Core i3-550 vs Core i3-560

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 i3-550 vs Core i3-560 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 i3-550 vs Core i3-560: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-550

2010

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Core i3-560 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-560.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,632 vs 1,642).

Core i3-560

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-550 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-550.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-560 better than Core i3-550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-550 is ahead with 869.7% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-560 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-560 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-560 is the better buy right now. Core i3-560 comes in in basically the same MSRP band at $138 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-550 is still the better pure gaming CPU with 869.7% higher max boost clock. It is also 0.6% better value on MSRP (11.9 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), 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 i3-560 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-550 vs Core i3-560 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i3-560

The Core i3-560 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 0.33 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: 1,642 points. Launch price was $190.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-550 and Core i3-560 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-550 versus 0.33 GHz on the Core i3-560 — a 162.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-550 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). Both are built on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i3-550 scores 1,632 against the Core i3-560's 1,642 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-560. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-550	Core i3-560
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+870%	0.33 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.33 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,632	1,642
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,320	—
Geekbench 6 Single	437	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	899	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1156 socket with PCIe 2.0.

Feature	Core i3-550	Core i3-560
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-550) / not specified (Core i3-560). The Core i3-550 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core i3-560 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-550	Core i3-560
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-550 was priced at $138, while the Core i3-560 came in at $138. On launch pricing ($138 vs $138), Core i3-560 was $0 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-550 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 11.9 pts/$ for the Core i3-560 — making the Core i3-560 the 0.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-550	Core i3-560
MSRP	$138	$138
Performance per Dollar	11.8	11.9
Release Date	2010	2010

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