TEST
YOUR CPU
ADD TO PC
BUILD

Intel

Core i5-3550

▲ 54334 ▼

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

Average Bench: 68.6% (431st of 1442)

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
ADVERTISEMENT

Average Bench

(Based on 23,599 samples)
Rank 43168.6%
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%
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.45 GHz (avg)
76.2% Very good
Memory 90.4
1-Core 94.7
2-Core 186
73% 124 Pts
4-Core 360
8-Core 355
48% 358 Pts
64-Core 329
20% 329 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
71.9% Very good
Memory 81.9
1-Core 94.2
2-Core 186
70% 121 Pts
4-Core 358
8-Core 359
48% 359 Pts
64-Core 359
22% 359 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
70.7% Very good
Memory 85
1-Core 93.6
2-Core 185
70% 121 Pts
4-Core 325
8-Core 343
44% 334 Pts
64-Core 350
22% 350 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
68.7% Good
Memory 78.4
1-Core 91.4
2-Core 182
68% 117 Pts
4-Core 351
8-Core 294
44% 323 Pts
64-Core 347
22% 347 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
68.6% Good
Memory 80
1-Core 84.8
2-Core 168
65% 111 Pts
4-Core 338
8-Core 302
44% 320 Pts
64-Core 286
18% 286 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)
68.3% Good
Memory 81.5
1-Core 88.6
2-Core 176
67% 115 Pts
4-Core 318
8-Core 325
43% 322 Pts
64-Core 319
20% 319 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)
68% Good
Memory 80.5
1-Core 87.2
2-Core 175
66% 114 Pts
4-Core 322
8-Core 323
43% 322 Pts
64-Core 303
19% 303 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
66.3% Good
Memory 83.2
1-Core 86.7
2-Core 172
67% 114 Pts
4-Core 281
8-Core 321
39% 301 Pts
64-Core 315
20% 315 Pts
23,599 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 67,763,021 CPUs tested

 Prices

If you buy via one of these links, our site may earn a commission

AmazonUS $33517 mins
Send price feedback
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 11,595 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 samples2,190x
GT 1030NvidiaBench 14%, 185,384 samples984x
GTX 1050-TiNvidia  $59Bench 29%, 946,701 samples933x
SSD
A400 240GBKingston  $28Bench 66%, 424,288 samples466x
A400 480GBKingston  $38Bench 74%, 237,487 samples184x
860 Evo 500GBSamsung  $80Bench 105%, 762,998 samples180x
RAM
2x8GBUnknownBench 64%, 236,291 samples226x
HMT351U6CFR8C-PB 2x4GBHynixBench 53%, 17,809 samples158x
8JTF51264AZ-1G6E1 4x4GBMicronBench 56%, 6,584 samples152x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 62% - Good Total price: $363

Popular Core i5-3550 compatible motherboards:

How Fast Is Your CPU? (Bench your build) Size up your PC in less than a minute

Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.

UserBenchmark of the month

Gaming Desktop ProGaming

How it works

  • - Download and run UserBenchmark
  • - CPU tests include: integer, floating and string
  • - GPU tests include: six 3D game simulations
  • - Drive tests include: read, write, sustained write and mixed IO
  • - RAM tests include: single/multi core bandwidth and latency
  • - SkillBench (space shooter) tests user input accuracy
  • - Reports are generated and presented on userbenchmark.com
  • - Identify the strongest components in your PC
  • - See speed test results from other users
  • - Compare your components to the current market leaders
  • - Explore your best upgrade options with a virtual PC build
  • - Compare your in-game FPS to other users with your hardware
Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) April 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]

ADVERTISEMENT

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
9,840

Good (edit your comment) Add link

8 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
4,960

Good

2 years ago.

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

NOR-User
Avatar level
2,290

Excellent

3 years ago.

I got it for 25$ used but its nice

msijonne
Avatar level
34

Average

4 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

Your
opinion?
▲Like ▼Dislike
Ready to retire
Age: 10 years

Speed Comparisons

vs Intel Core i5-13600K
vs Intel Core i5-12400F
vs Intel Core i5-12600K
vs Intel Core i3-12100F
vs Intel Core i7-13700K
vs Intel Core i9-13900K
vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600
vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
vs Intel Core i7-11700K

1442 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

Processors FAQ
AMD vs Intel: Gaming performance 2012-2021
How does IPC compare between AMD's Ryzen and Intel's Kaby Lake?
What is multi core mixed speed?
What is multi core integer speed?
What is multi core floating point speed?
What is single core mixed CPU speed?
What is quad core mixed CPU speed?
What is quad core floating point speed?
What is quad core integer speed?
What is single core floating point speed?
What is single core integer speed?
What is the GeekBench single core score?
What is a CPU?
What is the effective CPU speed index?
What is overclocking?
What is thermal design power (TDP)?
ALL FAQs »

 Best User Rated
The Best.
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $273Nvidia RTX 4060 $295Crucial MX500 250GB $40
Intel Core i5-12400F $133Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $178Nvidia RTX 4070 $539Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52
HDDRAMUSB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB (2016) $39Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GB $45SanDisk Extreme 64GB $72
WD Blue 1TB (2012) $37Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 2x8GB $43SanDisk Extreme 32GB $28
Seagate Barracuda 2TB (2016) $51G.SKILL Trident Z DDR4 3200 C14 4x16GB $351SanDisk Ultra Fit 32GB $16
If you make a purchase via one of these links, our site may earn a commission
Today's hottest
Amazon Ebay
deals
CPU GPU SSD HDD USB RAM MBD
Build Test EFps
Can You Run It?
►
YouTube
*NEW*
About  •  User Guide  •  FAQs  •  Email  •  Privacy  •  Developer  •  YouTube Feedback