Core i3-550 vs Pentium G2010

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 G2010 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 G2010: 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

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Pentium G2010 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium G2010.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,632 vs 1,641).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.8 vs 25.6 PassMark/$ ($138 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).
❌32.7% higher power demand at 73W vs 55W.

Pentium G2010

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $74 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Delivers 116.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.6 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $138 MSRP).
✅Draws 55W instead of 73W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 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 G2010 better than Core i3-550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-550 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G2010 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. 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, Pentium G2010 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G2010 is the better buy right now. Pentium G2010 comes in $74 cheaper on MSRP at $64 MSRP versus $138 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-550 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 116.8% better value on MSRP (25.6 vs 11.8 PassMark/$), 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 G2010 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 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 G2010 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 G2010

The Pentium G2010 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,641 points. Launch price was $466.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-550 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G2010's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-550 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G2010 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-550 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-550 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G2010 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-550 scores 1,632 against the Pentium G2010's 1,641 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium G2010. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-550 vs 3072 kB (total) on the Pentium G2010.

Feature	Core i3-550	Pentium G2010
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3072 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,632	1,641
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 Pentium G2010 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-550	Pentium G2010
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1155
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 (Pentium G2010). The Core i3-550 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Pentium G2010 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i3-550	Pentium G2010
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 Pentium G2010 came in at $64. On launch pricing ($138 vs $64), Pentium G2010 was $74 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-550 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 25.6 pts/$ for the Pentium G2010 — making the Pentium G2010 the 73.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-550	Pentium G2010
MSRP	$138	$64-54%
Performance per Dollar	11.8	25.6+117%
Release Date	2010	2013

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