Intel Core i5-4440 vs Intel Core i7-3635QM Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4440 and Intel Core i7-3635QM are two processors from different eras and market segments, yet their average benchmark scores are remarkably close. The i5-4440, a desktop Haswell part, edges out the mobile Ivy Bridge i7-3635QM in every single head-to-head benchmark, but by margins so slim (0.4% to 0.5%) that they are effectively performance equals in raw compute. The i7-3635QM counters with its mobility, lower power envelope, and hyper-threading, while the i5-4440 relies on higher base clocks and a newer architecture. The data shows a clear split: the desktop chip wins on peak performance, while the mobile chip wins on efficiency and versatility in portable systems.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results are decisive in one direction: the Intel Core i5-4440 wins all six head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i7-3635QM. This includes both multi-core and single-core workloads across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The largest margin is a mere 0.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 multi-core and single-core. The smallest advantage is 0.4% in Cinebench R20 single-core, and the two are perfectly tied at 57 points in Cinebench R15 single-core.

However, the i7-3635QM is not without its own territory. Its 45W TDP versus the i5-4440's 84W TDP means it is designed for laptops and other battery-powered devices, a segment where the desktop i5-4440 cannot compete. The i7-3635QM also brings 8 threads to the table versus 4, which, despite not translating to a win in the tested Cinebench workloads, indicates a potential advantage in heavily threaded, non-Cinebench scenarios. The i5-4440's wins are real but narrow; the i7-3635QM's win is in its entire product category.

Architecture Differences

These two CPUs come from different Intel generations and are built for different sockets. The i5-4440 is a Haswell architecture chip, released in 2013, designed for the Intel Socket 1150 desktop platform. The i7-3635QM is an Ivy Bridge part, released a year earlier in 2012, and uses the Intel BGA 1224 mobile socket, meaning it is soldered directly to the motherboard.

Both are built on the same 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry. The i5-4440 has 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, while the i7-3635QM has slightly more, 1,480 million, on a smaller 160 mm² die. Cache configurations are identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

The core counts are the same at 4, but the threading differs. The i5-4440 has 4 threads (no hyper-threading), while the i7-3635QM has 8 threads. Base clocks favor the i5-4440 at 3.10 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, but the boost clock favors the i7-3635QM at 3.40 GHz versus 3.30 GHz. The i5-4440 uses DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration and supports PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-3635QM's memory support and PCIe generation are not specified in the data. Integrated graphics also differ: the i5-4440 has Intel HD 4600, and the i7-3635QM has the older Intel HD 4000.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent, if narrow, pattern of i5-4440 superiority. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4440 scores 410 against the i7-3635QM's 408, a 0.5% lead. The single-core test is a dead heat at 57 points each, with the delta recorded as 0%. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core gap is again 0.5% (1712 vs 1703), and the single-core gap narrows to 0.4% (241 vs 240). Cinebench R23 repeats the 0.5% multi-core margin (4077 vs 4057) and a 0.5% single-core margin (575 vs 572).

These results indicate that the i5-4440's higher base clock of 3.10 GHz and newer Haswell core design provide a slight edge over the i7-3635QM's lower base clock of 2.40 GHz, even though the i7 has a higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz and twice the threads. The i7-3635QM's extra threads do not help it in these specific Cinebench tests, which appear to be limited by per-core performance rather than raw thread count. The i5-4440's average benchmark score of 1179 also sits slightly above the i7-3635QM's 1170, a difference of 0.8% that places the desktop chip just ahead.

The i7-3635QM does have one benchmark category the i5-4440 lacks: Geekbench. The mobile chip scores 1790 in multi-core and 532 in single-core, but since no equivalent data exists for the i5-4440, no direct comparison is possible from this pack. The i5-4440's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-3550, scores a nearly identical 1178 average, while the i7-3635QM's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-2960XM at 1169.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: for raw performance, the Intel Core i5-4440 is the pick. It wins every head-to-head benchmark, albeit by margins under 1%, and holds a higher average benchmark score (1179 vs 1170). It also boasts a newer architecture (Haswell vs Ivy Bridge), a higher base clock (3.10 vs 2.40 GHz), and faster integrated graphics (HD 4600 vs HD 4000).

The Intel Core i7-3635QM, however, is the pick for a completely different reason: it is a mobile processor. Its 45W TDP makes it suitable for laptops, whereas the i5-4440's 84W TDP is desktop-only. The i7-3635QM also offers 8 threads, which could be beneficial in multi-threaded applications not covered by the Cinebench tests in this pack. Its higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz is also a point in its favor for short, bursty workloads.

The choice comes down to platform. If the need is a desktop CPU, the i5-4440 is the better performer. If the need is a mobile CPU, the i7-3635QM is the only option, and its performance is close enough to the desktop part to be considered a strong mobile alternative. Neither chip is unlocked for overclocking, and both sit at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are mid-range performers in their respective markets.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i7-3635QM's 2.40 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-3635QM have more threads than the Intel Core i5-4440?

A: Yes, the i7-3635QM has 8 threads, while the i5-4440 has 4 threads, despite both having 4 cores.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Core i5-4440 have its largest lead over the i7-3635QM?

A: The i5-4440's largest lead is 0.5%, achieved in Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 multi-core and single-core tests.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores between the two?

A: The i5-4440 has an average benchmark score of 1179, while the i7-3635QM has 1170, giving the i5-4440 a 0.8% lead.

Q: Are both processors manufactured on the same process node?

A: Yes, both the i5-4440 and the i7-3635QM are built on Intel's 22 nm process node.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP and is therefore better suited for mobile devices?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM has a TDP of 45W, which is lower than the i5-4440's 84W, making it the mobile-oriented part.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4440 | Intel Core i7-3635QM |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 84 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1224 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |

| Codename | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 1,480 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 160 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | Not specified |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Not specified |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Part Number | SR14F | Not specified |