PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-6300 vs Core i5-4440S FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-6300 vs Core i5-4440S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-6300

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $35 less on MSRP ($147 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 22.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.5 vs 24.0 PassMark/$ ($147 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Draws 51W instead of 65W, a 14W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,331 vs 4,370).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4440S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4440S.

Core i5-4440S

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i3-6300 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-6300.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-6300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.0 vs 29.5 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $147 MSRP).
❌27.5% higher power demand at 65W vs 51W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-6300 better than Core i5-4440S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-6300 is ahead with a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4440S pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core i5-4440S also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4440S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-6300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-6300 comes in $35 cheaper on MSRP at $147 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-4440S is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 22.7% better value on MSRP (29.5 vs 24.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-6300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-6300 vs Core i5-4440S Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-6300

The Core i3-6300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,331 points. Launch price was $147.

Core i5-4440S

The Core i5-4440S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,370 points. Launch price was $239.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-6300 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-4440S offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-4440S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-6300 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4440S — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-6300 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-6300 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4440S uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-6300 scores 4,331 against the Core i5-4440S's 4,370 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-4440S. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-6300 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4440S.

Feature	Core i3-6300	Core i5-4440S
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+15%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+36%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	4,331	4,370
Geekbench 6 Single	—	808

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-6300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4440S uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-6300	Core i5-4440S
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-6300) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4440S). The Core i5-4440S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i3-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4440S targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4440S rivals A10-6800K.

Feature	Core i3-6300	Core i5-4440S
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-6300 was priced at $147, while the Core i5-4440S came in at $182. On launch pricing ($147 vs $182), Core i3-6300 was $35 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-6300 delivers 29.5 pts/$ vs 24.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-4440S — making the Core i3-6300 the 20.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-6300	Core i5-4440S
MSRP	$147-19%	$182
Performance per Dollar	29.5+23%	24.0
Release Date	2015	2013

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