Core i3-550 vs Turion X2 RM-72

Core i3-550 vs Turion X2 RM-72 Performance Spectrum

Core i3-550

2 / 4

1,632

+0.3%

1,627

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i3-550 vs Turion X2 RM-72 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 Turion X2 RM-72: 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+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Turion X2 RM-72 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Turion X2 RM-72.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $138 MSRP, while Turion X2 RM-72 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌7200% higher power demand at 73W vs 1W.

Turion X2 RM-72

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 73W, a 72W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,627 vs 1,632).
❌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 Turion X2 RM-72?

Yes. Core i3-550 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-550 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.3% 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 at an unclear MSRP at $138 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-550 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-550 vs Turion X2 RM-72 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.

Turion X2 RM-72

The Turion X2 RM-72 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Puma (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,627 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-550 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Turion X2 RM-72's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-550 versus 2.1 GHz on the Turion X2 RM-72 — a 41.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-550. The Core i3-550 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Turion X2 RM-72 uses Puma (2008−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-550 scores 1,632 against the Turion X2 RM-72's 1,627 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-550. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-550 vs 0 kB on the Turion X2 RM-72.

Feature	Core i3-550	Turion X2 RM-72
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+52%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Puma (2008−2009)
PassMark	1,632	1,627
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 Turion X2 RM-72 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-550	Turion X2 RM-72
Socket	LGA1156	S1
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i3-550) / not specified (Turion X2 RM-72). The Core i3-550 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Turion X2 RM-72 requires a dedicated GPU.