A6 PRO-7400B vs Core i3-550

A6 PRO-7400B vs Core i3-550 Performance Spectrum

A6 PRO-7400B

2 / 2

1,640

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core i3-550

2 / 4

1,632

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

A6 PRO-7400B vs Core i3-550 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A6 PRO-7400B vs Core i3-550: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A6 PRO-7400B

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 73W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-550.

Core i3-550

2010

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike A6 PRO-7400B.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,632 vs 1,640).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while A6 PRO-7400B mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is A6 PRO-7400B better than Core i3-550?

Yes. A6 PRO-7400B is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A6 PRO-7400B is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A6 PRO-7400B is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

A6 PRO-7400B is still the much better call for a fresh build. A6 PRO-7400B comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-550 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

A6 PRO-7400B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A6 PRO-7400B vs Core i3-550 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A6 PRO-7400B

The A6 PRO-7400B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,640 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-550

The Core i3-550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,632 points. Launch price was $101.

⚡

Processing Power

The A6 PRO-7400B packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-550's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the A6 PRO-7400B versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-550 — a 19.7% clock advantage for the A6 PRO-7400B (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The A6 PRO-7400B uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core i3-550 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the A6 PRO-7400B scores 1,640 against the Core i3-550's 1,632 — a 0.5% lead for the A6 PRO-7400B.

Feature	A6 PRO-7400B	Core i3-550
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+22%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1024 kB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-13%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,640	1,632
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,320
Geekbench 6 Single	—	437
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	899

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A6 PRO-7400B uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-550 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the A6 PRO-7400B versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-550 — the A6 PRO-7400B supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A6 PRO-7400B supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM2+ (A6 PRO-7400B) and H55,H57,P55,Q57 (Core i3-550).

Feature	A6 PRO-7400B	Core i3-550
Socket	FM2+	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+40%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (A6 PRO-7400B) / Yes (Core i3-550). Both include integrated graphics — AMD Radeon R5 (A6 PRO-7400B) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-550) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU.