CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4170 and Intel Core i5-4440 are both 22 nm Haswell desktop processors on the Intel Socket 1150 platform, but they are engineered for different segments of the market. The data shows a consistent and decisive performance advantage for the i5-4440 across all shared benchmark tests, despite the i3-4170's higher base clock speed. This head-to-head comparison reveals how core count and cache size outweigh raw clock frequency in modern multi-threaded and even single-threaded workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4440 wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with a remarkably consistent margin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-4440 scores 410 against the i3-4170's 306, a delta of -25.4% from the perspective of the i3-4170. This pattern repeats almost identically in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i5-4440's 1712 points dwarf the i3-4170's 1275, representing a -25.5% difference.

The most striking finding is that the i5-4440's advantage persists even in single-core tests, where the i3-4170's higher 3.70 GHz base clock should theoretically give it an edge. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-4440 scores 241 versus 180 for the i3-4170, a -25.3% delta. Similarly, Cinebench R23 single-core shows the i5-4440 at 575 points against the i3-4170's 429, a -25.4% gap. This suggests the i5-4440's architectural efficiency per clock, combined with its larger 6 MB shared L3 cache, more than compensates for its lower 3.10 GHz base clock.

Multicore scaling further amplifies the i5-4440's lead. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i5-4440 reaches 4077 points, while the i3-4170 manages only 3038, a -25.5% delta. The i5-4440's four physical cores provide a substantial throughput advantage over the i3-4170's two cores with Hyper-Threading. The i3-4170 does show a 33rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, identical to the i5-4440's percentile, but the average benchmark score tells a different story: the i3-4170 averages 1193 points, while the i5-4440 averages 1179 points, a narrow 14-point difference that masks the consistent direction of the head-to-head results.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Haswell architecture, codename, and 22 nm process node, with identical transistor counts of 1,400 million and die sizes of 177 mm². The fundamental difference lies in core configuration: the i3-4170 offers 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-4440 provides 4 cores and 4 threads. This means the i3-4170 relies on Hyper-Threading to simulate additional threads, whereas the i5-4440 has native physical cores.

Cache hierarchy diverges significantly. The i3-4170 features 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4440 doubles that to 6 MB. Both have the same 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per-core allocations, but the larger L3 cache on the i5-4440 allows for more data to be stored closer to the cores, reducing memory latency and improving performance in cache-sensitive workloads. This explains why the i5-4440 wins even single-core tests despite its lower clock speed.

Memory support is identical: both use DDR3 in dual-channel configuration. The i3-4170 specifies a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4440 does not have a listed bandwidth figure. Neither processor supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs slightly: the i3-4170 lists "Gen 3, 16 Lanes(CPU only)," while the i5-4440 simply lists "Gen 3." Integrated graphics also differ, with the i3-4170 featuring Intel HD 4400 and the i5-4440 featuring Intel HD 4600.

The i3-4170 has a TDP of 54 watts, notably lower than the i5-4440's 84 watts, reflecting its reduced core count. The i3-4170 was released on 2014-04-30 with a launch MSRP of $117, while the i5-4440 was released earlier on 2013-08-31 and has no listed launch MSRP. Both processors have locked multipliers, and their part numbers are SR1PL and SR14F, respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4440 is the clear winner in every benchmark category, making it the superior choice for almost any workload. Its four physical cores provide a 25% advantage in multi-threaded applications, as demonstrated by the consistent -25.4% to -25.5% deltas across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. This makes the i5-4440 better suited for video rendering, 3D modeling, and any productivity software that can utilize more than two cores.

Surprisingly, the i5-4440 also wins in single-threaded performance, with a 25.3% advantage in Cinebench R20 single-core and 25.4% in R23 single-core. This indicates that the i5-4440's larger L3 cache and potentially better per-core efficiency outweigh the i3-4170's 0.60 GHz base clock advantage. For everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light coding, the i5-4440 will feel noticeably snappier.

The i3-4170's only advantage is its lower 54-watt TDP, which makes it more power-efficient for basic systems where thermal output is a concern. However, in terms of raw performance, the i3-4170 does not win a single benchmark. The data shows that the i5-4440 is the better processor for gaming, content creation, and multitasking, while the i3-4170 is only preferable for minimal-power builds or when a lower launch MSRP is a factor.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields:

• Cores: 2 (i3-4170) vs 4 (i5-4440)
• Threads: 4 (i3-4170) vs 4 (i5-4440)
• Base Clock: 3.70 GHz (i3-4170) vs 3.10 GHz (i5-4440)
• Boost Clock: None (i3-4170) vs 3.30 GHz (i5-4440)
• TDP: 54 W (i3-4170) vs 84 W (i5-4440)
• L3 Cache: 3 MB shared (i3-4170) vs 6 MB shared (i5-4440)
• Memory Bandwidth: 25.6 GB/s (i3-4170) vs not listed (i5-4440)
• PCIe: "Gen 3, 16 Lanes(CPU only)" (i3-4170) vs "Gen 3" (i5-4440)
• Integrated Graphics: Intel HD 4400 (i3-4170) vs Intel HD 4600 (i5-4440)
• Release Date: 2014-04-30 (i3-4170) vs 2013-08-31 (i5-4440)
• Launch MSRP: $117 (i3-4170) vs not listed (i5-4440)
• Part Number: SR1PL (i3-4170) vs SR14F (i5-4440)
• Production Status: End-of-life (i3-4170) vs not listed (i5-4440)

All other fields are identical: both use the Haswell architecture, 22 nm process, 1,400 million transistors, 177 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, DDR3 dual-channel memory support, no ECC memory, Intel Socket 1150, and locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170 has a base clock of 3.70 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i5-4440's 3.10 GHz base clock. However, the i5-4440 also has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, which the i3-4170 does not have.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-4170 support ECC memory?

A: No, the Intel Core i3-4170 does not support ECC memory, and neither does the Intel Core i5-4440. Both processors support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the i5-4440 compared to the i3-4170?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, which is double the 3 MB shared L3 cache found on the Intel Core i3-4170. This larger cache contributes to the i5-4440's superior performance in both single-core and multicore benchmarks.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440 has a TDP of 84 watts, while the Intel Core i3-4170 has a TDP of 54 watts. The i3-4170's lower TDP reflects its fewer physical cores and is a key differentiator for power-sensitive builds.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440 scores 4077 points in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core i3-4170 scores 3038 points. This represents a -25.5% delta for the i3-4170, meaning the i5-4440 is approximately 34% faster in this specific test.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-4170 and Intel Core i5-4440 are based on the Haswell architecture, use the same 22 nm process node, and have identical transistor counts of 1,400 million and die sizes of 177 mm². The core differences lie in core count, cache size, and clock speeds.