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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i3-7350K

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $5 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Draws 60W instead of 84W, a 24W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,740 vs 2,837).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4440.

Core i5-4440

2013

Why buy it

✅+3.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-7350K.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7350K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
2.8% HIGHER MSRP
$184 MSRPvs$179 MSRP
❌40% higher power demand at 84W vs 60W.

Core i3-7350K

2017

Core i5-4440

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $5 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
✅Draws 60W instead of 84W, a 24W reduction.

Why buy it

✅+3.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-7350K.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (2,740 vs 2,837).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4440.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-7350K across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
2.8% HIGHER MSRP
$184 MSRPvs$179 MSRP
❌40% higher power demand at 84W vs 60W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-7350K better than Core i5-4440?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i3-7350K is ahead with a 9.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4440 pulls ahead with 3.5% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i5-4440 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 i5-4440 is the better fit. You are getting 3.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also carries 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 i3-7350K is the smarter buy today. Core i3-7350K is $5 cheaper on MSRP at $179 MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that Core i5-4440 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 3.5% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 4.9% better value on MSRP (27.3 vs 26.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i3-7350K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-7350K Benchmark Check

Core i5-4440 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i3-7350K	Core i5-4440
1080p
low	122 FPS	120 FPS
medium	122 FPS	120 FPS
high	122 FPS	107 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	85 FPS
1440p
low	122 FPS	120 FPS
medium	122 FPS	115 FPS
high	104 FPS	89 FPS
ultra	74 FPS	70 FPS
4K
low	74 FPS	65 FPS
medium	61 FPS	57 FPS
high	47 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	34 FPS

Open Core i3-7350K Open Core i5-4440

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i3-7350K	Core i5-4440
1080p
low	122 FPS	120 FPS
medium	122 FPS	120 FPS
high	122 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	122 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	122 FPS	120 FPS
medium	122 FPS	116 FPS
high	122 FPS	108 FPS
ultra	109 FPS	87 FPS
4K
low	122 FPS	105 FPS
medium	105 FPS	94 FPS
high	79 FPS	74 FPS
ultra	62 FPS	55 FPS

Open Core i3-7350K Open Core i5-4440

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i3-7350K	Core i5-4440
1080p
low	122 FPS	120 FPS
medium	122 FPS	120 FPS
high	122 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	122 FPS	120 FPS
1440p
low	122 FPS	120 FPS
medium	122 FPS	120 FPS
high	122 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	122 FPS	120 FPS
4K
low	122 FPS	120 FPS
medium	122 FPS	120 FPS
high	122 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	122 FPS	120 FPS

Open Core i3-7350K Open Core i5-4440

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i3-7350K	Core i5-4440
1080p
low	122 FPS	120 FPS
medium	122 FPS	120 FPS
high	122 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	122 FPS	120 FPS
1440p
low	122 FPS	120 FPS
medium	122 FPS	120 FPS
high	122 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	122 FPS	120 FPS
4K
low	122 FPS	120 FPS
medium	122 FPS	120 FPS
high	122 FPS	120 FPS
ultra	122 FPS	120 FPS

Open Core i3-7350K Open Core i5-4440

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7350K and Core i5-4440

Core i3-7350K

The Core i3-7350K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,886 points. Launch price was $179.

Core i5-4440

The Core i5-4440 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 3.1 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): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,788 points. Launch price was $335.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-7350K packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-4440 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-4440 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i3-7350K versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4440 — a 24% clock advantage for the Core i3-7350K (base: 4.2 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-7350K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-4440 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7350K scores 4,886 against the Core i5-4440's 4,788 — a 2% lead for the Core i3-7350K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,298 vs 1,031, a 22.9% lead for the Core i3-7350K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,740 vs 2,837 (3.5% advantage for the Core i5-4440). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7350K vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4440.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Core i5-4440
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+27%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	4.2 GHz+35%	3.1 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	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	4,886+2%	4,788
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,100	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,298+26%	1,031
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,740	2,837+4%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7350K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4440 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7350K versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-4440 — the Core i3-7350K supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7350K supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z270,Intel Z170,Intel H270,Intel B250,Intel Q270,Intel Q250 (Core i3-7350K) and H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4440).

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Core i5-4440
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+33%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: true (Core i3-7350K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4440). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7350K) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4440) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4440 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-4440 rivals Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i3-7350K	Core i5-4440
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-7350K launched at $179 MSRP, while the Core i5-4440 debuted at $184. On MSRP ($179 vs $184), the Core i3-7350K is $5 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7350K delivers 27.3 pts/$ vs 26.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-4440 — making the Core i3-7350K the 4.8% better value option.