Core i5-3550 vs Core i7-3635QM

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 i7-3635QM is on rank 84, so the Core i7-3635QM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3550

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

12656%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

11959%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

8683%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2616%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2072%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1813%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1038%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1025%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

933%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

933%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

922%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

898%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

885%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

881%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

873%

#694

Core i5-3550

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

100%

#695

Core i3-7300

MSRP: $184|Avg: $46

100%

#696

FX-4300

MSRP: $122|Avg: $25

100%

#697

Core i5-3450

MSRP: $184|Avg: $95

100%

#698

Celeron G550

MSRP: $52|Avg: $15

100%

#700

Core i3-4370T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $138

99%

#701

FX-6200

MSRP: $169|Avg: $25

99%

#702

FX-4150

MSRP: $137|Avg: $20

99%

#703

Core i5-2450P

MSRP: $177|Avg: $30

98%

#704

Core i5-4690T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $98

98%

#705

Core i5-4430S

MSRP: $182|Avg: $90

98%

#706

Core i5-4440S

MSRP: $182|Avg: $30

97%

#709

Core i3-4360T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $40

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3635QM

#27

Core Ultra 7 265HX

MSRP: $450|Avg: N/A

92%

#72

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

248%

#73

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

245%

#74

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

225%

#75

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

224%

#76

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

221%

#78

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

214%

#79

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

205%

#80

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

205%

#81

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

199%

#84

Core i7-3635QM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#88

Core 2 Duo T7500

MSRP: $316|Avg: $5

98%

#98

N150

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $128

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-3550 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-3635QM in both compute-intensive tasks (1.1% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-3550	Core i7-3635QM
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-3550	Core i7-3635QM
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-3550 Benchmark Check

Core i7-3635QM Benchmark Check

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Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3550 and Core i7-3635QM

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 i7-3635QM

The Core i7-3635QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1224. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,728 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3550 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3635QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-3635QM — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the Core i7-3635QM's 4,728 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-3550. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i7-3635QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+9%	3.4 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	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,778+1%	4,728

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3635QM uses FCBGA1224 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.