Core i5-4400E vs Core i7-950

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 i5-4400E vs Core i7-950 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 i5-4400E vs Core i7-950: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4400E

2013

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $296 less on MSRP ($266 MSRP vs $562 MSRP).
✅Delivers 111.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.2 vs 5.8 PassMark/$ ($266 MSRP vs $562 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i7-950 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-950 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌293.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 130W.

Core i7-950

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 130W instead of 512W, a 382W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,250 vs 3,251).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.8 vs 12.2 PassMark/$ ($562 MSRP vs $266 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4400E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4400E better than Core i7-950?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-950 is ahead with a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4400E pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Core i7-950 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4400E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4400E is the better buy right now. Core i5-4400E comes in $296 cheaper on MSRP at $266 MSRP versus $562 MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-950 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 111.3% better value on MSRP (12.2 vs 5.8 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4400E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4400E vs Core i7-950 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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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	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4400E was priced at $266, while the Core i7-950 came in at $562. On launch pricing ($266 vs $562), Core i5-4400E was $296 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4400E delivers 12.2 pts/$ vs 5.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-950 — making the Core i5-4400E the 71.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4400E	Core i7-950
MSRP	$266-53%	$562
Performance per Dollar	12.2+110%	5.8
Release Date	2013	2009

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