Core i3-550 vs Pentium 967

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 Pentium 967 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 Pentium 967: 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% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Pentium 967 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium 967.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,632 vs 1,640).
❌
3% HIGHER MSRP
$138 MSRPvs$134 MSRP
❌329.4% higher power demand at 73W vs 17W.

Pentium 967

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $4 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Draws 17W instead of 73W, a 56W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌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 Pentium 967 better than Core i3-550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-550 is ahead with 146.2% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 967 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i3-550 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 967 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 967 is the better buy right now. Pentium 967 comes in $4 cheaper on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-550 is still the better pure gaming CPU with 146.2% higher max boost clock. It is also 3.5% better value on MSRP (12.2 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 967 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 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 Pentium 967 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.

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	No	—
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

At launch, the Core i3-550 was priced at $138, while the Pentium 967 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($138 vs $134), Pentium 967 was $4 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-550 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 12.2 pts/$ for the Pentium 967 — making the Pentium 967 the 3.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-550	Pentium 967
MSRP	$138	$134-3%
Performance per Dollar	11.8	12.2+3%
Release Date	2010	2011

Search Core i3-550 on Amazon

Search Pentium 967 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.