Core i5-4400E vs Pentium Gold 4417U

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 Pentium Gold 4417U 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 Pentium Gold 4417U: 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

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Pentium Gold 4417U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.2 vs 20.1 PassMark/$ ($266 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
❌51100% higher power demand at 512W vs 1W.

Pentium Gold 4417U

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $105 less on MSRP ($161 MSRP vs $266 MSRP).
✅Delivers 64.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.1 vs 12.2 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $266 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 512W, a 511W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,240 vs 3,251).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌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 Pentium Gold 4417U?

Yes. Core i5-4400E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-4400E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i5-4400E is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-4400E comes in 65.2% more expensive on MSRP at $266 MSRP versus $161 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium Gold 4417U only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

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

Pentium Gold 4417U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4400E vs Pentium Gold 4417U 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.

Pentium Gold 4417U

The Pentium Gold 4417U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,240 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4400E and Pentium Gold 4417U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4400E versus 2.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold 4417U — a 35.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-4400E (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-4400E uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium Gold 4417U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4400E scores 3,251 against the Pentium Gold 4417U's 3,240 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-4400E. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4400E vs 2 MB on the Pentium Gold 4417U.

Feature	Core i5-4400E	Pentium Gold 4417U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+43%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+17%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	1 MB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,251	3,240

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4400E uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold 4417U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4400E	Pentium Gold 4417U
Socket	BGA1364	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
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 (Pentium Gold 4417U). The Core i5-4400E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Pentium Gold 4417U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4400E targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i5-4400E	Pentium Gold 4417U
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 Pentium Gold 4417U came in at $161. On launch pricing ($266 vs $161), Pentium Gold 4417U was $105 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4400E delivers 12.2 pts/$ vs 20.1 pts/$ for the Pentium Gold 4417U — making the Pentium Gold 4417U the 48.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4400E	Pentium Gold 4417U
MSRP	$266	$161-39%
Performance per Dollar	12.2	20.1+65%
Release Date	2013	2019

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