CPU
GPU
Core i5-2557M
Core i3-550
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 i5-2557M is positioned at rank 36 and the Core i3-550 is on rank 965, so the Core i5-2557M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2557M
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2557M | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2557M | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
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 i5-2557M and Core i3-550
Core i5-2557M
The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-2557M and Core i3-550 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-550 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-550 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i5-2557M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-550 uses Clarkdale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2557M scores 1,618 against the Core i3-550's 1,632 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-550. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 521 vs 437, a 17.5% lead for the Core i5-2557M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 882 vs 899 (1.9% advantage for the Core i3-550). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-550.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.2 GHz+19% |
| Base Clock | 1.7 GHz | 3.2 GHz+88% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 4 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Clarkdale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,618 | 1,632 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,320 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 521+19% | 437 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 882 | 899+2% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2557M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-550 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i3-550 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QS67 (Core i5-2557M) and H55,H57,P55,Q57 (Core i3-550).
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M) vs Yes (Core i3-550). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2557M) and Intel HD Graphics (Core i3-550) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | Core i3-550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | Intel HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | Yes |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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