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

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i7-3635QM needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-3635QM.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Core i7-3635QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌86.7% higher power demand at 84W vs 45W.

Core i7-3635QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 84W, a 39W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,728 vs 4,788).
❌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

Core i7-3635QM

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Core i7-3635QM needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-3635QM.

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 84W, a 39W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Core i7-3635QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌86.7% higher power demand at 84W vs 45W.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,728 vs 4,788).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4440 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-4440.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4440 better than Core i7-3635QM?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i7-3635QM is ahead with a 2.8% 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 1.3% 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 better fit. You are getting 1.3% 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 $184 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Core i7-3635QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.8% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2012) 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 i7-3635QM Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-4440	Core i7-3635QM
1080p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	120 FPS	118 FPS
high	107 FPS	110 FPS
ultra	85 FPS	88 FPS
1440p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	115 FPS	118 FPS
high	89 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	70 FPS	73 FPS
4K
low	65 FPS	68 FPS
medium	57 FPS	61 FPS
high	44 FPS	47 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	37 FPS

Open Core i5-4440 Open Core i7-3635QM

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-4440	Core i7-3635QM
1080p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	120 FPS	118 FPS
high	120 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	98 FPS	111 FPS
1440p
low	120 FPS	118 FPS
medium	116 FPS	118 FPS
high	108 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	99 FPS
4K
low	105 FPS	118 FPS
medium	94 FPS	111 FPS
high	74 FPS	87 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	63 FPS

Open Core i5-4440 Open Core i7-3635QM

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-4440	Core i7-3635QM
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 i7-3635QM

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-4440	Core i7-3635QM
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 i7-3635QM

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4440 and Core i7-3635QM

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 i7-3635QM

The Core i7-3635QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,728 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-4440 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3635QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4440 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-3635QM — a 3% clock advantage for the Core i7-3635QM (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-4440 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-3635QM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4440 scores 4,788 against the Core i7-3635QM's 4,728 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-4440. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-4440	Core i7-3635QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+29%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,788+1%	4,728
Geekbench 6 Single	1,031	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,837	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4440 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3635QM uses FCBGA1224 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4440	Core i7-3635QM
Socket	LGA1150	FCBGA1224
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	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4440) / not specified (Core i7-3635QM). The Core i5-4440 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core i7-3635QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4440 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-4440 rivals Ryzen 3 1200.