Core i5-3550 vs Core i5-7442EQ

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 i5-7442EQ 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 i5-7442EQ: 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: +7.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $56 less on MSRP ($194 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 27.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.6 vs 19.3 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,778 vs 4,834).
❌208% higher power demand at 77W vs 25W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7442EQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-7442EQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 25W instead of 77W, a 52W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Core i5-3550 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3550 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 19.3 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7442EQ better than Core i5-3550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3550 is ahead with a 7.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7442EQ pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7442EQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7442EQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7442EQ comes in 28.9% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $194 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. Core i5-3550 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 27.4% better value on paper (24.6 vs 19.3 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i5-7442EQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 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 i5-3550 vs Core i5-7442EQ 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 i5-7442EQ

The Core i5-7442EQ 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. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,834 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3550 and Core i5-7442EQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i5-7442EQ — a 55.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550. The Core i5-3550 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-7442EQ uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the Core i5-7442EQ's 4,834 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-7442EQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3550 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-7442EQ.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-7442EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+76%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	4,778	4,834+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	728
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,387

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3550) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7442EQ). The Core i5-7442EQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i5-3550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7442EQ targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-7442EQ
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3550 was priced at $194, while the Core i5-7442EQ came in at $250. On launch pricing ($194 vs $250), Core i5-3550 was $56 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 19.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-7442EQ — making the Core i5-3550 the 24.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i5-7442EQ
MSRP	$194-22%	$250
Performance per Dollar	24.6+27%	19.3
Release Date	2012	2017

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