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 i7-8665UE 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 i7-8665UE: 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

✅Costs $215 less on MSRP ($194 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
✅Delivers 107.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.6 vs 11.9 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8665UE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,778 vs 4,852).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌413.3% higher power demand at 77W vs 15W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-8665UE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-8665UE

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 15W instead of 77W, a 62W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 620, while Core i5-3550 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.9 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8665UE better than Core i5-3550?

Yes. Core i7-8665UE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8665UE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.4% 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 i7-8665UE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-8665UE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8665UE comes in 110.8% more expensive on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $194 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3550 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 107.6% better value on paper (24.6 vs 11.9 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8665UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 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 i7-8665UE 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 i7-8665UE

The Core i7-8665UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,852 points. Launch price was $409.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3550 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-8665UE's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-8665UE — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8665UE (base: 3.3 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i5-3550 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-8665UE uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the Core i7-8665UE's 4,852 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i7-8665UE. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3550 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8665UE.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i7-8665UE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.4 GHz+19%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+94%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	4,778	4,852+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8665UE uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i7-8665UE
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1528
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) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8665UE). The Core i7-8665UE includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the Core i5-3550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8665UE targets Embedded.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i7-8665UE
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 620
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Embedded

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3550 was priced at $194, while the Core i7-8665UE came in at $409. On launch pricing ($194 vs $409), Core i5-3550 was $215 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 11.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-8665UE — making the Core i5-3550 the 70% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Core i7-8665UE
MSRP	$194-53%	$409
Performance per Dollar	24.6+107%	11.9
Release Date	2012	2018

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