CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3550
Core i5-4440
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i5-3550 vs Intel Core i5-4440
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4440 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, but the margins are so razor-thin that they border on statistical noise. Across six Cinebench tests, the i5-4440 takes all six wins, yet only two of those wins exceed a 0% delta, and both are a mere 0.1%. The i5-3550, despite its higher clock speeds, never once posts a superior score.
The most decisive result comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i5-4440 scores 4077 against the i5-3550's 4073, a 0.1% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows the same pattern: 1712 versus 1710, again a 0.1% lead. In every single-core test, R15, R20, and R23, both processors score identically: 57, 241, and 575 respectively. The R15 multi-core test also ends in a dead heat at 410 apiece.
This creates an intriguing narrative. The i5-3550's higher base clock (3.30 GHz vs 3.10 GHz) and boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.30 GHz) should theoretically give it an edge in single-threaded workloads. Yet the benchmark data shows perfect parity in all three single-core tests. The average benchmark scores tell the same story: the i5-4440 averages 1179, the i5-3550 averages 1178, a 0.1% difference that flips depending on which processor is treated as the reference point.
Both chips sit at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy essentially the same performance tier. The i5-4440's nearest rivals include the i5-3550 at a 0.1% delta, the i3-7320 at 0.5%, and the i5-2400 at -0.7%. The i5-3550's rival list mirrors this, with the i5-2400 again outpacing it by 0.7%. In practical terms, choosing between these two based on raw benchmark scores alone is a coin flip.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from different architectural generations despite sharing the same 22 nm process node and identical transistor counts of 1,400 million. The i5-4440 is built on the Haswell architecture, while the i5-3550 uses Ivy Bridge. This architectural gap manifests in die size: Haswell measures 177 mm², while Ivy Bridge is smaller at 160 mm². Both use Intel as the foundry and share the same cache hierarchy, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.
Socket compatibility is where the practical differences emerge. The i5-4440 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3550 uses Intel Socket 1155. These are not interchangeable; a motherboard designed for one will not accept the other. The memory support is identical on paper, both support DDR3 in dual-channel configuration, but the i5-3550 lists a specific memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4440's memory bandwidth field is left unspecified in the data.
Integrated graphics separate the two meaningfully. The i5-4440 carries Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3550 is equipped with the older Intel HD 2500. This represents a generational leap in integrated GPU capability, which matters for systems running without a discrete graphics card. Both processors support PCIe Gen 3, though the i5-3550's listing specifies "16 Lanes (CPU only)" while the i5-4440's entry simply says "Gen 3."
Power draw favors the older chip. The i5-3550 has a TDP of 77 watts, while the i5-4440 consumes 84 watts, a 7-watt difference. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is off the table for both. The i5-3550 is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the i5-4440's status is not specified. Release dates differ by over a year: the i5-3550 launched on April 28, 2012, and the i5-4440 on August 31, 2013.
Where Each One Wins
The benchmark data shows that the i5-4440 wins every head-to-head test, but the margins are so small that the practical advantage is negligible. In multi-core workloads, the i5-4440 leads by 2 points in R20 and 4 points in R23, differences that would be invisible in real-world use. Single-core performance is identical across every test, meaning any application that relies primarily on one thread will see no difference between the two.
The i5-3550's advantage lies outside the benchmark suite. Its lower 77-watt TDP makes it the more power-efficient choice, which could translate to lower cooling requirements and quieter operation in compact builds. Its smaller 160 mm² die size suggests a slightly more efficient use of silicon, though both chips use the same 22 nm process and transistor count. The i5-3550 also has a documented memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, which the i5-4440's specifications do not list, though both support dual-channel DDR3.
Where the i5-4440 wins beyond benchmarks is in its integrated graphics. The HD 4600 is a substantial upgrade over the HD 2500, making the i5-4440 the better choice for systems that rely on the iGPU for display output or light media tasks. The newer Haswell architecture also brings architectural improvements that don't show up in Cinebench scores, better instruction efficiency, improved power management, and newer platform features tied to Socket 1150.
The i5-3550's only true advantage in the data is its higher clock speeds (3.30/3.70 GHz vs 3.10/3.30 GHz) and lower TDP. Those clocks, however, do not translate into benchmark victories. The i5-4440's architectural efficiency from Haswell compensates for its lower clocks, resulting in parity or a hair's-breadth lead.
FAQ
Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?
A: They are exactly tied. All three single-core Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23) show identical scores of 57, 241, and 575 for both the i5-4440 and i5-3550.
Q: How much faster is the i5-4440 in multi-core workloads?
A: The difference is negligible. The i5-4440 leads by 0.1% in Cinebench R20 (1712 vs 1710) and R23 (4077 vs 4073), and ties in R15 at 410 points.
Q: Do these processors use the same socket?
A: No. The i5-4440 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3550 uses Intel Socket 1155. Motherboards are not cross-compatible.
Q: Which chip has better integrated graphics?
A: The i5-4440 features Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3550 has Intel HD 2500. The HD 4600 is the more capable integrated solution.
Q: What is the TDP difference between them?
A: The i5-3550 has a lower TDP of 77 watts, while the i5-4440 consumes 84 watts, a 7-watt difference in favor of the i5-3550.
Q: Are both processors the same generation?
A: No. The i5-4440 is Haswell (released August 31, 2013), and the i5-3550 is Ivy Bridge (released April 28, 2012). Both use a 22 nm process.
The Verdict
The data points to a clear but counterintuitive conclusion: the i5-4440 is the better processor, but only by the slimmest of margins. It wins all six benchmark comparisons, posts a higher average score (1179 vs 1178), and does so despite having lower clock speeds. The Haswell architecture's efficiency advantage is real, even if it only manifests as 0.1% improvements in two tests and dead heats in the other four.
For a system that will use integrated graphics, the i5-4440 is the obvious pick. The HD 4600 is a generation ahead of the HD 2500, and the newer Socket 1150 platform offers modern features. The 84-watt TDP is a modest penalty for this capability.
For a system where power efficiency is the priority, the i5-3550 has a defensible case. Its 77-watt TDP is 9% lower, and its higher clock speeds (3.30 GHz base, 3.70 GHz boost) mean it can match the i5-4440's performance while consuming less power. The end-of-life production status is a concern for long-term availability, but not for immediate use.
The benchmark data ultimately says these processors are equivalent for CPU-bound tasks. The i5-4440 wins on architecture and integrated graphics; the i5-3550 wins on power draw and clock speed. Neither chip offers a meaningful performance advantage over the other in any benchmark that matters.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Core i5-4440 | Intel Core i5-3550 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.30 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.70 GHz |
| TDP | 84 W | 77 W |
| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1155 |
| Architecture | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |
| Die Size | 177 mm² | 160 mm² |
| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 25.6 GB/s |
| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 2500 |
| Production Status | Not specified | End-of-life |
| Release Date | 2013-08-31 | 2012-04-28 |
| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $194 |
| Part Number | SR14F | SR0P0 |
All other specifications, 4 cores, 4 threads, 22 nm process, 1,400 million transistors, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3, DDR3 dual-channel memory support, non-ECC memory, PCIe Gen 3, and locked multiplier, are identical between the two processors.