Core i5-3550 vs Core i5-6500T
Core i5-3550
Core i5-6500T
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 i5-3550 is positioned at rank 694 and the Core i5-6500T is on rank 493, so the Core i5-6500T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3550
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6500T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3550 | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3550 | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+17%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
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 i5-3550 and Core i5-6500T
Core i5-3550
The Core i5-3550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,778 points. Launch price was $205.
Core i5-6500T
The Core i5-6500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,764 points. Launch price was $192.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-3550 and Core i5-6500T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-6500T — a 17.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-3550 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6500T uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the Core i5-6500T's 4,764 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-3550. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i5-3550 | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+19% | 3.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+32% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 4,778 | 4,764 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6500T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-3550 | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2133 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3550) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6500T). The Core i5-6500T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i5-3550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6500T targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-3550 | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 530 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-3550 launched at $194 MSRP, while the Core i5-6500T debuted at $117. At current prices ($30 vs $35), the Core i5-3550 is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 159.3 pts/$ vs 136.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-6500T — making the Core i5-3550 the 15.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-3550 | Core i5-6500T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $194 | $117-40% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-14% | $35 |
| Performance per Dollar | 159.3+17% | 136.1 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2015 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-3550 and Core i5-6500T
