Celeron Dual-Core T1500 vs Core i3-550

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.

Celeron Dual-Core T1500 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.

Celeron Dual-Core T1500 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.

Celeron Dual-Core T1500

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,625 vs 1,632).
❌601.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 73W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-550 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-550.

Core i3-550

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 73W instead of 512W, a 439W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Celeron Dual-Core T1500 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron Dual-Core T1500.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Celeron Dual-Core T1500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-550 better than Celeron Dual-Core T1500?

Yes. Core i3-550 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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, Core i3-550 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% 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, Core i3-550 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-550 is the better buy right now. Core i3-550 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-550 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron Dual-Core T1500 vs Core i3-550 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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

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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 99.9% 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 — 300% 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+100%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	16 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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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.