CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4440 and Intel Core i5-3450 present a fascinating generational matchup. Both are quad-core, four-thread desktop processors with identical 3.10 GHz base clocks and 6 MB of shared L3 cache, yet they represent distinct architectural eras. The data shows the i5-4440, built on the Haswell architecture, wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Ivy Bridge-based i5-3450, with margins ranging from 5.6% to 6.2%. However, both chips sit at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are separated by only 13 points (1179 vs 1166). The i5-3450 does counter with a higher 3.50 GHz boost clock and a lower 77W TDP, alongside its older Socket 1155 platform. This is not a landslide; it's a consistent but narrow victory for the newer architecture.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-4440 is the outright performance winner. It leads in every single benchmark recorded, from Cinebench R15 to R23, in both multi-core and single-core tests. Its largest advantage comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it scores 241 against the i5-3450's 227, a 6.2% lead. The multi-core Cinebench R20 result tells a similar story: 1712 versus 1613, a 6.1% gap. For anyone prioritizing raw compute throughput in rendering or CPU-bound tasks, the i5-4440 is the clear choice from this dataset.

The i5-3450, however, is not without its own claims. It carries a 3.50 GHz boost clock, which is 200 MHz higher than the i5-4440's 3.30 GHz peak, yet it still loses every single-core test. This implies the Haswell architecture's per-clock efficiency advantage is substantial enough to overcome the clock speed deficit. The i5-3450 also draws less power, with a 77W TDP against the i5-4440's 84W, and supports a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, a figure not listed for its rival. The data suggests the i5-3450 is the more power-efficient part, but the i5-4440 is the faster processor in all measured workloads.

The verdict is straightforward: the i5-4440 wins on sheer performance, while the i5-3450 wins on efficiency and platform familiarity (Socket 1155). The i5-3450’s launch MSRP is $174, but that historical price point is not a factor in current performance analysis. For a system where every bit of rendering speed matters, the i5-4440 is the pick. For a lower-power build or one based on an existing Socket 1155 motherboard, the i5-3450 remains a viable option, despite trailing by roughly 6% in multi-core workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations, which explains the benchmark results. The i5-4440 is based on Haswell, while the i5-3450 is based on Ivy Bridge. Both use a 22 nm process node and are fabricated by Intel, with the same transistor count of 1,400 million. The die sizes differ slightly, with the i5-4440 measuring 177 mm² and the i5-3450 at 160 mm². The larger die on the Haswell part likely accommodates the improved integrated graphics and microarchitectural enhancements.

The most visible difference lies in the integrated GPU. The i5-4440 features Intel HD 4600, whereas the i5-3450 comes with the older Intel HD 2500. This is a step up in graphics capability, though the benchmark data does not include GPU tests. Both CPUs use DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, but only the i5-3450 lists an explicit memory bandwidth figure of 25.6 GB/s. The i5-4440’s memory bandwidth is not provided in the fact pack, leaving that comparison incomplete.

Socket compatibility is another key divide. The i5-4440 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3450 uses Intel Socket 1155. These are not interchangeable, meaning a motherboard purchase is required for either chip. Both support PCIe Gen 3, but the i5-3450 notes "16 Lanes (CPU only)" while the i5-4440 just states "Gen 3." The i5-3450 is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-4440’s production status is not listed. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is off the table for both.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450 has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, which is higher than the i5-4440's 3.30 GHz. Despite this, the i5-4440 still wins all single-core benchmarks, indicating superior per-clock performance.

Q: Are both CPUs equal in core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the i5-4440 and i5-3450 have exactly 4 cores and 4 threads. They also share the same 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, and 6 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta in the head-to-head benchmarks is 6.2%, found in the Cinebench R20 single-core test, where the i5-4440 scores 241 versus the i5-3450's 227. The smallest gap is 5.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core (57 vs 54).

Q: Which CPU has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450 has a TDP of 77W, which is lower than the i5-4440's 84W. This suggests the older chip may be more power-efficient, though the benchmark data does not include power consumption measurements.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the i5-4440 and i5-3450 have ECC memory support listed as false, meaning neither supports Error-Correcting Code memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The i5-4440 has an average benchmark score of 1179, while the i5-3450 scores 1166. This 13-point difference is small, but the i5-4440's nearest rival is the i5-3550 at 1178 (0.1% delta), while the i5-3450's nearest rival is the AMD Opteron 6220 at 1168 (-0.2% delta).

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4440 | Intel Core i5-3450 |

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

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 84W | 77W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |

| Codename | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |

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

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 160 mm² |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 25.6 GB/s |

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

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

| Production Status | Not listed | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2013-08-31 | 2012-04-28 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $174 |

| Part Number | SR14F | SR0PF |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent. Across all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23), the i5-4440 wins both multi-core and single-core tests. In multi-core tests, the deltas are 5.9% (410 vs 387 in R15), 6.1% (1712 vs 1613 in R20), and 6.1% (4077 vs 3842 in R23). The single-core results show a similar pattern: 5.6% (57 vs 54 in R15), 6.2% (241 vs 227 in R20), and 6.1% (575 vs 542 in R23).

The most striking finding is that the i5-3450's higher boost clock does not translate into a single-core victory. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-4440 scores 575, which is 33 points higher than the i5-3450's 542. This 6.1% advantage is nearly identical to the multi-core margin, suggesting the Haswell architecture's IPC (instructions per clock) gain is uniform across workloads. The i5-3450 does have one benchmark not shared by the i5-4440: Geekbench scores of 1985 multi-core and 681 single-core are listed for the i5-3450, but no Geekbench data is provided for the i5-4440, preventing a direct comparison.

The data also places both CPUs in a similar competitive context. The i5-4440's nearest rival is the i5-3550 with a delta of 0.1%, while the i5-3450's nearest rival is the i5-3570S with a delta of -0.2%. Both chips are within 1% of the i7-3635QM, which appears as a rival for both (0.8% for the i5-4440 and -0.3% for the i5-3450). This suggests that while the i5-4440 is faster than the i5-3450, both operate in the same performance tier among historical CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4440 wins in every category measured by the benchmark suite. It is faster in multi-core rendering tasks, as evidenced by the Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 4077 versus 3842. The 235-point advantage indicates it handles threaded workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering more effectively. It also wins in single-core tasks, with the Cinebench R20 single-core score of 241 versus 227, making it the better choice for lightly-threaded applications like older games or spreadsheet calculations.

The i5-3450, despite losing all benchmarks, has its own areas of strength. Its 77W TDP is 7W lower than the i5-4440's 84W, making it a more attractive option for compact or low-power builds where thermal output is a concern. It also offers a higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz, which could theoretically benefit bursty workloads, though the data shows this does not overcome the i5-4440's architectural efficiency. The i5-3450's memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s is explicitly listed, providing a concrete figure for system planning, whereas the i5-4440's bandwidth is not specified.

Ultimately, the i5-4440 is the winner for anyone seeking maximum performance in the benchmarked workloads. The i5-3450 is the winner for those prioritizing lower power consumption or requiring compatibility with Socket 1155 motherboards. The 6% performance gap is meaningful but not transformative; both CPUs remain in the same percentile (33rd) and have average scores within 1.1% of each other. The choice hinges on whether raw speed or efficiency and platform fit matters more.