Core i5-3550 vs Opteron 6220

Core i5-3550 vs Opteron 6220 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3550

4 / 4

4,778

+0.5%

4,753

0.0%

Athlon X4 740

FX-4350

FX-6100

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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.

Core i5-3550 vs Opteron 6220 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 Opteron 6220: 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

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $329 less on MSRP ($194 MSRP vs $523 MSRP).
✅Delivers 171.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.6 vs 9.1 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $523 MSRP).
✅Draws 77W instead of 115W, a 38W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Opteron 6220 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Opteron 6220, which brings 8 cores / 8 threads.

Opteron 6220

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,753 vs 4,778).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.1 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($523 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
❌49.4% higher power demand at 115W vs 77W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3550 better than Opteron 6220?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Opteron 6220 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-3550 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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 0.5% 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 the better buy right now. Core i5-3550 comes in $329 cheaper on MSRP at $194 MSRP versus $523 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Opteron 6220 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 171.0% better value on MSRP (24.6 vs 9.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-3550 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3550 vs Opteron 6220 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.

Opteron 6220

The Opteron 6220 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Interlagos (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per module). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G34. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,753 points. Launch price was $523.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3550 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Opteron 6220 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Opteron 6220 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 3.6 GHz on the Opteron 6220 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-3550 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Opteron 6220 uses Interlagos (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the Opteron 6220's 4,753 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-3550. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3550 vs 8 MB (total) on the Opteron 6220.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Opteron 6220
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+10%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per module)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Interlagos (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,778	4,753

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Opteron 6220 uses G34 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Opteron 6220
Socket	LGA1155	G34
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3550 was priced at $194, while the Opteron 6220 came in at $523. On launch pricing ($194 vs $523), Core i5-3550 was $329 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 9.1 pts/$ for the Opteron 6220 — making the Core i5-3550 the 92.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Opteron 6220
MSRP	$194-63%	$523
Performance per Dollar	24.6+170%	9.1
Release Date	2012	2011

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