Core i5-3550 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 i5-3550 based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,807 Rank: 1020

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1016	Core i3-6157U	4,813	+0.1%
1017	Pentium G3440	4,813	+0.1%
1018	Xeon E3-1290 v2	4,811	+0.1%
1019	Ryzen 3 2300U	4,809	+0%
1020	Core i5-3550	4,807
1021	Xeon E5-2670 v2	4,800	-0.1%
1022	Core i7-6600U	4,799	-0.2%
1023	Celeron G3950	4,799	-0.2%
1024	Core i7-4712HQ	4,799	-0.2%
1025	Core i7-7500U	4,798	-0.2%

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Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i5-3550 based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,679 Rank: 992

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
988	Core i7-980X	4,683	+0.1%
989	Core i5-3470	4,681	+0%
990	Xeon E7-4830	4,680	+0%
991	Xeon E3-1270 v3	4,680	+0%
992	Core i5-3550	4,679
993	Xeon E3-1245	4,679	+0%
994	FX-8300	4,677	+-0%
995	Ryzen Embedded R1505G	4,676	-0.1%
996	Ryzen 3 2300U	4,676	-0.1%
997	Pentium Gold G5600	4,673	-0.1%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i5-3550 based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,893 Rank: 1014

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1010	FX-4170	4,895	+0%
1011	Core i5-2560M	4,894	+0%
1012	Core m3-8100Y	4,894	+0%
1013	Xeon Gold 5117	4,893	+0%
1014	Core i5-3550	4,893
1015	Xeon Gold 6138	4,892	+-0%
1016	Xeon D-1528	4,892	+-0%
1017	Core i7-4712HQ	4,889	-0.1%
1018	A6-7470K	4,883	-0.2%
1019	Xeon E3-1270 V2	4,882	-0.2%

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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 i5-3550 based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,637 Rank: 868

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
864	Core i5-4460	4,638	+0%
865	Core i5-6500	4,637	+0%
866	Core i5-7440HQ	4,637	+0%
867	Core i5-6600T	4,637	+0%
868	Core i5-3550	4,637
869	Core i7-4700MQ	4,637	+0%
870	Xeon E3-1280	4,637	+0%
871	Core i3-9100T	4,636	+-0%
872	Core i7-4702HQ	4,636	+-0%
873	Core i5-3570S	4,636	+-0%

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i5-3550 based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,596 Rank: 910

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
906	Phenom II X6 1065T	4,598	+0%
907	Xeon E3-1505L v5	4,597	+0%
908	Ryzen 3 PRO 1200	4,597	+0%
909	Xeon W3565	4,597	+0%
910	Core i5-3550	4,596
911	Core i5-4570S	4,596	+0%
912	Xeon D-1527	4,595	+-0%
913	Core i5-6440EQ	4,594	+-0%
914	Core i5-6400	4,594	+-0%
915	Core i3-8300T	4,594	+-0%

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Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i5-3550 based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,621 Rank: 909

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
905	Xeon X5670	4,624	+0.1%
906	Ryzen Embedded V1605B	4,623	+0%
907	Xeon X5650	4,623	+0%
908	Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U	4,621	+0%
909	Core i5-3550	4,621
910	Core i5-2450P	4,621	+0%
911	Ryzen 7 3700U	4,620	+-0%
912	Ryzen 7 2700U	4,620	+-0%
913	Core i7-3632QM	4,620	+-0%
914	Core i5-3570S	4,620	+-0%

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Core i5-3550 Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i5-3550 remains a notable example of mid-range desktop performance from the early Haswell era, though its age is evident in today's computing landscape. Launched in 2012, this processor is now over 13 years old, placing it firmly in legacy territory, yet it still holds relevance for budget builds or systems where integrated graphics and modest performance are sufficient. Built on a 22 nm process, the Core i5-3550 features a quad-core design with four threads, a base clock of 3.3 GHz, and a turbo boost up to 3.7 GHz. It operates on the FCLGA1155 socket and supports up to 32 GB of DDR3 1333/1600 memory across two channels, with a maximum memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. With a TDP of 77 W, it strikes a balance between performance and power efficiency for its time.

The processor's integrated Intel HD Graphics 2500 GPU provides basic visual capabilities, featuring a base frequency of 650 MHz and a burst frequency of 1150 MHz. It supports up to three displays and can utilize up to 1.7 GB of system memory for graphics operations, making it suitable for light multimedia tasks and office use. While not designed for gaming or demanding applications, the integrated graphics allow for entry-level visual work without requiring a discrete GPU.

Performance-wise, the Core i5-3550 delivers a Passmark Overall Score of 4807, ranking it #1020 out of 2060 processors, with a Singlecore Score of 4893 (#1013) and a Multicore Score of 4679 (#992). These results place it behind several modern CPUs, including current-generation Intel and AMD processors, but it remains competitive with other older generation chips like the Core i5-3470 and FX-8300. The multicore score indicates that while it can handle multi-threaded workloads adequately, its single-core performance is relatively stronger, a trait common among its generation.

The processor supports a wide array of technologies, including AVX2, AES-NI, and Intel's virtualization extensions (VT-x, VT-d), making it suitable for light virtualization, encryption, and productivity workloads. It also includes features like Hyper-Threading, EIST, and Intel vPro, which enhance its versatility in business environments. Despite lacking ECC memory support, it remains a reliable option for non-critical computing.

In summary, the Core i5-3550 is best suited for legacy systems, light office use, or as a budget upgrade in older hardware. While it no longer competes with modern processors in performance, its enduring design and broad feature set ensure it remains functional in specific use cases where cutting-edge power is not required.