Core i5-3550 vs N250
Core i5-3550
N250
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 N250 is on rank 133, so the N250 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 N250
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3550 | N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior 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) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3550 | N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 N250
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.
N250
The N250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 4,773 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-3550 and N250 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 3.8 GHz on the N250 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the N250. The Core i5-3550 is built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the N250's 4,773 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-3550. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3550 vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N250.
| Feature | Core i5-3550 | N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.8 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | — |
| Process | 22 nm | Intel 7 nm-68% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | — |
| PassMark | 4,778 | 4,773 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the N250 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-3550 | N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | FCBGA1264 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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