Core i5-3550 vs Opteron 6220
Core i5-3550
Opteron 6220
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 Opteron 6220 is on rank 71, so the Opteron 6220 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 Opteron 6220
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3550 | Opteron 6220 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($239) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Interlagos (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3550 | Opteron 6220 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+701%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($239) |
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 Opteron 6220
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.
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) | 2 MB (per module)+700% |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Interlagos (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 4,778 | 4,753 |
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 |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-3550 launched at $194 MSRP, while the Opteron 6220 debuted at $523. At current prices ($30 vs $239), the Core i5-3550 is $209 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 159.3 pts/$ vs 19.9 pts/$ for the Opteron 6220 — making the Core i5-3550 the 155.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-3550 | Opteron 6220 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $194-63% | $523 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-87% | $239 |
| Performance per Dollar | 159.3+701% | 19.9 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2011 |
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