Core i3 550 Benchmarks & Performance Report

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Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i3 550 based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,168 Rank: 1720

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1716	Celeron E3400	4,170	+0%
1717	Core 2 Duo T8300	4,170	+0%
1718	Core 2 Duo P9400	4,170	+0%
1719	A8-3530MX	4,169	+0%
1720	Core i3 550	4,168
1721	Phenom II N850	4,168	+0%
1722	Core 2 Duo E7200	4,168	+0%
1723	A8-6410	4,168	+0%
1724	Intel Core i7-840QM	4,167	+-0%
1725	A6-3500	4,167	+-0%

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Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i3 550 based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,318 Rank: 1696

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1692	Phenom II X2 B53	4,320	+0%
1693	Celeron N2920	4,319	+0%
1694	A6-5357M	4,319	+0%
1695	Core i5-2450M	4,318	+0%
1696	Core i3 550	4,318
1697	A9-9430	4,318	+0%
1698	Pentium 2127U	4,318	+0%
1699	Pentium N3540	4,318	+0%
1700	Celeron 2980U	4,318	+0%
1701	Core i3-370M	4,318	+0%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i3 550 based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,068 Rank: 1707

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1703	Core 2 Duo E6550	4,073	+0.1%
1704	Athlon II X4 610e	4,073	+0.1%
1705	Phenom II X4 905e	4,070	+0%
1706	Core 2 Duo T6670	4,069	+0%
1707	Core i3 550	4,068
1708	E2-3200	4,068	+0%
1709	Pentium P6100	4,067	+-0%
1710	Core 2 Duo P7350	4,067	+-0%
1711	A8-5550M	4,066	+-0%
1712	A8-3550MX	4,066	+-0%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i3 550 based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Number Crunching score not yet available.

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i3 550 based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Data Processing score not yet available.

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Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i3 550 based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Physics & Compute score not yet available.

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Core i3 550 Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i3-550 remains a relic from an earlier era of mainstream desktop computing, representing a transitional phase in Intel’s product evolution. Designed for the FCLGA1156 socket, this processor was released in 2010 as part of the Nehalem architecture family, and while it once offered solid value for budget-conscious users, its performance today is firmly in the lower tier of modern CPU benchmarks. The Core i3-550 is built on a 32 nm process and features a dual-core design with hyper-threading, allowing it to handle four threads simultaneously. It operates at a base frequency of 3.2 GHz, with a turbo boost up to 3.46 GHz, and includes 4 MB of L3 cache, a modest amount by today’s standards. With a TDP of 73 W, it was relatively efficient for its time but now consumes more power than many contemporary low-power alternatives.

In terms of integrated graphics, the Core i3-550 includes Intel HD Graphics, which runs at a base frequency of 733 MHz and can burst up to 1.1 GHz. It supports up to two displays and integrates directly into the CPU die, offering basic visual performance suitable for office work, video playback, and light multimedia tasks. The processor supports DDR3 memory at speeds of 1066 and 1333 MHz, with a maximum capacity of 16 GB across two channels and a peak memory bandwidth of 21 GB/s. Despite its age, it retains support for a range of modern technologies, including AES-NI encryption, AVX2, and virtualization features such as VT-x and VT-d, making it a functional platform for legacy systems.

Benchmarking data reveals the Core i3-550’s current standing in a competitive landscape dominated by modern multi-core processors. It scores 4168 in the overall benchmark, ranking #1720 out of 2060 processors, with a single-core score of 4068 (#1707) and a multicore score of 4318 (#1695). These results place it behind a variety of modern low-end and mid-range CPUs, including several AMD A-series APUs and Intel Celeron and Pentium models from the past decade. While its single-core performance is competitive with some older dual-core processors, its multicore performance is significantly outpaced by modern quad-core and higher processors, especially in tasks that benefit from parallel processing.

The processor’s most notable limitation lies in its outdated architecture and lack of support for newer instruction sets and memory standards. Although it includes features like Hyper-Threading and EIST for power efficiency, it lacks support for PCIe 3.0 or 4.0, limiting its ability to leverage modern storage and graphics technologies. In a broader context, the Core i3-550 is best suited for legacy systems or basic computing tasks where performance is not a primary concern. For users seeking a modern computing experience, it is no longer a viable option, but it remains a historically interesting example of Intel’s early 2010s mainstream offerings.