Core i3-1110G4 vs Core i5-2550K

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 i3-1110G4 vs Core i5-2550K 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 i3-1110G4 vs Core i5-2550K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-1110G4

2020

Why buy it

✅+110.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48 EU), while Core i5-2550K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,160 vs 4,228).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2550K.

Core i5-2550K

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.6% higher PassMark.
✅300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-1110G4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (707 vs 1,491).
❌Launch MSRP is still $235 MSRP, while Core i3-1110G4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1110G4 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1110G4 better than Core i5-2550K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-1110G4 is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2550K pulls ahead with 1.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2550K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-1110G4 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-1110G4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $235 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2550K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-1110G4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-1110G4 vs Core i5-2550K Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-1110G4

The Core i3-1110G4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1598. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,160 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-2550K

The Core i5-2550K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,228 points. Launch price was $189.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-1110G4 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2550K offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2550K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1110G4 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-2550K — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-1110G4 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i3-1110G4 uses the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i5-2550K uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1110G4 scores 4,160 against the Core i5-2550K's 4,228 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i5-2550K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,491 vs 707, a 71.3% lead for the Core i3-1110G4 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1110G4 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2550K.

Feature	Core i3-1110G4	Core i5-2550K
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.4 GHz+89%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm SuperFin-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,160	4,228+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,058
Geekbench 6 Single	1,491+111%	707
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,010

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1110G4 uses the FCBGA1598 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-2550K uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i3-1110G4 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-2550K — the Core i3-1110G4 supports 166.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Core i3-1110G4) vs 16 (Core i5-2550K) — the Core i5-2550K offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-1110G4	Core i5-2550K
Socket	FCBGA1598	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4x-4267+167%	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i3-1110G4 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1110G4) vs Yes (Core i5-2550K). The Core i3-1110G4 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48 EU)), while the Core i5-2550K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1110G4 targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-1110G4 rivals Ryzen 3 4300U.