CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4440S vs Intel Core i5-3330S
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4440S is a 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor launched in September 2013 as part of the Haswell generation. Operating on a 22nm manufacturing process, this CPU was designed for budget-conscious builders who needed reliable performance without the high power draw. With a base clock of 2.8 GHz and a turbo boost of up to 3.3 GHz, it delivered solid everyday computing and moderate multitasking capabilities. The 'S' suffix denotes a lower power profile, locking the TDP at 65 watts compared to the standard 84-watt models. This made it an ideal choice for small form factor builds and office environments where thermal management was crucial. It includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, allowing for media playback and light gaming without a dedicated GPU. Although long surpassed by modern standards, it remains a notable example of Intel's efficiency-focused engineering during the early 2010s.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles basic office tasks well but struggles with heavy multitasking.
4 cores handle basic office tasks well, but the lack of threads and older IPC limits heavy multitasking.
Gaming
Bottlenecks modern GPUs; suitable only for older titles.
The HD 2500 graphics are extremely weak; a dedicated GPU is required for any form of gaming.
Virtualization
Limited to very light VM usage due to 4 threads.
Can run a couple of light VMs with VT-d support, but limited by 4 threads.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for its era thanks to the 65W TDP.
The 65W TDP and 22nm process provide excellent efficiency for a desktop chip of its era.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Extremely slow for modern AI inference
- No AI hardware support
- Aging architecture makes AI inference very slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- Requires a dedicated GPU for any 3D workloads
- Will severely bottleneck modern mid-range GPUs
- Capable of running CS:GO and older source engine games
- HD 2500 graphics are only suitable for 2D applications
- Requires a discrete GPU for any 3D gaming
- Older architecture limits performance with modern GPUs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Low 65W TDP for efficient cooling
- Solid quad-core performance for legacy tasks
- Includes Intel HD 4600 graphics
- Affordable on the used market
- Good for basic office and home theater PCs
Cons
- Obsolete DDR3 platform
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- Lacks modern instruction sets
- Will bottleneck modern GPUs
- No official Windows 11 support
Pros
- Low 65W TDP for cool and quiet operation
- True quad-core design for basic multitasking
- Uses the ubiquitous LGA 1155 socket
- Supports PCIe 3.0
Cons
- Weak HD 2500 integrated graphics
- No Hyper-Threading
- End-of-life and outdated
- Locked multiplier
- DDR3 memory only
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4440S
- AMD FX-6300Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Budget Desktop
- Intel Core i5-4440Rival
Standard Desktop
- Intel Core i3-4360Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD A8-6600KRival
Budget APU
Newer Haswell Refresh with slightly better clocks.
Compare head-to-headHyper-threading and more L3 cache for heavier loads.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 1200Alt
Modern platform with upgrade path.
Modern quad-core budget alternative.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Pentium G4560Alt
Budget dual-core with HT, similar performance in many tasks.
Intel Core i5-3330S
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-3450Rival
Desktop
- AMD A8-5600KRival
Desktop APU
- Intel Core i3-3220Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-6100Rival
Desktop
A newer Haswell generation low-power CPU if upgrading within a similar tier.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GAlt
A budget modern alternative with vastly superior Vega integrated graphics.
A modern budget quad-core that obliterates this chip in every metric.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
A modern APU that offers incredible integrated graphics and CPU performance.
A budget modern CPU that offers 6 cores and 12 threads for cheap.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A reliable 65W quad-core CPU ideal for basic legacy systems, but obsolete for modern builds.
Best for: Drop-in upgrade for an existing LGA 1150 system.
Read the full reviewA reliable low-power quad-core for its time, good for basic desktop tasks, but severely lacking in graphical and multi-threaded performance today.
Best for: Reviving an old office PC for basic web browsing or as a home NAS server.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4440S or Intel Core i5-3330S?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4440S comes out ahead with a score of 6.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-4440S or Intel Core i5-3330S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4440S leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Core i5-4440S and Intel Core i5-3330S.
Do Intel Core i5-4440S and Intel Core i5-3330S use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4440S: LGA 1150, Intel Core i5-3330S: Intel Socket 1155), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-4440S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4440S (3,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.