Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-3550

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.

Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-3550 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.

Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-3550: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1005G1

2019

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 77W, a 62W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics (Ice Lake), while Core i5-3550 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3550 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i5-3550

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,778 vs 4,827).
❌Launch MSRP is still $194 MSRP, while Core i3-1005G1 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌413.3% higher power demand at 77W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1005G1 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1005G1 better than Core i5-3550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3550 is ahead with a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1005G1 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i5-3550 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-1005G1 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-1005G1 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-1005G1 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $194 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. Core i5-3550 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (24.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i3-1005G1 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-1005G1 vs Core i5-3550 Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-1005G1

The Core i3-1005G1 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1526. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,827 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-3550

The Core i5-3550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,778 points. Launch price was $205.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1005G1 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3550 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3550 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-1005G1 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i3-1005G1 uses the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-3550 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1005G1 scores 4,827 against the Core i5-3550's 4,778 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-1005G1. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-1005G1 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3550.

Feature	Core i3-1005G1	Core i5-3550
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	3.3 GHz+175%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake (Client) (2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,827+1%	4,778
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,319	—
Geekbench 6 Single	603	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,605	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1005G1 uses the FCBGA1526 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3550 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-1005G1	Core i5-3550
Socket	FCBGA1526	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200 / LPDDR4-3733	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i3-1005G1) / not specified (Core i5-3550). The Core i3-1005G1 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics (Ice Lake)), while the Core i5-3550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1005G1 targets Thin-and-light.