Intel Core i5-4590S vs Intel Core i5-7440HQ Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two quad-core processors. The Intel Core i5-7440HQ wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head tests, with its strongest advantages appearing in Cinebench workloads. The i5-7440HQ leads by 5.9% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (463 vs 437), by 6.2% in R20 multi-core (1933 vs 1821), and by 6.1% in R23 multi-core (4603 vs 4338). Single-core results follow the same pattern, with the mobile chip ahead by 6.6% in R15 (65 vs 61), 5.8% in R20 (272 vs 257), and 6.0% in R23 (649 vs 612). The one exception is Geekbench multi-core, where the i5-4590S posts a 7.5% advantage (3289 vs 3043), though the i5-7440HQ still wins Geekbench single-core by 5.2% (1184 vs 1126).

The i5-7440HQ is the pick for users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering and general single-threaded responsiveness. Its 14 nm Kaby Lake architecture delivers consistent wins across every Cinebench generation, and its average benchmark score of 1527 sits 2.3% above the i5-4590S average of 1493. The desktop i5-4590S retains an edge in Geekbench multi-core, which may reflect its higher 2.90 GHz base clock and desktop-class power envelope, but that single win does not offset the mobile part's broader dominance.

For users constrained by platform, the decision is straightforward. The i5-7440HQ uses Intel BGA 1440 and belongs to the mobile segment, while the i5-4590S uses Intel Socket 1150 and targets desktops. Neither chip is unlocked, so overclocking is not a factor. The i5-7440HQ also carries a launch MSRP of $250. The i5-4590S has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-7440HQ scores 4603 versus 4338 for the i5-4590S, a 6.1% advantage.

Q: Does the i5-4590S win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 3289 compared to 3043, a 7.5% margin.

Q: Are both processors quad-core?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the power draw difference?

A: The i5-7440HQ has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i5-4590S has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The i5-7440HQ boosts to 3.80 GHz, while the i5-4590S boosts to 3.60 GHz. Their base clocks are 2.80 GHz and 2.90 GHz respectively.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-7440HQ averages 1527, while the i5-4590S averages 1493. Both sit at the 38th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The i5-7440HQ is built on Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake-H codename, fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm². The i5-4590S uses the older Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process, with a significantly larger die at 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The transistor count for the i5-7440HQ is not recorded in the database, but the die size difference alone points to the density advantage of the newer node.

Both chips share the same core and thread counts (4 cores, 4 threads) and identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The architectural generation gap shows up in integrated graphics. The i5-7440HQ pairs with Intel HD Graphics 630, while the i5-4590S uses Intel HD 4600. Neither part supports ECC memory.

The i5-7440HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i5-4590S is limited to DDR3. Both run dual-channel memory buses. PCI Express support differs as well: the i5-7440HQ lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4590S lists simply Gen 3 without lane specification. The i5-7440HQ was released on 2017-01-02 and is marked end-of-life, while the i5-4590S launched earlier on 2014-04-30 with no production status recorded. The i5-7440HQ has a recorded part number (SR32R); the i5-4590S does not.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-7440HQ | Intel Core i5-4590S |

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

| Base clock | 2.80 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Haswell |

| Process node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Die size | 126 mm² | 177 mm² |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 1,400 million |

| Memory support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR3 |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD Graphics 630 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2017-01-02 | 2014-04-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $250 | Not recorded |

| Part number | SR32R | Not recorded |

The i5-4590S holds a base clock advantage of 100 MHz (2.90 GHz vs 2.80 GHz) and a 20 watt higher TDP, which aligns with its desktop positioning. The i5-7440HQ counters with a 200 MHz boost clock advantage (3.80 GHz vs 3.60 GHz). Both are locked multipliers, so neither offers overclocking headroom. The i5-7440HQ's lower TDP and smaller die come from the 14 nm process, while the i5-4590S uses a larger 22 nm die with more transistors.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 multi-core opens the comparison with the i5-7440HQ scoring 463 against 437, a 5.9% victory. The single-core R15 test shows a slightly larger gap of 6.6%, with 65 versus 61. These early results set the tone: the Kaby Lake part wins every Cinebench test across all three versions.

Cinebench R20 maintains the pattern. Multi-core scores of 1933 versus 1821 give the i5-7440HQ a 6.2% lead, while single-core results of 272 versus 257 represent a 5.8% margin. The i5-7440HQ's advantage is remarkably consistent, hovering in the 5.8% to 6.6% range across the entire Cinebench suite.

Cinebench R23 repeats the story. The i5-7440HQ posts 4603 in multi-core versus 4338, a 6.1% win, and 649 in single-core versus 612, a 6.0% win. These numbers confirm that the architectural improvements in Kaby Lake translate into steady, repeatable performance gains over Haswell in rendering workloads.

Geekbench introduces the only reversal. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-4590S scores 3289 against 3043, a 7.5% margin that flips the expected outcome. The i5-4590S benefits from a higher base clock and a desktop power budget, which may explain why it outperforms the mobile chip in this specific multi-threaded workload despite losing every Cinebench test by roughly 6%. Geekbench single-core, however, returns to form for the i5-7440HQ with 1184 versus 1126, a 5.2% lead.

The final tally in the database records 7 wins for the i5-7440HQ and 1 for the i5-4590S. The average benchmark scores support the same conclusion: 1527 for the i5-7440HQ versus 1493 for the i5-4590S. The nearest rivals in the database place the i5-7440HQ alongside the Intel Core i5-4670S (1526, a 0% delta) and Intel Pentium Gold G7400E (1524, a 0.2% delta), while the i5-4590S sits close to the AMD Opteron 6344 (1492, a 0.1% delta) and Intel Core i7-3770S (1498, a -0.4% delta). Both chips land at the 38th percentile among all CPUs, indicating that while the i5-7440HQ is consistently faster in most tests, the overall performance class is similar.