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Intel

Core i5-3550

▲ 54339 ▼

4 Cores, 4 Threads @3.3 GHz, Ivy Bridge.
Release date ≤ Q4 2013.

Average Bench: 68.6% (445th of 1463)

more Based on 23,599 user benchmarks.  Devices: BFEBFBFF000306A9, , BFEBFBFF000306A8, 00004E414C206472, 4920555043070506, 4920555043080306 Model: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3550 CPU @ 3.30GHz
Poor: 54%Average: 68.6% Great: 78%
Gaming
Gaming 69%
Battle cruiser
Desktop
Desktop 73%
Battleship
Workstation
Workstation 51%
Yacht

Popular builds with this CPU

Above average average bench

The Intel Core i5-3550 averaged 31.3% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 82.5Pts
Avg. Single Core Speed 90.5Pts

Good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i5-3550 is 24.1%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i5-3550 performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 328Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 326Pts

Average Bench

(Based on 23,599 samples)
Rank 44568.6%
Min Avg Max
68 Memory 82.5 92.8
68.2 1-Core 90.5 99
133 2-Core 177 196
68.1% 117 Pts
Min Avg Max
191 4-Core 317 375
226 8-Core 326 376
42.8% 321 Pts
Min Avg Max
223 64-Core 328 376
20.3% 328 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
77.3% Very good
Memory 92.3
1-Core 94.7
2-Core 186
73% 124 Pts
4-Core 362
8-Core 362
48% 362 Pts
64-Core 362
22% 362 Pts
CPUSocket, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
75.6% Very good
Memory 90.1
1-Core 94.4
2-Core 184
72% 123 Pts
4-Core 354
8-Core 353
47% 354 Pts
64-Core 354
22% 354 Pts
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3550 CPU @ 3.30GHz, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.7 GHz, turbo 3.95 GHz (avg)
75.2% Very good
Memory 88.5
1-Core 94.8
2-Core 184
72% 122 Pts
4-Core 359
8-Core 357
48% 358 Pts
64-Core 360
22% 360 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
72.4% Very good
Memory 85.3
1-Core 83.8
2-Core 173
67% 114 Pts
4-Core 344
8-Core 346
46% 345 Pts
64-Core 349
22% 349 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
71.9% Very good
Memory 82.4
1-Core 93.5
2-Core 185
70% 120 Pts
4-Core 355
8-Core 359
48% 357 Pts
64-Core 355
22% 355 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
71.1% Very good
Memory 84.2
1-Core 92.7
2-Core 182
70% 120 Pts
4-Core 341
8-Core 314
44% 328 Pts
64-Core 206
13% 206 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
71% Very good
Memory 79.8
1-Core 93.5
2-Core 186
69% 120 Pts
4-Core 360
8-Core 359
48% 360 Pts
64-Core 358
22% 358 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
64.2% Good
Memory 80.5
1-Core 82.1
2-Core 161
64% 108 Pts
4-Core 277
8-Core 282
37% 280 Pts
64-Core 282
18% 282 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
63.4% Good
Memory 77.8
1-Core 88.1
2-Core 176
66% 114 Pts
4-Core 286
8-Core 280
38% 283 Pts
64-Core 269
17% 269 Pts
23,599 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 68,623,292 CPUs tested

 Prices

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AmazonUS $33525 mins
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Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

CHOOSE A COMPONENT:

CPU GPU SSD HDD RAM MBD
Typical Core i5-3550 Builds (Compare 11,980 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 8%
Tree trunk
Desktop
Desktop 63%
Destroyer
Workstation
Workstation 7%
Tree trunk

Motherboard: Dell OptiPlex 7010

CPU
Core i5-3550Intel  $335Bench 69%, 23,599 samples1x
GPU
HD 2500 (Desktop 1.05 GHz)IntelBench 1%, 146,665 samples2,227x
GT 1030NvidiaBench 14%, 185,384 samples1,014x
GTX 1050-TiNvidia  $59Bench 29%, 946,701 samples965x
SSD
A400 240GBKingston  $25Bench 66%, 424,288 samples477x
A400 480GBKingston  $35Bench 74%, 237,487 samples190x
860 Evo 500GBSamsung  $80Bench 105%, 762,998 samples185x
RAM
2x8GBUnknownBench 64%, 236,291 samples243x
HMT351U6CFR8C-PB 2x4GBHynixBench 53%, 17,809 samples162x
8JTF51264AZ-1G6E1 4x4GBMicronBench 56%, 6,584 samples152x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 62% - Good Total price: $360

Popular Core i5-3550 compatible motherboards:

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Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) September 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]

Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i5-3550 Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.70 GHz)
Code NameIvy Bridge
Launch DateQ2'12
Processor Numberi5-3550
# of Cores4
# of Threads4
Cache6 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set64-bit
Instruction Set ExtensionsSSE4.1/4.2, AVX
Embedded Options AvailableNo
Lithography22 nm
Recommended Price$205.00 - $213.00
Clock Speed3.3 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency3.7 GHz
Bus Speed5 GT/s DMI
Max TDP77 W
Thermal Solution Specification2011D

Graphics

Processor GraphicsIntel® HD Graphics 2500
Graphics Base Frequency650 MHz
Wireless DisplayYes
# of Displays Supported3
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency1.15 GHz
Quick Sync VideoYes
InTru 3D TechYes
Clear Video HD TechYes
Intel InsiderYes
Flexible Display InterfaceYes

Memory

Max Memory Size32 GB
Memory TypesDDR3 1333/1600
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth25.6 GB/s
ECC Memory SupportedNo

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision3.0
PCI Express Configurationsup to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 & 2x4

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsYes
Secure KeyYes

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes
Turbo Boost Tech2.0
Hyper-Threading TechNo
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)Yes
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
TSX-NINo
vPro TechYes
Identity Protection TechYes

Package

Package Size37.5mm x 37.5mm
Max CPU Configuration1
Sockets SupportedFCLGA1155

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
Trusted Execution TechYes
Anti-Theft TechYes

 Comments

Added n/a ago.
USA-User
Avatar level
9,984

Good (edit your comment) Add link

13 months ago.

Similar to the Ryzen 5 3400g. Only downsides are that it is more expensive, and has a weak iGPU. Other than that, it's very capable, whether you want a gaming machine or just a plain desktop.

CAN-User
Avatar level
5,040

Good

3 years ago.

ive overclocked a non overclockable chip to 4.8 need i say more

NOR-User
Avatar level
2,310

Excellent

4 years ago.

I got it for 25$ used but its nice

msijonne
Avatar level
34

Average

5 years ago.

is good to play old game.

Nohbdy
Avatar level
18

Excellent

6 years ago.

This Ivybridge CPU is nearly as powerful as the i5 7400, but can be found for less than $70 USD. It is excellent for used parts builds, and can be paired with a GTX 1070 without serious bottlenecking. The iGPU is also a large step up from Sandybridge, but is still much less powerful than the i5 7400's iGPU.

GoldenCrkr
Avatar level
4

Average

5 years ago.

Long lasting durable and gets the job done

jajaskos
Avatar level
2

Poor

1 month ago.

not good with good graphic cards

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Speed Comparisons

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1463 Processors (Compared) Thousands of user benchmarks compiled into one comparison list

See how consistently different CPUs perform with varying real world conditions. The charts also illustrate overall performance, popularity and rank.

 Frequently Asked Questions

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The Best
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-12600K $170Nvidia RTX 4060 $285WD Black SN850X M.2 2TB $146
Intel Core i5-12400F $117Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $375WD Black SN850X M.2 1TB $75
Intel Core i5-13600K $246Nvidia RTX 4070 $519Crucial T700 M.2 4TB $350
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