Intel Core i5-4288U vs Intel Core i5-4330M Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-4330M and Intel Core i5-4288U are both dual-core Haswell mobile processors, but the benchmark data draws a clear line between them. The i5-4330M wins every recorded head-to-head test, with margins ranging from 21.8% to 22.2% across Cinebench workloads. The i5-4288U, despite having a lower thermal envelope, does not catch up in any of the five shared benchmarks.

The verdict is straightforward: if the workload is multi-threaded rendering or single-threaded responsiveness, the i5-4330M is the stronger part. Its lead is consistent and substantial, not a narrow edge. The i5-4288U remains a capable processor for its intended power class, but the data shows no scenario where it outperforms the i5-4330M in the tested metrics.

For users comparing these two in the used or legacy mobile market, the i5-4330M should be the default choice when performance is the primary criterion. The i5-4288U makes sense only if the lower 28W TDP is an absolute requirement, since its thermal design is 9W lower than the 37W of the i5-4330M. Neither processor offers an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a factor in this comparison.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental building blocks. They are built on the Haswell architecture with a 22 nm process node, fabricated by Intel. Each chip integrates 1,400 million transistors on a 118 mm² die. The cache hierarchy is identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR3 memory, and neither supports ECC.

The core and thread counts match as well: 2 cores and 4 threads on each processor. The key differences lie in clock speeds, package, and integrated graphics. The i5-4330M has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i5-4288U runs at 2.60 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. That 0.70 GHz boost advantage for the i5-4330M is the most obvious contributor to its benchmark dominance.

The sockets differ: the i5-4330M uses Intel Socket G3, while the i5-4288U uses Intel BGA 1168. This means they are not drop-in interchangeable, and platform choice will dictate which processor can be used. The i5-4288U is a ball-grid-array package, typically soldered to the motherboard, whereas the i5-4330M is a socketed mobile part.

Integrated graphics also separate the two. The i5-4330M carries Intel HD 5000, while the i5-4288U carries Intel HD 5100. The recorded data does not include graphics benchmarks, so the impact of that difference cannot be quantified from these measurements.

The thermal design power is another differentiator: 37W for the i5-4330M versus 28W for the i5-4288U. The i5-4288U was released earlier, on 2013-06-03, while the i5-4330M followed on 2013-08-31. Both belong to the Haswell generation of Core i5 mobile parts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably uniform. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-4330M scores 274 against 225 for the i5-4288U, a 21.8% advantage. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore: 1145 versus 939, a 21.9% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 2727 versus 2237, again 21.9% ahead.

Single-core results tell the same story. Cinebench R20 single-core gives the i5-4330M 161 points against 132 for the i5-4288U, a 22.0% margin. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 385 versus 315, a 22.2% advantage. The consistency of these margins, all clustering around 22%, suggests the clock speed difference is the dominant factor rather than any architectural quirk.

The i5-4288U does have one benchmark the i5-4330M lacks in the database: Geekbench results of 1745 multicore and 896 single-core. Without a matching Geekbench score for the i5-4330M, a direct comparison on that test is not possible from the recorded data. However, the Cinebench results are sufficient to establish the performance hierarchy.

The i5-4330M also holds a higher average benchmark score of 938, compared to 927 for the i5-4288U. Both processors sit at the 25th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating that neither is a high-flying part, but the i5-4330M edges ahead within that same percentile band.

FAQ

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

A: The i5-4330M wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 274 vs 225 in R15, 1145 vs 939 in R20, and 2727 vs 2237 in R23. The margin is consistently around 21.8% to 21.9%.

Q: Is the i5-4288U better for single-threaded tasks?

A: No. The i5-4330M leads in single-core tests as well, with 161 vs 132 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 385 vs 315 in R23 single-core. That is a 22.0% to 22.2% advantage.

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

A: Yes, both are dual-core with four threads. They also share the same cache layout: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the difference in thermal design power?

A: The i5-4330M has a TDP of 37W, while the i5-4288U has a TDP of 28W. The i5-4288U is designed for lower power consumption, but the recorded benchmarks show it sacrifices performance to achieve that.

Q: Do they use the same socket?

A: No. The i5-4330M uses Intel Socket G3, and the i5-4288U uses Intel BGA 1168. This means they are not interchangeable on the same motherboard.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4288U has Intel HD 5100, while the i5-4330M has Intel HD 5000. However, no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database, so the actual performance difference is not quantified.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4330M wins in every benchmark category recorded for both processors. Its strengths are uniform across single-core and multi-core workloads, which makes it the clear choice for compute-bound applications. Cinebench scores indicate strong performance in rendering tasks that scale with both thread count and clock speed. The 3.80 GHz boost clock gives it a decisive edge in latency-sensitive workloads such as interactive applications or lightly threaded software.

The i5-4288U does not win a single recorded benchmark. Its lower TDP of 28W makes it a better fit for thin-and-light chassis where cooling and battery life take priority over raw performance. The integrated HD 5100 graphics may offer a modest advantage in media playback or light gaming, but the database does not include graphics tests to confirm this. For users who need a processor that runs cooler and draws less power, the i5-4288U has a legitimate role, even if the performance data does not favor it.

In practical terms, the i5-4330M is the pick for anyone running CPU-intensive software: video encoding, 3D rendering, or compilation workloads. The i5-4288U is the pick for a portable system where the chassis thermal limit is the binding constraint, and where the user accepts a 22% performance penalty in exchange for a 9W lower TDP. The average benchmark scores reflect this: 938 for the i5-4330M versus 927 for the i5-4288U, a modest gap that the head-to-head tests amplify into a decisive verdict.