Intel Core i5-2380P vs Intel Core i5-4440S Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. In every recorded Cinebench test, the Intel Core i5-4440S outperforms the Intel Core i5-2380P. The i5-4440S wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with the i5-2380P recording zero wins. The performance gap is consistent, ranging from 16.8% to 17.2% across multicore and single-core workloads. The i5-4440S also holds a higher average benchmark score of 1078 compared to 1063 for the i5-2380P, and it sits at the 30th percentile among all CPUs versus the 29th percentile for its older counterpart. If the choice is purely about measured compute performance, the i5-4440S is the clear pick. The i5-2380P, however, still occupies a distinct niche: it uses the older Sandy Bridge architecture, carries a higher 95 watt TDP, and lacks integrated graphics. For a system that already has a discrete GPU and where power consumption is not the primary constraint, the i5-2380P remains functional, but the data shows it is slower in every benchmark category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and use different sockets. The Intel Core i5-2380P is built on Sandy Bridge, fabricated on a 32 nm process, and fits into Intel Socket 1155. The Intel Core i5-4440S uses Haswell, manufactured on a 22 nm node, and requires Intel Socket 1150. These are not cross-compatible platforms; a motherboard designed for one will not accept the other.

Both chips share the same core and thread configuration: 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading. Cache hierarchies are also identical in structure: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i5-2380P has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The i5-4440S runs at a lower base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost of 3.30 GHz, yet it still wins every benchmark, which points to architectural efficiency gains in Haswell rather than raw clock speed.

Transistor counts and die sizes differ substantially. The i5-2380P packs 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The i5-4440S integrates 1,400 million transistors on a smaller 177 mm² die. This denser, more modern design helps explain the performance advantage despite lower clocks. Power draw also diverges: the i5-2380P is rated at 95 watts TDP, while the i5-4440S is rated at 65 watts, a significant reduction that makes the newer chip more suitable for compact or power-conscious builds.

Memory support is DDR3 for both, with dual-channel memory buses. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs slightly: the i5-2380P lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4440S simply lists Gen 3 without a lane count. The i5-4440S also includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 4600, whereas the i5-2380P has no integrated graphics. That distinction matters for builds without a discrete GPU. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a supported feature on either part.

Release timing also separates them. The i5-2380P was released in January 2012, while the i5-4440S arrived in August 2013. That roughly year-and-a-half gap corresponds to the architectural leap from Sandy Bridge to Haswell, which the benchmark scores reflect.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent and sizable advantage for the i5-4440S across all five Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-2380P scores 311, while the i5-4440S scores 375. That is a 17.1% deficit for the older chip. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore: 1297 versus 1566, a 17.2% gap. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 3090 against 3729, again a 17.1% difference.

Single-core results tell the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-2380P scores 183, and the i5-4440S scores 220, a 16.8% lead for the newer part. Cinebench R23 single-core follows with 436 versus 526, a 17.1% advantage. Interestingly, the i5-2380P has no recorded Cinebench R15 single-core score in the database, while the i5-4440S records a 52 in that test, so a direct comparison there is not possible.

The narrowest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core at 16.8%, while the widest is in Cinebench R20 multicore at 17.2%. Across all comparable tests, the delta clusters tightly between 16.8% and 17.2%, indicating that the architectural advantage of Haswell is uniform regardless of workload type. The i5-4440S does not merely win in multi-threaded rendering; it also wins in single-threaded tasks, which often favor higher clock speeds. Since the i5-2380P actually has a higher base and boost clock, the win must come from improved instructions per clock in the Haswell core.

Average benchmark scores reinforce this. The i5-2380P averages 1063, while the i5-4440S averages 1078. The percentiles are close, 29th versus 30th, but the average score difference is meaningful. The nearest rivals for the i5-2380P include the Intel Core i5-4570TE at 1062 (0.1% behind), the Intel Xeon W3580 at 1064 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i3-9100HL at 1065 (0.2% ahead), and the AMD Opteron 4376 HE at 1061 (0.2% behind). For the i5-4440S, the nearest rivals are the AMD A12-9800 at 1081 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Pentium Gold G6505T at 1082 (0.3% ahead), the Intel Pentium Gold G6505 at 1074 (0.4% behind), and the Intel Core i5-3335S at 1083 (0.4% ahead). These proximity bands show both processors sit in a crowded mid-range tier, but the i5-4440S sits slightly higher within that tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440S scores 3729, while the Intel Core i5-2380P scores 3090. The newer chip leads by 17.1%.

Q: Does the i5-2380P have integrated graphics?

A: No. The database lists no integrated graphics for the Intel Core i5-2380P. The Intel Core i5-4440S includes Intel HD 4600.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i5-2380P is rated at 95 watts, while the Intel Core i5-4440S is rated at 65 watts. The i5-4440S consumes less power despite being faster in all benchmarks.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The i5-2380P uses Intel Socket 1155, and the i5-4440S uses Intel Socket 1150. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Which CPU has the higher clock speed?

A: The i5-2380P has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The i5-4440S runs at 2.80 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. Despite lower clocks, the i5-4440S wins every benchmark.

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

A: The i5-2380P averages 1063, with nearest rivals within 0.2%: the Intel Core i5-4570TE at 1062, Intel Xeon W3580 at 1064, Intel Core i3-9100HL at 1065, and AMD Opteron 4376 HE at 1061. The i5-4440S averages 1078, with rivals within 0.4%: AMD A12-9800 at 1081, Intel Pentium Gold G6505T at 1082, Intel Pentium Gold G6505 at 1074, and Intel Core i5-3335S at 1083.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4440S wins in every recorded benchmark category. That makes it the preferred choice for any workload that relies on CPU compute, including rendering, encoding, and general multitasking. Its single-core advantage, 16.8% in Cinebench R20 and 17.1% in Cinebench R23, matters for applications that depend on one or two threads, such as older games or lightly threaded productivity tools. Its multicore edge, consistently around 17.1% to 17.2%, helps in fully threaded workloads like video transcoding or 3D rendering.

The lower TDP of 65 watts versus 95 watts also gives the i5-4440S a clear edge in system design. It generates less heat, which opens the door to smaller coolers and more compact cases. The presence of integrated graphics, Intel HD 4600, means a system built around the i5-4440S can operate without a discrete GPU for basic display output, a capability the i5-2380P completely lacks.

The Intel Core i5-2380P does have one arguable advantage: its higher base and boost clocks. At 3.10 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost, it runs faster on paper than the i5-4440S. However, the benchmark data shows that clock speed alone does not translate into better performance. The architectural improvements in Haswell more than compensate for the 0.30 GHz base and 0.10 GHz boost deficits. There is no recorded benchmark where the i5-2380P wins.

For a user with an existing Socket 1155 motherboard, the i5-2380P could be a drop-in upgrade or replacement that avoids a platform change. But that is a compatibility consideration, not a performance one. The data shows the i5-2380P sits at the 29th percentile among all CPUs, while the i5-4440S sits at the 30th. The average benchmark scores, 1063 versus 1078, place the i5-4440S slightly ahead in the aggregate.

For new builds, the i5-4440S is the clear recommendation based on measured performance, lower power draw, and integrated graphics. For legacy systems already on Socket 1155, the i5-2380P remains a viable option, but it will trail the i5-4440S in every task. The choice ultimately depends on platform constraints: if the motherboard dictates the socket, the decision is already made. If the CPU is the starting point, the i5-4440S is the stronger part in every recorded metric.