Core i3-550 vs Core i5-2557M

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 i5-2557M 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 i5-2557M: 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

✅+1.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-2557M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (437 vs 521).
❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Core i5-2557M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌329.4% higher power demand at 73W vs 17W.

Core i5-2557M

2011

Why buy it

✅+19.2% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 17W instead of 73W, a 56W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (882 vs 899).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-550.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2557M better than Core i3-550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2557M is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-550 pulls ahead with 1.9% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i3-550 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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 1.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i5-2557M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-2557M comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-550 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

Core i5-2557M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-550 vs Core i5-2557M 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 i5-2557M

The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-550 and Core i5-2557M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-550 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-550 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i3-550 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-2557M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-550 scores 1,632 against the Core i5-2557M's 1,618 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-550. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 437 vs 521, a 17.5% lead for the Core i5-2557M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 899 vs 882 (1.9% advantage for the Core i3-550). L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-550 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M.

Feature	Core i3-550	Core i5-2557M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+19%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+88%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,632	1,618
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,320	—
Geekbench 6 Single	437	521+19%
Geekbench 6 Multi	899+2%	882

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-550 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2557M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i3-550 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H55,H57,P55,Q57 (Core i3-550) and HM65,QS67 (Core i5-2557M).

Feature	Core i3-550	Core i5-2557M
Socket	LGA1156	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-550) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-550) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2557M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.