Core i3-550 vs Core M-5Y10

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 M-5Y10 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 M-5Y10: 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

✅Costs $143 less on MSRP ($138 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 102.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.8 vs 5.9 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Draws 73W instead of 512W, a 439W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Core M-5Y10 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,632 vs 1,644).

Core M-5Y10

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.9 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
❌601.4% higher power demand at 512W vs 73W.
❌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 i3-550 better than Core M-5Y10?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-550 is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core M-5Y10 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core M-5Y10 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-550 is the better buy right now. Core i3-550 comes in $143 cheaper on MSRP at $138 MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core M-5Y10 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.7% better PassMark. It is also 102.1% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 5.9 PassMark/$), 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 M-5Y10 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) and 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 M-5Y10 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 M-5Y10

The Core M-5Y10 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.8 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,644 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i3-550 and Core M-5Y10 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-550 versus 2 GHz on the Core M-5Y10 — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-550 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 0.8 GHz). The Core i3-550 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core M-5Y10 uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-550 scores 1,632 against the Core M-5Y10's 1,644 — a 0.7% lead for the Core M-5Y10. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i3-550	Core M-5Y10
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+60%	2 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+300%	0.8 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Broadwell-Y (2014)
PassMark	1,632	1,644
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,320	—
Geekbench 6 Single	437	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	899	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-550 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core M-5Y10 uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-550	Core M-5Y10
Socket	LGA1156	FCBGA1234
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
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 M-5Y10). The Core i3-550 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core M-5Y10 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-550	Core M-5Y10
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 M-5Y10 came in at $281. On launch pricing ($138 vs $281), Core i3-550 was $143 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-550 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 5.9 pts/$ for the Core M-5Y10 — making the Core i3-550 the 67.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-550	Core M-5Y10
MSRP	$138-51%	$281
Performance per Dollar	11.8+100%	5.9
Release Date	2010	2014

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