Intel Core i5-4440 vs Intel Core i7-8665UE Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8665UE and the Intel Core i5-4440 are separated by five years of silicon evolution, yet the benchmark data shows a surprisingly tight contest. The i7-8665UE wins every single head-to-head benchmark, but the margins are remarkably slim, ranging from 1.2% to 1.8%. This indicates that while the newer mobile part takes the crown in raw performance, the older desktop chip remains highly competitive, a fact underscored by their nearly identical average benchmark scores of 1193 and 1179, respectively.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-8665UE achieves a clean sweep across all six Cinebench tests, but its victories are narrow. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the i7-8665UE scores 415 against the i5-4440's 410, a 1.2% lead. The single-core R15 result is slightly more decisive, with the i7-8665UE winning 58 to 57, a 1.8% margin—the largest gap in the entire comparison.

The pattern holds steady in newer workloads. In Cinebench R20, the i7-8665UE posts 1732 multi-core and 244 single-core, while the i5-4440 manages 1712 and 241, respectively. Both tests yield a 1.2% advantage for the mobile chip. The most demanding test, Cinebench R23, reinforces this consistency: the i7-8665UE scores 4124 multi-core and 582 single-core, beating the i5-4440's 4077 and 575 by exactly 1.2% in both cases.

The data tells a clear story: the i7-8665UE is faster in every metric, but the performance delta is too small to represent a generational leap. The i5-4440's 3.10 GHz base clock compensates for its older architecture, allowing it to stay within striking distance. However, the i7-8665UE's 4.40 GHz boost clock provides the edge needed to win all six matchups, translating to a 1.2% victory in the majority of tests.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental divide between these processors lies in their design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The i7-8665UE is built on Intel's 14 nm process node and uses the Whiskey Lake architecture, specifically the Whiskey Lake-U codename. In contrast, the i5-4440 relies on the older 22 nm process and the Haswell architecture. This node advantage allows the i7-8665UE to deliver comparable performance while consuming dramatically less power—its 15 W TDP is a fraction of the i5-4440's 84 W TDP.

Core configuration also differs significantly. Both chips feature four physical cores, but the i7-8665UE supports Hyper-Threading, enabling 8 threads, while the i5-4440 is limited to 4 threads. This threading advantage is partially offset by the i5-4440's higher base clock, creating the near-parity seen in benchmarks. Cache allocation also favors the newer part: the i7-8665UE has 8 MB of shared L3 cache compared to the i5-4440's 6 MB, while both maintain identical per-core L1 and L2 caches of 64 KB and 256 KB.

Memory support marks another divergence. The i7-8665UE supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-4440 is restricted to DDR3 only, also dual-channel, but the FACT PACK lists no bandwidth figure for it. The i7-8665UE also offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4440 simply lists PCIe Gen 3 without lane specifications.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the i7-8665UE ships with UHD Graphics 620, whereas the i5-4440 includes Intel HD 4600. Notably, the i5-4440 has published transistor and die size data—1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die—while the i7-8665UE lacks such figures in the data provided.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-8665UE wins in every benchmark category, but the practical implications depend on workload. Its 8-thread capability and higher boost clock make it the superior choice for multi-threaded tasks, as evidenced by its wins in all three multi-core Cinebench tests (R15: 415 vs 410, R20: 1732 vs 1712, R23: 4124 vs 4077). The 1.2% multi-core advantage, while small, is consistent and demonstrates that the newer architecture's efficiency compensates for its lower base clock.

For single-threaded performance, the i7-8665UE also takes the lead, winning R15 (58 vs 57), R20 (244 vs 241), and R23 (582 vs 575). The 1.8% margin in R15 single-core is the largest delta in the entire comparison, suggesting the i7-8665UE's 4.40 GHz boost clock provides a meaningful edge in lightly-threaded scenarios.

The i5-4440's only qualitative advantage lies in its desktop form factor and higher base clock of 3.10 GHz. It lacks Hyper-Threading, but its sustained clock speed allows it to remain competitive. For users with existing Socket 1150 motherboards, the i5-4440 offers a path to adequate performance without platform changes, though the data shows it trails in every measurable test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category:

• Threads: The i7-8665UE has 8 threads; the i5-4440 has 4.
• Base Clock: The i7-8665UE runs at 1700.00 MHz; the i5-4440 at 3.10 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The i7-8665UE boosts to 4.40 GHz; the i5-4440 to 3.30 GHz.
• TDP: The i7-8665UE is rated at 15 W; the i5-4440 at 84 W.
• Socket: The i7-8665UE uses Intel BGA 1528; the i5-4440 uses Intel Socket 1150.
• Process Node: The i7-8665UE uses 14 nm; the i5-4440 uses 22 nm.
• L3 Cache: The i7-8665UE has 8 MB shared; the i5-4440 has 6 MB shared.
• Memory Support: The i7-8665UE supports DDR3 and DDR4; the i5-4440 only DDR3.
• Memory Bandwidth: The i7-8665UE lists 38.4 GB/s; the i5-4440 has no listed figure.
• PCIe: The i7-8665UE lists Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only); the i5-4440 lists Gen 3 only.
• Integrated Graphics: The i7-8665UE has UHD Graphics 620; the i5-4440 has Intel HD 4600.
• Market Segment: The i7-8665UE is Mobile; the i5-4440 is Desktop.
• Release Date: The i7-8665UE launched on 2018-09-30; the i5-4440 on 2013-08-31.
• Transistors: The i5-4440 has 1,400 million; the i7-8665UE has no listed figure.
• Die Size: The i5-4440 is 177 mm²; the i7-8665UE has no listed figure.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-8665UE wins all three multi-core tests: Cinebench R15 (415 vs 410), R20 (1732 vs 1712), and R23 (4124 vs 4077), each by a 1.2% margin.

Q: How big is the single-core performance gap?

A: The i7-8665UE leads in all single-core tests, with margins of 1.8% in R15 (58 vs 57) and 1.2% in both R20 (244 vs 241) and R23 (582 vs 575).

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores. However, the i7-8665UE supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the i5-4440 is limited to 4 threads.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The i7-8665UE has a TDP of 15 W, while the i5-4440 has a TDP of 84 W, representing a substantial efficiency advantage for the newer part.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the i7-8665UE supports DDR4, alongside DDR3. The i5-4440 is limited to DDR3 only.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-8665UE has an average benchmark score of 1193, while the i5-4440 scores 1179. Both sit at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-8665UE is the superior processor in every benchmark conducted. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with a minimum advantage of 1.2% and a maximum of 1.8%. Its 8-thread configuration, larger 8 MB L3 cache, and higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz give it a definitive, if modest, edge over the i5-4440.

For users prioritizing raw performance, the choice is clear—the i7-8665UE delivers higher scores across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single and multi-core. The 15 W TDP also makes it dramatically more power-efficient, a critical factor for mobile deployments.

However, the i5-4440 should not be dismissed. Its 4 cores and 3.10 GHz base clock keep it within 1.8% of the i7-8665UE in all tests, making it a viable option for desktop users on Socket 1150 platforms who cannot justify a platform change. Its 84 W TDP is high, but desktop systems can accommodate that easily.

The verdict hinges on context. For new builds or mobile use, the i7-8665UE is the logical pick—it wins every benchmark and offers superior efficiency. For those with an existing Haswell-era desktop investment, the i5-4440's performance parity means an upgrade may yield minimal real-world gains, as the data shows less than a 2% difference across all workloads. The i7-8665UE is the faster chip, but the i5-4440 remains a surprisingly capable alternative given its age.