Intel Core i5-2450P vs Intel Core i5-4440S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though modest, advantage for the Intel Core i5-4440S across every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. The Core i5-2450P does not win a single test; the Core i5-4440S takes all six recorded wins. The margins are narrow, ranging from a 1.9% difference to a 2.7% difference. This is not a case of one processor dominating another in a dramatic fashion; rather, the newer architecture of the Core i5-4440S delivers a small but repeatable edge in every workload tested.

In the Cinebench R15 suite, the multicore test shows the Core i5-4440S scoring 375 points against the Core i5-2450P's 366 points, a delta of 2.4% in favor of the Haswell part. The single-core test shows a similar pattern: the Core i5-4440S scores 52 points while the Core i5-2450P scores 51 points, a 1.9% advantage. These are small absolute differences, but they appear consistently, which points to a genuine architectural improvement rather than a measurement anomaly.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the gap widens slightly in percentage terms. In the multicore test, the Core i5-4440S records 1566 points versus 1525 points for the Core i5-2450P, a 2.6% difference. The single-core test shows 220 points against 215 points, a 2.3% edge. The Cinebench R23 results continue the trend: multicore scores are 3729 for the Core i5-4440S and 3632 for the Core i5-2450P, a 2.6% delta, while single-core scores are 526 and 512 respectively, a 2.7% delta, the largest margin recorded in the comparison.

It is importantly the Geekbench tests are present in the individual benchmark lists but are not included in the head-to-head table. In the individual data, the Core i5-2450P shows a Geekbench multicore score of 1796 and a single-core score of 590. The Core i5-4440S does not have Geekbench scores recorded in the database. This means the head-to-head comparison relies entirely on the Cinebench family of tests, where the Core i5-4440S is the winner in every case. The overall average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story: the Core i5-2450P has an average score of 1086, while the Core i5-4440S sits at 1078. This places the Core i5-2450P marginally ahead in the aggregate, but the head-to-head tests, which are directly comparable, favor the Core i5-4440S.

Both processors sit at the 30th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the Core i5-2450P include the Intel Core i3-6320 with an average score of 1085 and a delta of 0.1%, the Intel Core i5-3350P at 1088 with a delta of -0.1%, and the AMD Athlon 220GE at 1088 with a delta of -0.2%. The Core i5-4440S, meanwhile, sits near the AMD A12-9800 at 1081 with a delta of -0.2%, the Intel Pentium Gold G6505T at 1082 with a delta of -0.3%, and the Intel Core i5-3335S at 1083 with a delta of -0.4%. These rival groupings confirm that both processors occupy the same performance tier, and the small deltas between them are typical of the variance seen within this segment.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Intel Core i5-2450P is built on Sandy Bridge, the architecture that powered Intel's mainstream desktop lineup in its generation. The Core i5-4440S is built on Haswell, a later design that brought a range of efficiency and feature improvements. The process node tells part of the story: the Core i5-2450P uses a 32 nm process, while the Core i5-4440S uses a 22 nm process. Both are manufactured by Intel, but the smaller process node on the Haswell part allows for a denser transistor layout. The transistor counts reflect this: the Core i5-2450P has 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die, while the Core i5-4440S has 1,400 million transistors on a smaller 177 mm² die.

Both processors have four cores and four threads, so the thread count is identical. The cache hierarchy is also the same in configuration: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The differences in performance, therefore, do not come from core count or cache size; they come from the underlying microarchitecture and the clock speeds at which the cores operate. The Core i5-2450P has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The Core i5-4440S has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. Despite the lower clock speeds, the Core i5-4440S manages to outperform the Core i5-2450P in every head-to-head test. This indicates that the Haswell core is more efficient in terms of instructions per clock, an advantage that more than compensates for the lower frequency.

The sockets are different, which has practical implications for platform compatibility. The Core i5-2450P uses Intel Socket 1155, while the Core i5-4440S uses Intel Socket 1150. A system built around one of these processors cannot simply swap in the other without a motherboard change. The PCIe support also differs in the way it is recorded. The Core i5-2450P is listed as PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. The Core i5-4440S is listed simply as PCIe Gen 3, without a lane count specified in the database. The memory support is identical in type, DDR3, and in bus width, dual-channel. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an intended use case for either part.

One notable difference is the integrated graphics. The Core i5-2450P has no integrated graphics listed, which means the "P suffix variants in the Sandy Bridge lineup were known for omitting the GPU. The Core i5-4440S, by contrast, includes Intel HD 4600 graphics. This makes the Core i5-4440S a more complete package for systems that do not use a discrete graphics card, though the benchmark data in the database does not include graphics tests for either processor.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Core i5-4440S wins in every benchmark category that was tested head-to-head. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it leads by 2.4%. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it leads by 1.9%. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the lead is 2.6%, and in single-core it is 2.3%. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the lead is 2.6%, and in single-core it is 2.7%. These are all modest margins, but they are consistent across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The Core i5-4440S is the better choice for users who run applications that stress the CPU, such as rendering, encoding, or general productivity tasks, because it delivers a measurable improvement across the board.

The Core i5-2450P does not have a single head-to-head win recorded. However, its overall average benchmark score of 1086 is higher than the Core i5-4440S's 1078. This is an interesting discrepancy, as it suggests that the Core i5-2450P may perform better in tests that are not represented in the head-to-head table, such as the Geekbench tests where it has recorded scores. The Core i5-2450P also has a higher base clock and boost clock, which could give it an edge in workloads that are sensitive to raw frequency but do not benefit from the architectural improvements of Haswell. Still, the database does not provide head-to-head Geekbench comparisons, so this remains an inference from the average score rather than a direct measurement.

For users who prioritize power consumption, the Core i5-4440S has a clear advantage. Its TDP is 65 watts, while the Core i5-2450P is rated at 95 watts. This makes the Core i5-4440S a better fit for compact systems, small form factor builds, or any scenario where heat dissipation and power draw are concerns. The Haswell part also includes integrated graphics, which the Core i5-2450P lacks, so it is the more versatile option for a basic desktop without a discrete GPU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-2450P has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-4440S has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor performs better in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440S scores 3729 points in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core i5-2450P scores 3632 points, giving the Core i5-4440S a 2.6% advantage.

Q: Does the Core i5-2450P have integrated graphics?

A: No, the Core i5-2450P has no integrated graphics listed. The Core i5-4440S includes Intel HD 4600.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-2450P has a TDP of 95 watts, and the Intel Core i5-4440S has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Are the two processors compatible with the same motherboard socket?

A: No, the Core i5-2450P uses Intel Socket 1155, while the Core i5-4440S uses Intel Socket 1150.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The base clock of the Core i5-2450P is 3.20 GHz, while the Core i5-4440S has a base clock of 2.80 GHz. The boost clock is 3.50 GHz for the Core i5-2450P and 3.30 GHz for the Core i5-4440S. The TDP is 95 watts for the Core i5-2450P and 65 watts for the Core i5-4440S. The socket is Intel Socket 1155 for the Core i5-2450P and Intel Socket 1150 for the Core i5-4440S. The architecture is Sandy Bridge for the Core i5-2450P and Haswell for the Core i5-4440S. The process node is 32 nm for the Core i5-2450P and 22 nm for the Core i5-4440S. The transistor count is 1,160 million for the Core i5-2450P and 1,400 million for the Core i5-4440S. The die size is 216 mm² for the Core i5-2450P and 177 mm² for the Core i5-4440S. The PCIe listing is Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only) for the Core i5-2450P and Gen 3 for the Core i5-4440S. The Core i5-2450P has no integrated graphics, while the Core i5-4440S includes Intel HD 4600. The part numbers are SR0G1 for the Core i5-2450P and SR14L for the Core i5-4440S. The release dates differ as well, with the Core i5-2450P released in January 2012 and the Core i5-4440S released in August 2013.

The specifications that are the same include the core count of 4, the thread count of 4, the L1 cache of 64 KB per core, the L2 cache of 256 KB per core, the L3 cache of 6 MB shared, DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC memory support, no unlocked multiplier, and the desktop market segment.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i5-4440S as the stronger processor for most users. It wins every head-to-head benchmark recorded in the database, with margins ranging from 1.9% to 2.7%. It does so while running at lower clock speeds, which demonstrates the efficiency of the Haswell architecture. It also has a significantly lower TDP of 65 watts versus 95 watts, making it the better option for power-conscious builds. The inclusion of Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics adds further versatility, as the Core i5-2450P has no integrated graphics at all.

The Core i5-2450P is not without its strengths. It has higher base and boost clocks, and its average benchmark score of 1086 is slightly above the Core i5-4440S's 1078. For users who are limited to the Intel Socket 1155 platform, or who already own a compatible motherboard, the Core i5-2450P remains a capable choice. Its Geekbench scores are recorded in the database, with a multicore score of 1796 and a single-core score of 590, though comparable Geekbench data for the Core i5-4440S is not available. Users who prioritize raw clock speed or who need to stay on an older platform may prefer the Core i5-2450P. Everyone else, particularly those building a new system or upgrading from an older socket, should look to the Core i5-4440S. The benchmark results show a clear, if modest, winner.