Intel Core i5-4440S vs Intel Core i5-4570TE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440S has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i5-4570TE has only 2 physical cores. Both processors support 4 threads total.

Q: How do the two chips compare in terms of power consumption?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570TE has a TDP of 35 watts, which is significantly lower than the 65-watt TDP of the Intel Core i5-4440S. This makes the 4570TE the more power-efficient option.

Q: What is the difference in their boost clock speeds?

A: Both processors share the same boost clock speed of 3.30 GHz. However, their base clocks differ: the 4570TE runs at 2.70 GHz, while the 4440S has a base clock of 2.80 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-4440S features 6 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the Intel Core i5-4570TE has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. This gives the 4440S a 50% advantage in cache capacity.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket and memory type?

A: Yes, both are built for Intel Socket 1150 and support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration. They also both utilize PCIe Gen 3 and feature Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics.

Q: What is the overall benchmark percentile ranking for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570TE ranks in the 29th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core i5-4440S ranks slightly higher in the 30th percentile. Their average benchmark scores are 1062 and 1078, respectively.

Architecture Differences

Both processors come from the same Haswell architecture generation and are manufactured on Intel's 22 nm process node. They share identical transistor counts of 1,400 million and the same die size of 177 mm². The foundry is Intel for both chips, and neither has an unlocked multiplier, meaning overclocking is not supported on either part.

The core configuration is where the architectures diverge meaningfully. The i5-4570TE is a dual-core part with Hyper-Threading, providing 2 cores and 4 threads. The i5-4440S is a true quad-core processor with 4 cores and 4 threads, without Hyper-Threading. This difference in physical core count has a direct impact on multi-threaded workloads, as the 4440S can process four threads simultaneously without relying on shared execution resources.

The cache hierarchy also differs between the two. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. However, the L3 cache is 4 MB shared on the 4570TE versus 6 MB shared on the 4440S. This additional 2 MB of L3 cache on the 4440S can improve performance in workloads that benefit from larger working sets being held closer to the cores.

The base clock speeds differ slightly: the 4570TE runs at 2.70 GHz, while the 4440S runs at 2.80 GHz. Boost clocks are identical at 3.30 GHz. The power envelope is a major architectural distinction: the 4570TE is rated at 35 W TDP, making it a low-power variant, while the 4440S consumes 65 W. This indicates the 4570TE was designed for thermally constrained environments, while the 4440S targets more conventional desktop use.

Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both are classified as desktop market segments. The release dates are close: the 4570TE launched in June 2013, and the 4440S followed in August 2013. Part numbers differ (SR172 for the 4570TE, SR14L for the 4440S), confirming they are distinct silicon revisions.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-4440S wins every recorded head-to-head test. Across five benchmark entries, the 4440S takes all five victories, while the 4570TE records zero wins. This is a complete sweep in favor of the quad-core part.

The 4440S excels in multi-threaded workloads, as expected from its 4 physical cores. In Cinebench tests, it consistently outperforms the 4570TE by roughly 28% in both multicore and singlecore scenarios. This makes the 4440S the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, and any application that scales with core count or benefits from higher per-core performance.

The 4570TE does not win in any benchmark category. Its advantage lies outside raw performance: the 35 W TDP makes it suitable for compact or low-power systems where thermal output is a priority over processing speed. The data shows that the 4570TE trades performance for efficiency, and in scenarios where power draw is the limiting factor, it remains a viable option despite losing all benchmark comparisons.

For users prioritizing performance per watt, the 4570TE offers a path to adequate compute in a 35 W envelope. For users prioritizing absolute performance, the 4440S is the only choice based on the recorded measurements.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Core i5-4570TE and the Intel Core i5-4440S:

• Cores: 2 (4570TE) vs 4 (4440S)
• Threads: 4 (both, but via different methods: Hyper-Threading on 4570TE, native on 4440S)
• Base Clock: 2.70 GHz (4570TE) vs 2.80 GHz (4440S)
• Boost Clock: 3.30 GHz (both, no difference)
• TDP: 35 W (4570TE) vs 65 W (4440S)
• L3 Cache: 4 MB shared (4570TE) vs 6 MB shared (4440S)
• Release Date: June 2013 (4570TE) vs August 2013 (4440S)
• Part Number: SR172 (4570TE) vs SR14L (4440S)

Identical specifications include the socket (Intel Socket 1150), architecture (Haswell), process node (22 nm), foundry (Intel), transistor count (1,400 million), die size (177 mm²), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), memory support (DDR3 dual-channel), ECC support (none), PCIe version (Gen 3), integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), market segment (Desktop), and unlocked multiplier (false for both).

The avgBenchmarkScore also differs: 1062 for the 4570TE and 1078 for the 4440S. The percentileVsAllCpus ranks them at 29 and 30, respectively. The 4440S has a slightly higher average score, consistent with its benchmark wins.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent margin of victory for the Intel Core i5-4440S across all Cinebench tests. The deltas are remarkably uniform, hovering around -28% from the perspective of the 4570TE.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 4440S scores 375 versus 270 for the 4570TE, a delta of -28%. This early benchmark establishes the pattern that persists throughout the suite.

Cinebench R20 multicore shows the 4440S at 1566 and the 4570TE at 1126, a delta of -28.1%. The singlecore R20 test follows the same trend: 220 for the 4440S versus 158 for the 4570TE, also -28.2%.

Cinebench R23 multicore results show the 4440S achieving 3729 while the 4570TE reaches 2681, a -28.1% delta. The R23 singlecore test has the 4440S at 526 and the 4570TE at 378, again -28.1%.

The 4570TE has additional benchmark entries not present in the head-to-head table: Geekbench multicore at 1857 and singlecore at 966. The 4440S lacks corresponding Geekbench entries in the recorded data, so no direct comparison is possible for those tests. However, the Cinebench results are consistent and comprehensive enough to establish the performance hierarchy.

The uniformity of the delta across different Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) and across both singlecore and multicore tests suggests a fundamental per-core performance advantage for the 4440S, not merely a core-count effect. The 4440S is roughly 28% faster in every measured scenario, which aligns with its higher base clock (2.80 vs 2.70 GHz) and larger L3 cache, though the exact contribution of each factor cannot be isolated from this data.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear performance winner: the Intel Core i5-4440S outperforms the Intel Core i5-4570TE in every benchmark test where both were measured. The 4440S wins 5 out of 5 head-to-head comparisons, with a consistent margin of approximately 28% across all Cinebench workloads.

Users who need maximum processing power for desktop applications should select the i5-4440S. Its 4 physical cores and 6 MB L3 cache provide a substantial advantage in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks. The benchmark results show no scenario where the 4570TE comes out ahead, making the 4440S the only rational choice for performance-focused builds.

The i5-4570TE, despite its 0 wins, serves a specific niche. Its 35 W TDP is nearly half that of the 4440S (65 W). For systems where power consumption and heat dissipation are primary constraints, such as small form factor PCs or always-on systems, the 4570TE offers a viable path to Haswell-class performance within a tighter thermal budget. The data does not show any performance advantage, but the efficiency profile is evident from the TDP specification.

The average benchmark scores (1062 for the 4570TE, 1078 for the 4440S) and percentile rankings (29 vs 30) are close, suggesting that in the broader context of all CPUs, these two chips are competitive with similar-tier parts. The nearest rivals for the 4570TE include the AMD Opteron 4376 HE (0.1% delta), Intel Core i5-2380P (-0.1%), Intel Core i3-4360 (0.1%), and Intel Xeon W3580 (-0.2%). The 4440S's nearest rivals are the AMD A12-9800 (-0.2%), Intel Pentium Gold G6505T (-0.3%), Intel Pentium Gold G6505 (0.4%), and Intel Core i5-3335S (-0.4%). These tight deltas indicate that both processors sit in a crowded performance band.

In summary, the i5-4440S is the superior processor for any workload measured. The i5-4570TE is the choice only when the 35 W power envelope is a hard requirement. For all other scenarios, the data supports the 4440S as the better buy, purely on performance merits.