Core i5-3550 vs Core i5-4440

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 i5-3550 vs Core i5-4440 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 i5-3550 vs Core i5-4440: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3550

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 77W instead of 84W, a 7W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,778 vs 4,788).
❌
5.4% HIGHER MSRP
$194 MSRPvs$184 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4440 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4440.

Core i5-4440

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($184 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i5-3550 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-3550.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4440 better than Core i5-3550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3550 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4440 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4440 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4440 is the better buy right now. Core i5-4440 comes in $10 cheaper on MSRP at $184 MSRP versus $194 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-3550 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 5.7% better value on MSRP (26.0 vs 24.6 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4440 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3550 vs Core i5-4440 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3550

The Core i5-3550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,778 points. Launch price was $205.

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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3550 and Core i5-4440 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4440 — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-3550 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-4440 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the Core i5-4440's 4,788 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-4440. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-4440
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+12%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+6%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	4,778	4,788
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,031
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,837

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-4440 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-4440
Socket	LGA1155	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 i5-3550) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4440). The Core i5-4440 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i5-3550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4440 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-4440 rivals Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-4440
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Budget

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3550 was priced at $194, while the Core i5-4440 came in at $184. On launch pricing ($194 vs $184), Core i5-4440 was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 26.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-4440 — making the Core i5-4440 the 5.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-4440
MSRP	$194	$184-5%
Performance per Dollar	24.6	26.0+6%
Release Date	2012	2013

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