Intel Core i7-6700K vs Intel Core i5-3550

VS
Performance
Core i7-6700K70% better
11,22830% of 36,991
Core i5-3550
6,59318% of 36,991

The Core i7-6700K has 70% better performance than the Core i5-3550 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-6700K
33.1227% of 121.53
Core i5-35503% better
33.9828% of 121.53

The Core i5-3550 has 3% better value for the money than the Core i7-6700K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the Intel Core i7-6700K CPU

The Intel Core i7-6700K is an end-of-life 4-core (8-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q3 2015 with a suggested retail price of $339. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Skylake microarchitecture. The i7-6700K is compatible with Intel Socket 1151 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process. It features the HD Graphics 530 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-6700K supports DDR3, DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-6700K 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 8 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-6700K features 4 total cores which can process 8 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 4.0 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.2 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 i7-6700K includes an integrated graphics solution called HD Graphics 530. 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 i7-6700K has the 217th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 30.35% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 11,228 score and $339 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 33.12. This is the 109th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

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 360th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 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.

General Info

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

InfoCore i7-6700KCore i5-3550
ManufacturerIntelIntel
SeriesCore i7Core i5
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ3 2015Q2 2012
Launch Price (MSRP)$339$194
Production StatusEnd-of-lifeEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Core i7-6700K70% better
11,22830% of 36,991
Core i5-3550
6,59318% of 36,991

The Core i7-6700K has 70% better performance than the Core i5-3550 for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-6700K is ranked 217th with a score of 11,228, and the Core i5-3550 is ranked 360th with a score of 6,593.

Performance per dollar
Core i7-6700K
33.1227% of 121.53
Core i5-35503% better
33.9828% of 121.53

The Core i5-3550 has 3% better value for the money than the Core i7-6700K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Core i7-6700K is ranked 109th with a performance per dollar of 33.12, and the Core i5-3550 is ranked 107th with a performance per dollar of 33.98.

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 i7-6700K or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Ryzen 5 2600X12,074+8%
Core i7-8086K11,554+3%
Core i7-6700K11,228
Ryzen 5 160011,164-1%
Core i7-4790K10,886-3%
FX-83507,230-36%
Ryzen 3 2200G6,805-39%
Core i5-35506,593-41%
Ryzen 3 1300X6,579-41%
Core i5-2500K6,571-41%

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 i7-6700K or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
FX-835036.33+10%
Core i5-446034.75+5%
Core i5-640034.52+4%
Core i7-377034.18+3%
Core i5-355033.98+3%
Core i7-6700K33.12
Core i7-670032.45-2%
Core i5-6600K32.04-3%
Core i7-4790K31.1-6%
Core i7-3770K29.45-11%

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 i7-6700KCore i5-3550
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
11,228
(+70.3%)
6,593
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
880
--
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
177.5
--
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
4,946
(+158.41%)
1,914
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,507
(+135.1%)
641
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
8,929
(+85.79%)
4,806
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,505
(+25.56%)
1,995
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 i7-6700KCore i5-3550
ManufacturerIntelIntel
FoundryIntelIntel
Process Size14 nm22 nm
Transistors--1,400 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 i7-6700KCore i5-3550
SeriesCore i7Core i5
MicroarchitectureSkylakeIvy Bridge
CodenameSkylakeIvy Bridge
Memory SupportDDR3, DDR4DDR3
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 i7-6700KCore i5-3550
Cores44
Threads84
Clock Speed4.0 GHz3.3 GHz
Turbo Clock4.2 GHz3.7 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier40.0x33.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesNo

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 i7-6700KCore i5-3550
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache256 KB256 KB
L3 Cache8 MB6 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 i7-6700KCore i5-3550
SocketIntel Socket 1151Intel Socket 1155
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 3.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)91 W77 W
Tcase Max64 °C67 °C
TJ Max--67.4 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

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

SpecCore i7-6700KCore i5-3550
Integrated GraphicsHD Graphics 530Intel HD 2500
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, ABM, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, EPT, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, MPX, SGX, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, SMEP, TBT 2.0MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, TXT, VT-x, VT-d, vPro, AES-NI, SIPP

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