Core i5-6440EQ vs Core i7-4712MQ

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 i5-6440EQ vs Core i7-4712MQ 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 i5-6440EQ vs Core i7-4712MQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6440EQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $128 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅Delivers 51.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.3 vs 14.1 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Core i7-4712MQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4712MQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌21.6% higher power demand at 45W vs 37W.

Core i7-4712MQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 37W instead of 45W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,315 vs 5,329).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.1 vs 21.3 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6440EQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6440EQ better than Core i7-4712MQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4712MQ is ahead with a 19.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6440EQ pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i7-4712MQ 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 i5-6440EQ 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 i5-6440EQ is the better buy right now. Core i5-6440EQ comes in $128 cheaper on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4712MQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 19.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 51.6% better value on MSRP (21.3 vs 14.1 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6440EQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 i5-6440EQ vs Core i7-4712MQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6440EQ

The Core i5-6440EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,329 points. Launch price was $250.

Core i7-4712MQ

The Core i7-4712MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 May 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,315 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6440EQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4712MQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-6440EQ versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i7-4712MQ — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i7-4712MQ. The Core i5-6440EQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4712MQ uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6440EQ scores 5,329 against the Core i7-4712MQ's 5,315 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-6440EQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6440EQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4712MQ.

Feature	Core i5-6440EQ	Core i7-4712MQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+22%
Base Clock	—	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	5,329	5,315
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	900	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,136	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6440EQ) / not specified (Core i7-4712MQ). The Core i5-6440EQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i7-4712MQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6440EQ targets Workstation.

Feature	Core i5-6440EQ	Core i7-4712MQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Workstation	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6440EQ was priced at $250, while the Core i7-4712MQ came in at $378. On launch pricing ($250 vs $378), Core i5-6440EQ was $128 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6440EQ delivers 21.3 pts/$ vs 14.1 pts/$ for the Core i7-4712MQ — making the Core i5-6440EQ the 41% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6440EQ	Core i7-4712MQ
MSRP	$250-34%	$378
Performance per Dollar	21.3+51%	14.1
Release Date	2015	2013

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