CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4440S vs Intel Core i5-4590S
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.
Solid for everyday office apps and web browsing.
Gaming
Bottlenecks modern GPUs; suitable only for older titles.
Handles older games fine but bottlenecks modern mid-range GPUs.
Virtualization
Limited to very light VM usage due to 4 threads.
Limited to light VM usage.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for its era thanks to the 65W TDP.
Excellent power-to-performance ratio for its era.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Extremely slow for modern AI inference
- No AI acceleration
- Unsuitable for modern AI tasks
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
- Requires a dedicated GPU
- Pairs well with GTX 1050 Ti or RX 570
- Will struggle with modern CPU-bound titles
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
- Decent single-core performance for legacy apps
- Affordable used drop-in upgrade
- Intel HD 4600 graphics included
- Good for basic office and HTPC use
Cons
- Obsolete DDR3 platform
- Locked multiplier
- No official Windows 11 support
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Limited to 4 threads
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 i5-4590S
- AMD FX-8350Rival
High-End Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570SRival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4590Rival
Standard Desktop
- AMD FX-8320ERival
Low Power Desktop
- Intel Core i3-4370Rival
Budget Desktop
Newer Haswell Refresh with slightly higher clocks.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i7-4790SAlt
Hyper-threaded efficient alternative.
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GAlt
Modern budget APU alternative.
Modern budget hexa-core alternative.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Alt
Modern budget hexa-core alternative.
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 solid Haswell Refresh chip that slightly improves clocks over the 4570S while maintaining 65W efficiency.
Best for: Drop-in upgrade for an older LGA 1150 motherboard.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4440S or Intel Core i5-4590S?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4590S comes out ahead with a score of 7/10. 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 i5-4590S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4590S leads with a gaming performance score of 48/100 among Intel Core i5-4440S and Intel Core i5-4590S.
Do Intel Core i5-4440S and Intel Core i5-4590S use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1150 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-4590S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4440S (3,200), Intel Core i5-4590S (3,700). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.