Intel Core i5-4440S vs Intel Processor N95 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a split decision between these two processors, with each claiming victories in different workloads. The Intel Processor N95 wins three of the four recorded head-to-head comparisons, but the Intel Core i5-4440S takes the most decisive win in the multi-core Cinebench R23 test.

The largest margin of victory belongs to the Intel Processor N95 in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 151 against the i5-4440S's 52, a delta of -65.6% from the perspective of the older chip. That is a commanding lead, more than tripling the older processor's score. The N95 also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 445 versus 375, a 15.7% gap, and Cinebench R23 single-core with 914 versus 526, a 42.5% advantage.

The Intel Core i5-4440S answers back in Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 3729 against the N95's 2769, a 34.7% delta in its favor. This is a substantial reversal, showing that in sustained all-core rendering workloads, the older Haswell design still holds a clear edge. Interestingly, the i5-4440S has no Cinebench R20 benchmark recorded in the database for the N95, so the only multi-core comparisons available are R15 and R23. The R15 result favors the N95, while the R23 result strongly favors the i5-4440S, suggesting that workload duration and scaling characteristics matter significantly here.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story of near-parity overall. The i5-4440S averages 1078 across all recorded tests, while the N95 averages 1070. The nearest rivals for the i5-4440S include the AMD A12-9800 at 1081 (a -0.2% delta), the Intel Pentium Gold G6505T at 1082 (-0.3%), and the Intel Pentium Gold G6505 at 1074 (+0.4%). For the N95, its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2820QM at 1069 (+0.1%), the AMD Opteron 3380 at 1071 (-0.1%), and the AMD Athlon X4 880K at 1071 (-0.1%). Both processors sit in the 29th to 30th percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating they are entry-level performers by modern standards.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors spans a decade of Intel design philosophy. The Intel Core i5-4440S uses the Haswell architecture, built on Intel's 22 nm process node. It packs 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die. The processor is a desktop part with four cores and four threads, no hyper-threading, and a base clock of 2.80 GHz with a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. Its thermal design power is 65 watts, and it uses the Intel Socket 1150 platform.

The Intel Processor N95 uses the Gracemont architecture, part of the Alder Lake-N family, built on Intel's 10 nm process node. It also has four cores and four threads, but with a base clock listed at 100.00 GHz in the database (likely a data entry quirk, but that is the recorded figure) and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Its thermal design power is dramatically lower at 15 watts, and it uses the Intel BGA 1264 socket, marking it as a mobile-focused part.

Cache layouts differ notably. The i5-4440S has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The N95 has a larger 96 KB of L1 per core, but its L2 is 2 MB shared across all cores, and it also has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The L3 totals are identical, but the L2 distribution reflects different design priorities: the older chip dedicates per-core L2, while the newer chip pools it.

Memory support is another clear divider. The i5-4440S supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus. The N95 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but only via a single-channel bus, and the database records a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s for the N95. The i5-4440S has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. Both processors lack ECC memory support and both have locked multipliers. The integrated graphics differ: the i5-4440S carries Intel HD 4600, while the N95 has UHD Graphics 710. PCIe support is Gen 3 for both, though the N95 is listed with 9 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4440S has no lane count specified.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4440S wins in sustained multi-core rendering, specifically in Cinebench R23 multi-core where it leads by 34.7%. This suggests that workloads which can fully utilize all four cores over an extended period favor the older Haswell design, likely due to its higher sustained power envelope and the dual-channel memory interface. For users running long multi-threaded encodes, batch rendering, or compilation tasks, the i5-4440S is the stronger choice based on this data.

The Intel Processor N95 wins decisively in single-core performance across both Cinebench R15 and R23, with deltas of -65.6% and -42.5% respectively. This makes it the better option for lightly threaded applications such as web browsing, office productivity, and single-threaded legacy software. Its R15 multi-core win (445 vs 375, a 15.7% delta) also suggests that in shorter multi-core bursts, the N95 can outpace the older chip, possibly due to its higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz versus the i5-4440S's 3.30 GHz.

The N95 also wins on power efficiency by a wide margin, with a 15 watt TDP versus 65 watts for the i5-4440S. This is not a benchmark score, but it is a recorded specification that directly impacts where each processor makes sense. The N95 is a mobile part with a BGA socket, suited for compact or fanless designs, while the i5-4440S is a desktop socket part requiring a conventional cooling solution.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The i5-4440S has a base clock of 2.80 GHz, while the N95 has a recorded base clock of 100.00 GHz (as listed in the database). The boost clocks are closer: 3.30 GHz for the i5-4440S versus 3.40 GHz for the N95. Thermal design power is 65 watts for the i5-4440S and 15 watts for the N95. The sockets are entirely different: Intel Socket 1150 for the i5-4440S versus Intel BGA 1264 for the N95.

The architecture and process node differ: Haswell on 22 nm for the i5-4440S, Gracemont on 10 nm for the N95. The i5-4440S has 1,400 million transistors and a 177 mm² die size, while the N95 has no recorded transistor count or die size. Cache configurations differ in L1 and L2: the i5-4440S has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, while the N95 has 96 KB L1 per core and 2 MB shared L2. Both have 6 MB of shared L3.

Memory support differs: the i5-4440S uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus, while the N95 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel bus and a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4600 for the i5-4440S versus UHD Graphics 710 for the N95. The market segment is Desktop for the i5-4440S and Mobile for the N95. The release dates are far apart: the i5-4440S launched in 2013, while the N95 launched in 2023. The N95 has an active production status, while the i5-4440S has no recorded status. The i5-4440S has a part number (SR14L), while the N95 does not.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Processor N95 wins both recorded single-core tests. It scores 151 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 52 for the i5-4440S, and 914 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 526.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core rendering?

A: It depends on the test. The N95 wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 445 versus 375, but the i5-4440S wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 3729 versus 2769, a 34.7% margin.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The i5-4440S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the N95 has a TDP of 15 watts. This makes the N95 significantly more power-efficient on paper.

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

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. They also both lack ECC memory support and have locked multipliers.

Q: Which processor supports newer memory types?

A: The N95 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the i5-4440S supports only DDR3. The N95 uses a single-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-4440S uses a dual-channel bus with no recorded bandwidth.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i5-4440S has an average benchmark score of 1078, placing it within 0.4% of rivals like the AMD A12-9800 and Intel Pentium Gold G6505. The N95 averages 1070, within 0.2% of rivals like the Intel Core i7-2820QM and AMD Opteron 3380.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear use-case split. For users prioritizing modern single-core performance and power efficiency, the Intel Processor N95 is the better choice. It leads in both single-core benchmarks by large margins, wins the shorter multi-core test, and does so at a fraction of the power draw. Its support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory and its mobile BGA socket also make it suitable for compact, low-power systems.

For users who need maximum sustained multi-core throughput, the Intel Core i5-4440S is the winner. Its 34.7% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core is decisive, and its dual-channel memory bus likely contributes to that result. The i5-4440S is a desktop part with a conventional socket, making it a candidate for older Socket 1150 builds.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1078 vs 1070), and both processors sit in the 29th to 30th percentile of all CPUs. This means the choice comes down to workload: the N95 for single-threaded and efficiency-focused tasks, the i5-4440S for multi-core rendering. Neither processor is a top performer, but each has a distinct role. The N95's active production status and 2023 release date make it the more future-proof option, while the i5-4440S represents an older platform that still holds its own in specific multi-core scenarios.