CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4440 and Intel Core i3-7320 occupy nearly identical positions in the benchmark hierarchy, with average scores of 1179 and 1173 respectively, a difference of only 0.5%. Both processors sit at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs, meaning they outperform roughly a third of the desktop processors in the database. Despite the i3-7320 being a newer Kaby Lake part with a much higher base clock, the older Haswell i5-4440 edges out a win in every single Cinebench test, though by margins so slim they border on statistical noise. This is a fascinating case where architectural generation and core count trade blows, leaving the two chips functionally equivalent in raw rendering performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440 leads with an average benchmark score of 1179, compared to 1173 for the Intel Core i3-7320. The delta between them is a mere 0.5%, placing them as direct competitors in the database’s performance rankings.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The i5-4440 scores 4077 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the i3-7320 scores 4057. That is a 0.5% advantage for the i5, a difference of just 20 points, which is well within typical run-to-run variance for this workload.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R20?

A: The i5-4440 scores 241 in Cinebench R20 single-core, while the i3-7320 scores 240. The i5 leads by 0.4%, a single point. The two are effectively tied in single-threaded rendering.

Q: Does the i3-7320 have a higher clock speed than the i5-4440?

A: Yes, the i3-7320 has a base clock of 4.10 GHz with no boost clock listed, while the i5-4440 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. Despite this 1.0 GHz base clock advantage for the i3, it still loses every benchmark head-to-head.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations for each processor?

A: The i5-4440 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the i3-7320 has 2 physical cores and 4 threads due to Hyper-Threading. The i5’s two extra physical cores appear to offset the i3’s clock speed advantage.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i5-4440 features 6 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the i3-7320 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5’s 2 MB cache advantage may contribute to its slight edge in multi-core workloads.

The Verdict

The data paints a picture of near-total parity, but the i5-4440 wins every head-to-head benchmark, taking all six tests. If the choice is purely about Cinebench scores, the i5-4440 is the pick, albeit by margins of 0% to 0.5%. The i3-7320 is not a loser in any meaningful sense, it comes within 0.5% on every test, but it never takes the lead. For users who prioritize the absolute top score in rendering workloads, the i5-4440 is the data-backed choice. However, the i3-7320 has its own appeal: it uses a newer socket (Intel Socket 1151), supports DDR4 memory, and has a significantly lower TDP of 51 watts compared to the i5-4440’s 84 watts. The i3-7320 is also marked as "Active" in production status, while the i5-4440 has no such status listed. Neither chip offers a compelling performance advantage, so the decision likely hinges on platform preference, the i5 with DDR3 and Socket 1150 versus the i3 with DDR4 and Socket 1151.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4440 scores 410 against the i3-7320’s 408, a 0.5% win. The R15 single-core test is a dead tie at 57 points for both, with a delta of 0%. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-4440 takes multi-core at 1712 versus 1703 (0.5% advantage) and single-core at 241 versus 240 (0.4% advantage). In the most demanding test, Cinebench R23, the i5-4440 again leads multi-core with 4077 against 4057 (0.5%) and single-core with 575 against 572 (0.5%). Notably, the i3-7320 has a 4.10 GHz base clock with no boost, while the i5-4440 boosts from 3.10 GHz to 3.30 GHz. Yet the i5’s two additional physical cores consistently compensate for the clock deficit, allowing it to win all six tests. The largest margin is 0.5% in four of the six tests, while the smallest is 0% in R15 single-core. For all practical purposes, these two chips are interchangeable in rendering performance, but the i5-4440 is the nominal winner in every instance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-4440 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-7320 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.10 GHz for the i5 and 4.10 GHz for the i3, with only the i5 offering a boost clock (3.30 GHz). TDP is a major differentiator: the i5-4440 draws 84 watts, while the i3-7320 draws just 51 watts. The i5 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i3 uses Intel Socket 1151. Memory support differs as well, the i5 supports DDR3, while the i3 supports DDR4. The i3-7320 lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-4440 has no bandwidth figure listed. Both support dual-channel memory and have ECC disabled. The i5-4440 has a 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the i3-7320 has 4 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The integrated graphics differ: the i5 has Intel HD 4600, while the i3 has Intel HD 630. The i5’s part number is SR14F, while the i3’s is SR358. Production status is "Active" for the i3, with no status listed for the i5.

Architecture Differences

The i5-4440 is built on the Haswell architecture, using a 22 nm process node from Intel’s foundry. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The i3-7320 is based on the newer Kaby Lake architecture, fabricated on a 14 nm process node. The i3’s transistor count and die size are not listed in the data. The i5’s codename is Haswell, while the i3’s codename is Kaby Lake. The i5 is part of the Core i5 (Haswell) generation, while the i3 is part of the Core i3 (Kaby Lake) generation. The i5 was released on 2013-08-31, while the i3 was released on 2017-01-02. The i5 has 4 cores and 4 threads, whereas the i3 has 2 cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach the same thread count. The i5’s L3 cache is 6 MB shared, while the i3’s is 4 MB shared. Both have identical L1 and L2 cache sizes per core. The i5 supports PCIe Gen 3, while the i3 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The i5 has no listed memory bandwidth, but the i3 lists 38.4 GB/s. The i5 uses Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the i3 uses Intel HD 630. The i5’s process node is 22 nm, while the i3’s is 14 nm, representing a full generation shrink.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4440 wins in every benchmark category, but the margins are tiny. Its biggest advantages come in multi-core tests, where it leads by 0.5% in R15, R20, and R23. The i5’s four physical cores give it a structural advantage in fully threaded workloads, allowing it to edge past the i3 despite the i3’s 1.0 GHz higher base clock. In single-core tests, the i5 wins by 0% to 0.5%, but the i3’s high clock speed keeps it competitive. The i3-7320’s wins are not in raw performance but in efficiency and platform features. It draws 51 watts versus 84 watts, making it a more power-efficient choice for compact builds. It supports DDR4 memory, which is a newer standard, and lists a specific memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i3’s Intel HD 630 integrated graphics are newer than the i5’s HD 4600. The i3 uses Socket 1151, which may offer a more modern upgrade path. For users who prioritize lower power consumption, DDR4 support, and a newer integrated GPU, the i3-7320 is the logical pick despite losing the benchmark race. For users who want the absolute highest Cinebench scores and can tolerate higher power draw and DDR3 memory, the i5-4440 is the winner. The data shows no scenario where the i3-7320 takes a performance lead, but its platform advantages make it a viable alternative for efficiency-focused builds.