Intel Core i5-3330 vs Intel Core i5-4440 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-4440 wins every recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Core i5-3330. Across five Cinebench workloads, the i5-4440 takes all five, while the i5-3330 records zero wins. This is not a close contest; it is a consistent, generation-over-generation sweep.

For single-threaded workloads, the i5-4440 is clearly the stronger part. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 241 against 206 for the i5-3330, a 14.5% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 575 against 492, again 14.4% ahead. The i5-4440 is the pick for lightly threaded tasks such as older games, spreadsheet work, or everyday desktop responsiveness.

For multi-threaded workloads, the same story holds. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4440 posts 410 versus 351, a 14.4% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it posts 1712 versus 1464, 14.5% ahead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it posts 4077 versus 3486, again 14.5% ahead. The i5-4440 is also the pick for rendering, video encoding, and other parallel tasks.

The i5-3330 does not win any measured category. Its average benchmark score is 1200, while the i5-4440 averages 1179. Interestingly, the i5-3330 sits slightly higher in the overall database percentile at 34 versus 33 for the i5-4440, but this reflects the broader pool of CPUs each is compared against, not their direct relationship. In direct head-to-head terms, the i5-4440 is faster in every single recorded test.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel's 22 nm process node. They share the same foundry, Intel, and both are desktop parts with 4 cores and 4 threads. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both support DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus, and neither supports ECC memory.

The architecture generation is where they diverge. The i5-3330 uses Ivy Bridge, while the i5-4440 uses Haswell. This is the core architectural gap. The i5-3330 belongs to the Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) generation, and the i5-4440 belongs to the Core i5 (Haswell) generation. Haswell is the newer microarchitecture, and the benchmark results reflect that refinement.

The i5-3330 uses socket Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-4440 uses Intel Socket 1150. This is a platform change. The i5-4440 requires a motherboard with the newer socket, so the two cannot be swapped into the same board.

Cache is identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The memory controllers are likewise similar, with dual-channel DDR3 support on both.

The integrated graphics differ. The i5-3330 carries Intel HD 2500, while the i5-4440 carries Intel HD 4600. The i5-4440's integrated GPU is the newer and more capable part, though the database does not include graphics benchmarks for these CPUs.

The i5-3330 has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The i5-4440 runs at 3.10 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The i5-4440 also has a higher TDP: 84 watts versus 77 watts for the i5-3330. The i5-4440 uses more power but delivers more performance.

The i5-4440 lists 1,400 million transistors and a die size of 177 mm². The i5-3330 lists a die size of 133 mm² with no transistor count in the database. The larger Haswell die carries the newer architecture and the upgraded integrated graphics.

PCIe support is listed as Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) for the i5-3330, while the i5-4440 is listed simply as Gen 3. Both support PCIe Gen 3, with the i5-3330's description specifying CPU-only lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest wins for the i5-4440 are consistent across the board. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4440 scores 410 versus 351 for the i5-3330, a 14.4% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5-4440 scores 1712 versus 1464, a 14.5% advantage.

Single-core results mirror the multi-core ones. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-4440 scores 241 versus 206, 14.5% ahead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-4440 scores 575 versus 492, 14.4% ahead. The i5-4440 also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 4077 versus 3486, again 14.5% ahead.

The i5-4440's margin does not vary much by workload type. Whether the test is single-threaded or multi-threaded, the i5-4440 leads by roughly 14.4% to 14.5%. This suggests the advantage is architectural and clockspeed-driven rather than workload-specific. The i5-4440 has a 0.10 GHz higher base clock and a 0.10 GHz higher boost clock, but the consistent margin points to Haswell's improved instruction efficiency as the main factor.

Neither CPU has a win in the other direction. The i5-3330's best showing is its average benchmark score of 1200, which is actually higher than the i5-4440's 1179. However, that average includes different test suites and a different comparison pool. In the direct head-to-head tests, the i5-4440 wins every time.

The i5-3330's nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon PRO 200GE, AMD Ryzen 3 2200G, AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B, and AMD Opteron 3365. The i5-4440's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-3550, Intel Core i3-7320, Intel Core i5-2400, and Intel Core i7-3635QM. The two CPUs are not close enough in the database to share rivals, which further underscores the performance gap between them.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440. It scores 241 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 206 for the i5-3330, and 575 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 492.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4440. It scores 1712 in Cinebench R20 multi-core versus 1464 for the i5-3330, and 4077 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 3486.

Q: Do the two CPUs use the same socket?

A: No. The i5-3330 uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-4440 uses Intel Socket 1150. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Do the two CPUs have the same cache configuration?

A: Yes. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the integrated graphics on each CPU?

A: The i5-3330 has Intel HD 2500, while the i5-4440 has Intel HD 4600.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: The i5-4440 has a TDP of 84 watts, while the i5-3330 has a TDP of 77 watts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3330 | Intel Core i5-4440 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 77 W | 84 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Haswell |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Haswell |

| Generation | Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) | Core i5 (Haswell) |

| Die Size | 133 mm² | 177 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,400 million |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2500 | Intel HD 4600 |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Release Date | 2012-09-02 | 2013-08-31 |

| Part Number | SR0RQ | SR14F |

The two CPUs share the same core and thread count (4 and 4), the same 22 nm process node, the same Intel foundry, the same L1/L2/L3 cache sizes, the same DDR3 dual-channel memory support, no ECC support, and no unlocked multiplier. The differences are concentrated in clocks, power, socket, architecture generation, die size, integrated graphics, and release timing.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-4440 is the faster processor in every measured benchmark. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins between 14.4% and 14.5%. It has higher base and boost clocks, a newer Haswell architecture, and a newer integrated GPU. It also has a higher TDP, so it draws more power, but the performance payoff is clear.

The i5-4440 is the choice for anyone who wants the stronger CPU in this pairing. Its single-core lead of 14.4% to 14.5% makes it better for everyday responsiveness and older games. Its multi-core lead of 14.4% to 14.5% makes it better for rendering and parallel workloads. There is no benchmark category where the i5-3330 comes out ahead.

The i5-3330 is the older part, released in 2012 versus 2013 for the i5-4440. It uses the older socket, the older architecture, and the older integrated graphics. Its only statistical advantage is a slightly higher average benchmark score (1200 versus 1179) and a slightly higher database percentile (34 versus 33), but those figures reflect the wider CPU pool, not its direct comparison with the i5-4440.

For a system builder choosing between these two, the data points firmly to the i5-4440. It is the newer, faster, and more capable part in every direct test. The i5-3330 remains a serviceable quad-core desktop CPU, but it is not competitive with the i5-4440 in this head-to-head. The verdict is straightforward: the i5-4440 wins on performance, while the i5-3330 offers a lower TDP but no performance advantage.