Intel Core i5-4440S vs Intel Core i7-10510Y Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split is unusually one-sided. The Intel Core i5-4440S wins all five recorded head-to-head tests, covering both multi-core and single-core workloads across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The i7-10510Y does not take a single victory in any recorded benchmark. The data shows a consistent 17.5% to 17.7% advantage for the desktop part in every test where both processors have recorded scores.

For multi-threaded productivity, the i5-4440S leads by 17.6% in Cinebench R15 multicore (375 vs 319) and the same 17.6% in Cinebench R20 multicore (1566 vs 1332). In Cinebench R23 multicore, the margin narrows slightly to 17.5% (3729 vs 3173). These results indicate that the older desktop chip sustains higher sustained throughput, likely due to its 65 W power envelope versus the 9 W mobile part.

Single-core performance follows the same pattern. The i5-4440S beats the i7-10510Y by 17.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core (220 vs 187) and by 17.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core (526 vs 447). This is notable because the mobile chip has a much higher boost clock on paper, yet the recorded scores still favor the desktop chip. The practical takeaway: if you are choosing between these two for any Cinebench-style workload, the i5-4440S is the stronger performer across the board.

The overall average benchmark score tells a slightly different story. The i7-10510Y posts an average of 1092 across all its recorded benchmarks, while the i5-4440S averages 1078. This happens because the i7-10510Y has fewer recorded tests, and its missing Cinebench R15 single-core result (which would likely be low) skews its average upward. The head-to-head data, which is the most direct comparison, remains firmly in favor of the i5-4440S.

Architecture Differences

These two processors come from different eras and serve different market segments. The i5-4440S is a desktop part based on the Haswell architecture, built on Intel's 22 nm process. It uses the Intel Socket 1150 platform and was released in 2013. The i7-10510Y is a mobile processor from the Comet Lake-Y family, built on a 14 nm process, using Intel BGA 1440, and released in 2019. The process node difference is significant: 22 nm versus 14 nm, with the newer chip benefiting from a denser manufacturing process despite fewer years of architectural advancement.

Core and thread counts differ despite both having four physical cores. The i5-4440S has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no Hyper-Threading. The i7-10510Y has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling two threads per core. This should theoretically give the mobile chip an advantage in heavily threaded workloads, but the benchmark data shows the opposite. The desktop chip's higher sustained clocks and larger thermal budget overcome the thread count disadvantage.

Cache configurations also differ. The i5-4440S has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i7-10510Y has the same per-core L1 and L2 sizes but a larger 8 MB shared L3. The extra 2 MB of L3 on the mobile chip does not translate into better benchmark results. Memory support is DDR3 for both, with the i5-4440S specifying dual-channel operation while the i7-10510Y does not list a memory bus configuration.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-4440S includes Intel HD 4600, while the i7-10510Y uses UHD Graphics. The mobile chip's graphics solution is newer, but no benchmark data exists in the database for either iGPU. The i5-4440S supports PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-10510Y does not list PCIe information. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack ECC memory support.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive result is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i5-4440S scores 526 against the i7-10510Y's 447, a 17.7% delta. This is the largest percentage margin in any test. The mobile chip's boost clock of 4.50 GHz appears on paper to be far higher than the desktop chip's 3.30 GHz boost, yet the measured single-core performance favors the older part. This suggests that the 9 W power limit severely restricts the i7-10510Y's ability to sustain high clocks even in short bursts.

Cinebench R15 multicore shows a 17.6% win for the i5-4440S (375 vs 319). This test is older and less demanding than R23, but the margin remains consistent. Cinebench R20 multicore mirrors that exact 17.6% delta (1566 vs 1332). The consistency across three different Cinebench versions indicates a stable performance gap that does not vary with workload intensity.

Cinebench R20 single-core gives the i5-4440S a 220 score versus 187 for the i7-10510Y, again 17.6%. Cinebench R23 multicore rounds out the results with 3729 vs 3173, a 17.5% delta. All five tests fall within a narrow 0.2 percentage point range, suggesting the performance difference is systematic rather than workload-specific.

The i7-10510Y does have a higher average benchmark score (1092 vs 1078), but this is misleading. The database shows the i7-10510Y is missing its Cinebench R15 single-core result, which would likely be lower than the i5-4440S's 52 in that test. When comparing only the shared tests, the i5-4440S wins every time. The percentile ranking for both parts is identical at 30th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the same broad performance tier despite the head-to-head differences.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i5-4440S if you need raw performance in Cinebench-style workloads. It wins all five recorded head-to-head tests with margins between 17.5% and 17.7%. The desktop form factor, 65 W TDP, and Socket 1150 platform make it suitable for stationary builds where power consumption is not the primary concern. Its 4-core, 4-thread configuration is enough for everyday productivity, and the 6 MB L3 cache handles moderate multitasking.

Choose the Intel Core i7-10510Y only if you require a mobile form factor. Its 9 W TDP and BGA 1440 socket indicate it belongs in thin and light laptops, not desktop systems. The 8 threads provide better responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks that can use simultaneous multithreading, but the measured single-core and multi-core Cinebench scores are consistently lower. The 8 MB L3 cache is larger, but this does not compensate for the performance deficit in the recorded benchmarks.

For a desktop replacement or stationary mini-PC, the i5-4440S is the clear winner based on the data. For an ultraportable laptop, the i7-10510Y is the only viable option due to its socket and power requirements, but you should expect lower Cinebench scores than the older desktop part. Neither chip is unlocked for overclocking, and both share DDR3 memory support, so the decision comes down to platform needs versus raw benchmark performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The i5-4440S wins every single-core test. It scores 220 vs 187 in Cinebench R20 single-core (17.6% ahead) and 526 vs 447 in Cinebench R23 single-core (17.7% ahead).

Q: Does the i7-10510Y's higher boost clock help it win any benchmarks?

A: No. Despite a 4.50 GHz boost clock versus the i5-4440S's 3.30 GHz, the i7-10510Y loses all five recorded head-to-head tests. The 9 W TDP appears to limit sustained performance.

Q: How do the thread counts compare?

A: The i5-4440S has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i7-10510Y has 4 cores and 8 threads. The extra threads do not translate into benchmark wins, as the i5-4440S leads by 17.5% to 17.6% in multi-core tests.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The i7-10510Y averages 1092, while the i5-4440S averages 1078. However, the i7-10510Y is missing one recorded test (Cinebench R15 single-core), which affects the comparison. In shared tests, the i5-4440S wins all five.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-10510Y has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4440S has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both have locked multipliers. The i5-4440S has part number SR14L, while the i7-10510Y does not list a part number in the database.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4440S | Intel Core i7-10510Y |

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

| Architecture | Haswell | Comet Lake (Comet Lake-Y) |

| Process node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.80 GHz | 1200.00 MHz (1.20 GHz) |

| Boost clock | 3.30 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 9 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| L3 cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Not specified |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Not specified |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 4600 | UHD Graphics |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2013-08-31 | 2019-08-20 |

| Production status | Not specified | Active |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not specified |

| Die size | 177 mm² | Not specified |

| Part number | SR14L | Not specified |