Core i5-4400E vs Core i7-950
Core i5-4400E
Core i7-950
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-4400E is positioned at rank 1032 and the Core i7-950 is on rank 1067, so the Core i5-4400E offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4400E
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-950
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-4400E | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-4400E | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+233%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4400E and Core i7-950
Core i5-4400E
The Core i5-4400E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 3 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,251 points. Launch price was $266.
Core i7-950
The Core i7-950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,250 points. Launch price was $290.
Processing Power
The Core i5-4400E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-950 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-950 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4400E versus 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-950 — a 0.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-950 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core i5-4400E uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-950 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4400E scores 3,251 against the Core i7-950's 3,250 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-4400E. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4400E vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-950.
| Feature | Core i5-4400E | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.33 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.06 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 8 MB (total)+167% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Bloomfield (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,251 | 3,250 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-4400E uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-950 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-4400E | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1364 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4400E) / not specified (Core i7-950). The Core i5-4400E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-950 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4400E targets Embedded.
| Feature | Core i5-4400E | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4600 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Embedded | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-4400E launched at $266 MSRP, while the Core i7-950 debuted at $562. At current prices ($50 vs $15), the Core i7-950 is $35 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4400E delivers 65.0 pts/$ vs 216.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-950 — making the Core i7-950 the 107.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-4400E | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $266-53% | $562 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $15-70% |
| Performance per Dollar | 65.0 | 216.7+233% |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2009 |
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