Core i5-2550K vs Core i5-3340

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 i5-2550K vs Core i5-3340 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 i5-2550K vs Core i5-3340: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-2550K

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-3340.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,228 vs 4,249).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.0 vs 23.3 PassMark/$ ($235 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌23.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 77W.

Core i5-3340

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $53 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).
✅Delivers 29.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.3 vs 18.0 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).
✅Draws 77W instead of 95W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2550K.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3340 better than Core i5-2550K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2550K 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, Core i5-3340 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3340 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3340 is the better buy right now. Core i5-3340 comes in $53 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $235 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-2550K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 29.8% better value on MSRP (23.3 vs 18.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3340 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-2550K vs Core i5-3340 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-2550K

The Core i5-2550K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,228 points. Launch price was $189.

Core i5-3340

The Core i5-3340 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2013 (12 years ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,249 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2550K and Core i5-3340 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-2550K versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-3340 — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2550K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-2550K is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-2550K scores 4,228 against the Core i5-3340's 4,249 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-3340. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2550K vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core i5-3340.

Feature	Core i5-2550K	Core i5-3340
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+15%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	—
PassMark	4,228	4,249
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,058	—
Geekbench 6 Single	707	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,010	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 2.0.

Feature	Core i5-2550K	Core i5-3340
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i5-2550K) / not specified (Core i5-3340).

Feature	Core i5-2550K	Core i5-3340
Integrated GPU	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-2550K was priced at $235, while the Core i5-3340 came in at $182. On launch pricing ($235 vs $182), Core i5-3340 was $53 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2550K delivers 18.0 pts/$ vs 23.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-3340 — making the Core i5-3340 the 25.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-2550K	Core i5-3340
MSRP	$235	$182-23%
Performance per Dollar	18.0	23.3+29%
Release Date	2012	2013

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