Intel Core i5-3335S vs Intel Core i5-4440S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data yields a decisive result: the Intel Core i5-4440S wins every single head-to-head comparison, taking 5 wins out of 5 possible tests. The Intel Core i5-3335S does not secure a win in any measured benchmark.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4440S scores 375 against the i5-3335S's 314, a delta of -16.3 percent from the perspective of the i5-3335S. That same 16.3 percent deficit appears consistently across the multi-core tests. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1566 for the i5-4440S versus 1310 for the i5-3335S. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 3729 versus 3121. The consistency is striking: across three generations of Cinebench multi-core workloads, the margin holds at exactly 16.3 percent.

Single-core performance tells the same story, though with a slightly larger margin. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-4440S scores 220 while the i5-3335S scores 184, a delta of -16.4 percent. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 526 versus 440, again a 16.3 percent gap. The i5-4440S does not have a Cinebench R15 single-core score listed, but the pattern from the other two single-core tests is unambiguous.

Geekbench results are only available for the i5-3335S, which scores 1647 multi-core and 562 single-core. Since the i5-4440S lacks Geekbench entries in the data, no direct comparison can be made there. The available head-to-head data, however, is one-sided enough to make the overall picture clear.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1083 for the i5-3335S and 1078 for the i5-4440S — but these averages are computed over different test sets. The i5-3335S average includes Geekbench results, which pull its aggregate down, while the i5-4440S average is derived only from Cinebench tests. When the same workloads are compared directly, the i5-4440S leads by a consistent margin.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm process node and share the same foundry, but they belong to different microarchitectures. The i5-3335S is an Ivy Bridge part, while the i5-4440S is Haswell. This architectural generation gap is the primary driver behind the performance differences observed in the benchmarks.

Core counts and threading are identical: both feature 4 cores and 4 threads. Cache hierarchies also match exactly, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither processor supports ECC memory. Both use DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

The base and boost clocks differ slightly. The i5-3335S runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. The i5-4440S runs at 2.80 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. These clock advantages — 0.10 GHz at base and 0.10 GHz at boost — partially explain the i5-4440S's lead, but the architectural improvements in Haswell likely contribute as well.

Transistor counts and die sizes differ in an interesting way. The i5-3335S has 1,480 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The i5-4440S has fewer transistors — 1,400 million — but a larger die at 177 mm². The larger die with fewer transistors suggests the Haswell design dedicates more area to non-core components, possibly including the improved integrated graphics.

The integrated GPUs differ: the i5-3335S packs Intel HD 4000, while the i5-4440S ships with Intel HD 4600. The HD 4600 represents a newer generation of Intel graphics and typically offers better performance, though no benchmark data is provided to quantify this.

Socket compatibility is another key divergence. The i5-3335S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-4440S uses Intel Socket 1150. These sockets are not interchangeable, meaning motherboard compatibility is mutually exclusive. Both support PCIe Gen 3, though the i5-3335S specifies 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-4440S lists PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count.

The i5-4440S carries the part number SR14L, while the i5-3335S has no part number listed. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiator. Both are desktop parts with a 65 W TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4440S is the clear winner across all multi-threaded rendering workloads. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, it outperforms the i5-3335S by 16.3 percent consistently. This makes it the better choice for CPU-bound rendering tasks, video encoding, and any workload that scales across all four cores.

Single-core performance also favors the i5-4440S. With a 16.4 percent lead in Cinebench R20 single-core and a 16.3 percent lead in R23 single-core, the Haswell part is faster in lightly-threaded scenarios. Applications that depend on single-thread speed — such as older games, spreadsheet calculations, or general desktop responsiveness — will benefit from the i5-4440S.

The i5-3335S does not win any benchmark category in the head-to-head data. However, its Geekbench scores of 1647 multi-core and 562 single-core provide a baseline for comparison against other CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 1083 places it at the 30th percentile of all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i5-2320 (deltaPct 0), Intel Pentium Gold G6505T (deltaPct 0.1), Intel Core i3-6320 (deltaPct -0.2), and AMD A12-9800 (deltaPct 0.2).

The i5-4440S also sits at the 30th percentile with an average score of 1078. Its nearest rivals are nearly identical: AMD A12-9800 (deltaPct -0.2), Intel Pentium Gold G6505T (deltaPct -0.3), Intel Pentium Gold G6505 (deltaPct 0.4), and Intel Core i5-3335S (deltaPct -0.4). The two processors are effectively peers in the overall database ranking, despite the i5-4440S's clear advantage in the specific tests where both are measured.

For users who need integrated graphics, the i5-4440S holds an edge with the HD 4600 versus the HD 4000 in the i5-3335S. This matters for builds without a discrete GPU, though no specific graphics benchmark scores are available to quantify the difference.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4440S wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 375 in R15, 1566 in R20, and 3729 in R23, compared to the i5-3335S's 314, 1310, and 3121 respectively. The margin is 16.3 percent in every case.

Q: Is the single-core performance also better on the i5-4440S?

A: Yes. The i5-4440S scores 220 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 526 in R23 single-core, while the i5-3335S scores 184 and 440. The deltas are 16.4 percent and 16.3 percent respectively.

Q: Do these processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. They also share identical cache configurations: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Q: Are they compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i5-3335S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-4440S uses Intel Socket 1150. These are different sockets and require different motherboards.

Q: What are the clock speed differences?

A: The i5-3335S has a 2.70 GHz base clock and 3.20 GHz boost clock. The i5-4440S has a 2.80 GHz base clock and 3.30 GHz boost clock. The i5-4440S is 0.10 GHz higher in both metrics.

Q: Do both processors have the same TDP and process node?

A: Yes, both are rated at 65 W TDP and are built on Intel's 22 nm process node. The i5-3335S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, while the i5-4440S uses Haswell.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4440S is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. Across five head-to-head tests, it wins all five with a consistent 16.3 percent margin. The i5-3335S does not win a single test.

For users building a system with Socket 1150, the i5-4440S is the clear choice. It delivers better multi-core rendering performance in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, and better single-core performance in R20 and R23. The HD 4600 integrated graphics also represent a newer generation than the HD 4000 in the i5-3335S.

For users with an existing Socket 1155 motherboard, the i5-3335S remains a functional option. Its Geekbench scores of 1647 multi-core and 562 single-core, combined with a 30th percentile ranking among all CPUs, indicate it can handle everyday desktop tasks. Its nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-2320 with a deltaPct of 0, meaning the two are statistically tied in average score.

The i5-4440S's nearest rivals include the AMD A12-9800 and Intel Pentium Gold G6505T, both within 0.3 percent. The i5-3335S itself is listed as a nearest rival to the i5-4440S with a deltaPct of -0.4, confirming that in the broader database, these two CPUs are close neighbors despite the i5-4440S's consistent wins in direct comparisons.

Ultimately, the choice depends on socket compatibility. If the motherboard is already purchased or the platform is flexible, the i5-4440S offers measurably better performance across the board. If a Socket 1155 system is already in place, the i5-3335S provides comparable average scores within the database and remains a serviceable quad-core desktop processor. The 16.3 percent performance gap in identical workloads, however, makes the i5-4440S the objectively stronger part where both are viable.