Celeron Dual-Core T1500 vs Core i3-550
Celeron Dual-Core T1500
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 Celeron Dual-Core T1500 is positioned at rank 549 and the Core i3-550 is on rank 965, so the Celeron Dual-Core T1500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron Dual-Core T1500
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron Dual-Core T1500 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($49) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron Dual-Core T1500 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+884%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($49) | ✅ 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 Celeron Dual-Core T1500 and Core i3-550
Celeron Dual-Core T1500
The Celeron Dual-Core T1500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.87 GHz. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,625 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 Celeron Dual-Core T1500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-550's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Celeron Dual-Core T1500 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-550 — a 52.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-550. The Celeron Dual-Core T1500 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-550 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron Dual-Core T1500 scores 1,625 against the Core i3-550's 1,632 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i3-550.
| Feature | Celeron Dual-Core T1500 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 1.87 GHz | 3.2 GHz+71% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Merom (2006−2008) | Clarkdale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,625 | 1,632 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,320 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 437 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 899 |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Celeron Dual-Core T1500 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 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron Dual-Core T1500) vs 16 (Core i3-550) — the Core i3-550 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM965,GL960 (Celeron Dual-Core T1500) and H55,H57,P55,Q57 (Core i3-550).
| Feature | Celeron Dual-Core T1500 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | — | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | DDR3-1333+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | 16 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: No (Celeron Dual-Core T1500) vs Yes (Core i3-550). The Core i3-550 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Celeron Dual-Core T1500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron Dual-Core T1500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron Dual-Core T1500 rivals Pentium T2390.
| Feature | Celeron Dual-Core T1500 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | No | Yes |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($49 vs $5), the Core i3-550 is $44 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron Dual-Core T1500 delivers 33.2 pts/$ vs 326.4 pts/$ for the Core i3-550 — making the Core i3-550 the 163.1% better value option.
| Feature | Celeron Dual-Core T1500 | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $138 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $49 | $5-90% |
| Performance per Dollar | 33.2 | 326.4+883% |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2010 |
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