Core i3-550 vs Pentium 967
Core i3-550
Pentium 967
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-550 is positioned at rank 965 and the Pentium 967 is on rank 1031, so the Core i3-550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-550
Performance Per Dollar Pentium 967
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-550 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($5) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-550 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+99%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($5) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-550 and Pentium 967
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.
Pentium 967
The Pentium 967 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 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: 1,640 points. Launch price was $134.
Processing Power
The Core i3-550 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 967's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-550 versus 1.3 GHz on the Pentium 967 — a 84.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-550 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core i3-550 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium 967 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-550 scores 1,632 against the Pentium 967's 1,640 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium 967. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-550 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 967.
| Feature | Core i3-550 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+146% | 1.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+146% | 1.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+100% | 2 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 | 1,640 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 1,320 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 437 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 899 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-550 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 967 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-550 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-550) / not specified (Pentium 967). The Core i3-550 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Pentium 967 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i3-550 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | Yes | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-550 launched at $138 MSRP, while the Pentium 967 debuted at $134. At current prices ($5 vs $10), the Core i3-550 is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-550 delivers 326.4 pts/$ vs 164.0 pts/$ for the Pentium 967 — making the Core i3-550 the 66.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-550 | Pentium 967 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $138 | $134-3% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $5-50% | $10 |
| Performance per Dollar | 326.4+99% | 164.0 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2011 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i3-550 and Pentium 967
