows standard LGA 1150 mounting.

Upgrade paths

Within the socket the Intel Core i5-4460 at 3.2 GHz to 3.4 GHz is the standard power twin with higher base clocks on the same boards. The Intel Core i5-4590S at 3.0 GHz to 3.7 GHz is a small clock step in the same 65 W class. Both reuse DDR3 memory.

DDR4 needs a new socket and board. The 4460S holds budget efficient desks where 65 W quads are enough.