Core i5-3550 vs Core i5-7400T

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 i5-3550 vs Core i5-7400T 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 i5-3550 vs Core i5-7400T: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3550

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌
6.6% HIGHER MSRP
$194 MSRPvs$182 MSRP
❌120% higher power demand at 77W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7400T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7400T.

Core i5-7400T

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $12 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 77W, a 42W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while Core i5-3550 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-3550.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3550 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,692 vs 4,778).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3550 better than Core i5-7400T?

Yes. Core i5-3550 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-3550 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% 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 i5-3550 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3550 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-3550 comes in 6.6% more expensive on MSRP at $194 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-7400T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 4.7% better value on paper (25.8 vs 24.6 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-7400T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3550 vs Core i5-7400T Technical Specifications

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

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 i5-7400T

The Core i5-7400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,692 points. Launch price was $187.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3550 and Core i5-7400T share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-7400T — a 20.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-3550 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-7400T uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the Core i5-7400T's 4,692 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i5-3550. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-7400T
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+23%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+38%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,778+2%	4,692
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,334
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,069
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,463

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7400T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-7400T
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3550) / Yes (Core i5-7400T). The Core i5-7400T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-3550 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-7400T
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 630
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3550 was priced at $194, while the Core i5-7400T came in at $182. On launch pricing ($194 vs $182), Core i5-7400T was $12 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 25.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-7400T — making the Core i5-7400T the 4.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-7400T
MSRP	$194	$182-6%
Performance per Dollar	24.6	25.8+5%
Release Date	2012	2017

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