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 i5-4440

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-2960XM.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2960XM across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Core i7-2960XM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌52.7% higher power demand at 84W vs 55W.

Core i7-2960XM

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 84W, a 29W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,709 vs 4,788).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4440.

Core i5-4440

2013

Core i7-2960XM

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-2960XM.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 84W, a 29W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2960XM across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Core i7-2960XM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌52.7% higher power demand at 84W vs 55W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,709 vs 4,788).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4440.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4440 better than Core i7-2960XM?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i7-2960XM is ahead with a 5.4% 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 1.7% better PassMark. Core i7-2960XM also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 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 1.7% 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 smarter buy today. Core i5-4440 is at an unclear MSRP at $184 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you 1.7% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Core i7-2960XM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4440 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

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 i5-4440 Benchmark Check

Core i7-2960XM Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-4440	Core i7-2960XM
1080p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	120 FPS	118 FPS
high	107 FPS	114 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	92 FPS
1440p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	115 FPS	118 FPS
high	89 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	70 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	65 FPS	66 FPS
medium	57 FPS	60 FPS
high	44 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	37 FPS

Open Core i5-4440 Open Core i7-2960XM

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-4440	Core i7-2960XM
1080p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	120 FPS	118 FPS
high	120 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	118 FPS
1440p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	116 FPS	118 FPS
high	108 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	112 FPS
4K
low	105 FPS	118 FPS
medium	94 FPS	114 FPS
high	74 FPS	93 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	68 FPS

Open Core i5-4440 Open Core i7-2960XM

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-4440	Core i7-2960XM
1080p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	120 FPS	118 FPS
high	120 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	118 FPS
1440p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	120 FPS	118 FPS
high	120 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	118 FPS
4K
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	120 FPS	118 FPS
high	120 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	118 FPS

Open Core i5-4440 Open Core i7-2960XM

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-4440	Core i7-2960XM
1080p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	120 FPS	118 FPS
high	120 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	118 FPS
1440p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	120 FPS	118 FPS
high	120 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	118 FPS
4K
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	120 FPS	118 FPS
high	120 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	120 FPS	118 FPS

Open Core i5-4440 Open Core i7-2960XM

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4440 and Core i7-2960XM

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.

Core i7-2960XM

The Core i7-2960XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,709 points. Launch price was $1,096.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4440 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2960XM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4440 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-2960XM — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-2960XM (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-4440 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-2960XM uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4440 scores 4,788 against the Core i7-2960XM's 4,709 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-4440. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4440 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2960XM.

Feature	Core i5-4440	Core i7-2960XM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+15%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,788+2%	4,709
Geekbench 6 Single	1,031	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,837	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4440 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2960XM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-4440 versus 1600 on the Core i7-2960XM — the Core i7-2960XM supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4440) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2960XM).

Feature	Core i5-4440	Core i7-2960XM
Socket	LGA1150	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	1600+53233%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+104857500%	32
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-2960XM has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4440) vs true (Core i7-2960XM). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4440) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2960XM) — 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; Core i7-2960XM rivals Core i7-2820QM.