Core i5-4440 vs N250

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 i5-4440 vs N250 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 i5-4440 vs N250: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4440

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while N250 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike N250.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while N250 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA1150, while N250 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

N250

2025

Why buy it

✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1150 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,773 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 N250?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, N250 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4440 pulls ahead with 0.3% 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 stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% 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 better buy right now. Core i5-4440 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $184 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that N250 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

N250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2013) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA1150. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-4440 vs N250 Technical Specifications

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

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.

N250

The N250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 4,773 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4440 and N250 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4440 versus 3.8 GHz on the N250 — a 14.1% clock advantage for the N250. The Core i5-4440 is built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-4440 scores 4,788 against the N250's 4,773 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-4440. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4440 vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N250.

Feature	Core i5-4440	N250
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.8 GHz+15%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	—
PassMark	4,788	4,773
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 N250 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4440	N250
Socket	LGA1150	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4440) / not specified (N250). The Core i5-4440 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the N250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4440 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-4440 rivals Ryzen 3 1200.