Core i3-4360T vs Xeon W3550

Intel

Core i3-4360T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2014
VS
Intel

Xeon W3550

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.33 GHz2009

Core i3-4360T vs Xeon W3550 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i3-4360T vs Xeon W3550 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 i3-4360T vs Xeon W3550: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4360T

2014

Why buy it

  • βœ…+1.3% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Costs $156 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 115.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.9 vs 11.1 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W3550 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W3550, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon W3550

2009

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (3,251 vs 3,294).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.1 vs 23.9 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
  • ❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-4360T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4360T better than Xeon W3550?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W3550 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i3-4360T is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4360T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i3-4360T is the better buy right now. Core i3-4360T comes in $156 cheaper on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W3550 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 115.9% better value on MSRP (23.9 vs 11.1 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4360T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4360T vs Xeon W3550 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i3-4360T

The Core i3-4360T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) 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 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,294 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Xeon W3550

The Xeon W3550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008βˆ’2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,251 points. Launch price was $235.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i3-4360T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon W3550 offers 4 cores / 8 threads β€” the Xeon W3550 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-4360T versus 3.33 GHz on the Xeon W3550 β€” a 4% clock advantage for the Xeon W3550 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core i3-4360T uses the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W3550 uses Bloomfield (2008βˆ’2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4360T scores 3,294 against the Xeon W3550's 3,251 β€” a 1.3% lead for the Core i3-4360T. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-4360T vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W3550.

FeatureCore i3-4360TXeon W3550
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
3.33 GHz+4%
Base Clock
3.2 GHz+5%
3.06 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013βˆ’2015)
Bloomfield (2008βˆ’2010)
PassMark
3,294+1%
3,251
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4360T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3550 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i3-4360TXeon W3550
Socket
LGA1150
LGA1366
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
Yes
β€”
PCIe Lanes
16
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4360T) / not specified (Xeon W3550). The Core i3-4360T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon W3550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4360T targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i3-4360TXeon W3550
Integrated GPU
Yes
β€”
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4600
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
β€”
Target Use
Desktop
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4360T was priced at $138, while the Xeon W3550 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($138 vs $294), Core i3-4360T was $156 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4360T delivers 23.9 pts/$ vs 11.1 pts/$ for the Xeon W3550 β€” making the Core i3-4360T the 73.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i3-4360TXeon W3550
MSRP
$138-53%
$294
Performance per Dollar
23.9+115%
11.1
Release Date
2014
2009

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