Intel Core i5-2310 vs Intel Core i5-4440S Comparison

The benchmark data is unequivocal: the Intel Core i5-4440S outperforms the Intel Core i5-2310 in every single measured workload, with a consistent margin of roughly 19-20% across all Cinebench tests. The i5-4440S secures 5 wins, while the i5-2310 takes none. This is not a close contest; it is a generational leap made visible through concrete numbers, driven by architectural improvements rather than raw clock speed alone.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most telling result comes from Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5-4440S scores 3729 against the i5-2310’s 3118. That is a 19.6% advantage, the same deltaPct seen in the R20 multi-core test (1566 vs 1309). This consistency across multiple Cinebench versions indicates the performance gap is structural, not a quirk of a single benchmark.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-4440S posts 526, while the i5-2310 manages 440 — a 19.5% lead. The R20 single-core test shows a near-identical 19.6% gap (220 vs 184). These results are particularly significant because single-core performance heavily influences everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications.

The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test confirms the trend, with the i5-4440S scoring 375 versus 314 for the i5-2310, a 19.4% difference. Notably, there is no R15 single-core result listed for the i5-2310, so the head-to-head comparison relies on the R20 and R23 single-core tests, both of which show the same ~19.5% margin.

Looking at broader context, both CPUs sit at the 30th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy similar tiers in the overall performance distribution. However, the i5-4440S has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1078, compared to 1073 for the i5-2310. The nearest rivals for each chip underscore the narrow field: the i5-4440S is within 0.4% of the Intel Core i5-3335S (1083) and within 0.3% of the Intel Pentium Gold G6505T (1082), while the i5-2310 sits within 0.1% of the Intel Core i3-4170T (1072) and the Intel Core i5-5287U (1072).

The data suggests a clear hierarchy: the i5-4440S is not merely faster, it is uniformly faster by a wide margin that holds steady regardless of the workload type. The 19.4-19.6% delta across all five tests is a remarkably stable figure, pointing to a consistent IPC (instructions per clock) advantage rather than a frequency-driven spike in specific scenarios.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-4440S is the unequivocal choice for any user prioritizing raw compute performance. Its 19.6% lead in both Cinebench R20 multi-core and single-core tests makes the decision straightforward. The i5-2310, while not a poor performer in absolute terms, is decisively outclassed in every measurable way.

For multi-threaded workloads like video rendering or 3D modeling, the i5-4440S delivers a 3729 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 3118 for the i5-2310. That 611-point gap represents substantial time savings in long-running tasks. For single-threaded workloads, the i5-4440S’s 526 R23 score versus 440 offers snappier application responsiveness.

The only scenario where the i5-2310 might be considered is if platform compatibility is a constraint, as it uses the Intel Socket 1155 rather than the 1150 socket of the i5-4440S. However, from a pure performance standpoint, the data offers no reason to pick the i5-2310. The i5-4440S wins 5 out of 5 head-to-head benchmarks, and the margin is too large to ignore.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440S is faster in every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3729 versus 3118 for the i5-2310, a 19.6% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows the same 19.6% gap (1566 vs 1309).

Q: Is the single-core performance difference significant?

A: Yes, the i5-4440S leads by 19.5% in Cinebench R23 single-core (526 vs 440) and by 19.6% in R20 single-core (220 vs 184). This consistent single-core lead impacts everyday tasks that rely on one or two threads.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i5-4440S has an average benchmark score of 1078, placing it within 0.4% of the Intel Core i5-3335S (1083) and within 0.3% of the Intel Pentium Gold G6505T (1082). The i5-2310 averages 1073, sitting within 0.1% of both the Intel Core i3-4170T and Intel Core i5-5287U (both 1072).

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. The performance gap therefore comes entirely from architectural and efficiency differences, not from core count.

Q: What is the release date difference?

A: The i5-4440S was released in 2013-08-31, while the i5-2310 was released in 2011-05-21. The i5-4440S is the newer part by roughly two years.

Q: Which CPU is more power-efficient?

A: The i5-4440S has a 65 TDP versus 95 TDP for the i5-2310, meaning the i5-4440S delivers higher performance while consuming less power.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specifications. The i5-4440S has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the i5-2310 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. Interestingly, the i5-2310 has a higher base clock, yet the i5-4440S still wins all benchmarks, highlighting the architectural advantage of the newer design.

The sockets are incompatible: the i5-4440S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-2310 uses Intel Socket 1155. The i5-4440S has a 65 TDP, whereas the i5-2310 has a 95 TDP. The process node also differs significantly: the i5-4440S is built on 22 nm, while the i5-2310 uses 32 nm. The i5-4440S has 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, while the i5-2310 has 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die.

The integrated graphics are different: the i5-4440S features Intel HD 4600, while the i5-2310 has Intel HD 2000. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. Both have PCIe Gen 3 support, though the i5-2310 specifies "Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)". The i5-4440S has a part number of SR14L, while the i5-2310 is SR02K. The i5-2310 is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-4440S has no production status listed.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is the primary driver of the performance delta. The i5-4440S uses the Haswell architecture (22 nm process), while the i5-2310 uses Sandy Bridge (32 nm process). Haswell is a later microarchitecture generation, bringing substantial IPC improvements over Sandy Bridge.

The transistor counts reflect the process node difference: the i5-4440S packs 1,400 million transistors into 177 mm², while the i5-2310 fits 1,160 million transistors into a larger 216 mm² die. The smaller, denser die of the i5-4440S contributes to its lower 65 TDP despite higher performance.

Cache configuration is identical: both have 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Since cache size and hierarchy are the same, the performance difference cannot be attributed to cache capacity. Instead, the Haswell architecture’s improved execution units, better branch prediction, and enhanced memory subsystem explain the consistent ~19.5% lead.

The integrated graphics also reflect generational progress. The i5-4440S’s Intel HD 4600 is a more capable iGPU than the i5-2310’s Intel HD 2000, offering better media playback and light gaming performance. The PCIe implementation is similar (Gen 3), but the i5-2310’s "16 Lanes (CPU only)" qualifier suggests a more limited configuration.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4440S wins in every scenario measured. For multi-threaded productivity workloads — video encoding, 3D rendering, software compilation — its 19.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (3729 vs 3118) translates directly to faster completion times. The R15 multi-core test (375 vs 314, a 19.4% delta) confirms this advantage extends to legacy applications as well.

For single-threaded tasks — web browsing, office applications, legacy software — the i5-4440S again leads by 19.5-19.6% in R23 and R20 single-core tests. This makes it the better choice for responsive everyday computing.

The i5-2310 has no benchmark wins. Its only advantages are qualitative: it has a 0.10 GHz higher base clock (2.90 vs 2.80), but that does not translate into any performance victory. The i5-2310 also uses the older Socket 1155 platform, which might be preferable if a user already owns a compatible motherboard. However, from a pure performance standpoint, the i5-4440S is superior in all five head-to-head tests.

In summary, the i5-4440S is the recommended processor for any workload that benefits from CPU compute power. The i5-2310 is only relevant for users with an existing Socket 1155 platform who cannot or will not upgrade the motherboard. The data shows no performance scenario where the i5-2310 comes out ahead.