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Intel Core i5-3550 vs Intel Core i7-8700K

Intel
VS
Intel
Performance
Core i5-3550
6,59318% of 36,991
Core i7-8700K124% better
14,76640% of 36,991

The Core i7-8700K has 124% better performance than the Core i5-3550 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i5-3550
33.9828% of 121.53
Core i7-8700K21% better
41.1334% of 121.53

The Core i7-8700K has 21% better value for the money than the Core i5-3550 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

#

About the Intel Core i5-3550 CPU

The Intel Core i5-3550 is an end-of-life 4-core (4-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q2 2012 with a suggested retail price of $194. It is part of Intel's Core i5 lineup, which is based on the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture. The i5-3550 is compatible with Intel Socket 1155 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 22 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i5-3550 supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i5-3550 has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 6 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i5-3550 features 4 total cores which can process 4 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.3 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is locked, making it incapable of overclocking for pushing performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i5-3550 includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 2500. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i5-3550 has the 359th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 720 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 17.82% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 6,593 score and $194 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 33.98. This is the 107th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i7-8700K CPU

The Intel Core i7-8700K is an end-of-life 6-core (12-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2017 with a suggested retail price of $359. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Coffee Lake microarchitecture. The i7-8700K is compatible with Intel Socket 1151 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-8700K supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-8700K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 12 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-8700K features 6 total cores which can process 12 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-8700K includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 630. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-8700K has the 145th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 720 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 39.92% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 14,766 score and $359 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 41.13. This is the 71st best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoCore i5-3550Core i7-8700K
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesCore i5Core i7
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ2 2012Q4 2017
Launch Price (MSRP)$194$359
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i5-3550
6,59318% of 36,991
Core i7-8700K124% better
14,76640% of 36,991

The Core i7-8700K has 124% better performance than the Core i5-3550 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i5-3550 is ranked 359th with a score of 6,593, and the Core i7-8700K is ranked 145th with a score of 14,766.

Performance per dollar
Core i5-3550
33.9828% of 121.53
Core i7-8700K21% better
41.1334% of 121.53

The Core i7-8700K has 21% better value for the money than the Core i5-3550 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i5-3550 is ranked 107th with a performance per dollar of 33.98, and the Core i7-8700K is ranked 71st with a performance per dollar of 41.13.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i5-3550 or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i9-7900X15,260+131%
Ryzen 7 2700X15,098+129%
Core i7-8700K14,766+124%
Core i7-9700K14,657+122%
Ryzen 7 270013,959+112%
FX-83507,230+10%
Ryzen 3 2200G6,805+3%
Core i5-35506,593
Ryzen 3 1300X6,579-0%
Core i5-2500K6,571-0%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Core i5-3550 or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i5-8600K42.15+24%
Core i7-970041.86+23%
Core i7-8700K41.13+21%
Core i5-11400T40.21+18%
Ryzen 7 170038.67+14%
Core i5-640034.52+2%
Core i7-377034.18+1%
Core i5-355033.98
Core i7-6700K33.12-3%
Core i5-6600K32.04-6%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkCore i5-3550Core i7-8700K
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
6,593
14,766
(+123.96%)
3DMark Time Spy CPU
--
7,255.5
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
--
1,362
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
--
192
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
1,903
6,505
(+241.83%)
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
638
1,609
(+152.19%)
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
4,806
13,638
(+183.77%)
CPU Mark Single-Thread
1,995
2,730
(+36.84%)
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecCore i5-3550Core i7-8700K
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size22 nm14 nm
Transistors1,400 million--

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecCore i5-3550Core i7-8700K
SeriesCore i5Core i7
MicroarchitectureIvy BridgeCoffee Lake
CodenameIvy BridgeCoffee Lake
Memory SupportDDR3DDR4
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecCore i5-3550Core i7-8700K
Cores46
Threads412
Clock Speed3.3 GHz3.7 GHz
Turbo Clock3.7 GHz4.7 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier33.0x37.0x
Multiplier UnlockedNoYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecCore i5-3550Core i7-8700K
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache256 KB256 KB
L3 Cache6 MB12 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecCore i5-3550Core i7-8700K
SocketIntel Socket 1155Intel Socket 1151
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)77 W95 W
Tcase Max67 °C72 °C
TJ Max67.4 °C--

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecCore i5-3550Core i7-8700K
Integrated GraphicsIntel HD 2500UHD Graphics 630
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, TXT, VT-x, VT-d, vPro, AES-NI, SIPPMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, Boost 2.0

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.