CPU
GPU
Athlon X2 QL-65
Core i3-550
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Athlon X2 QL-65 is positioned at rank 1056 and the Core i3-550 is on rank 965, so the Core i3-550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X2 QL-65
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($22) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lion (2008−2009) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+341%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($22) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon X2 QL-65 and Core i3-550
Athlon X2 QL-65
The Athlon X2 QL-65 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Lion (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1g2. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,630 points. Launch price was $149.
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 Athlon X2 QL-65 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-550's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Athlon X2 QL-65 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-550 — a 41.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-550. The Athlon X2 QL-65 uses the Lion (2008−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-550 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon X2 QL-65 scores 1,630 against the Core i3-550's 1,632 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-550. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon X2 QL-65 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-550.
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.2 GHz+52% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Lion (2008−2009) | Clarkdale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,630 | 1,632 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,320 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 437 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 899 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon X2 QL-65 uses the S1g2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-550 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Athlon X2 QL-65 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-550 — the Core i3-550 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-550 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon X2 QL-65) vs 16 (Core i3-550) — the Core i3-550 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD S1 (Athlon X2 QL-65) and H55,H57,P55,Q57 (Core i3-550).
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | S1g2 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | DDR3-1333+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon X2 QL-65) / Yes (Core i3-550). The Core i3-550 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Athlon X2 QL-65 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | Yes |
Value Analysis
The Athlon X2 QL-65 launched at $150 MSRP, while the Core i3-550 debuted at $138. At current prices ($22 vs $5), the Core i3-550 is $17 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon X2 QL-65 delivers 74.1 pts/$ vs 326.4 pts/$ for the Core i3-550 — making the Core i3-550 the 126% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon X2 QL-65 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150 | $138-8% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $22 | $5-77% |
| Performance per Dollar | 74.1 | 326.4+340% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2010 |
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