Core i5-3550 vs Processor N95

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 Processor N95 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 Processor N95: 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

✅Better for gaming: +10.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,778 vs 4,783).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 24.6 vs 29.9 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $160 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA1155, while Processor N95 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Processor N95

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $34 less on MSRP ($160 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.9 vs 24.6 PassMark/$ ($160 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1155 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3550 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Processor N95 better than Core i5-3550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3550 is ahead with a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Processor N95 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Processor N95 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Processor N95 is the better buy right now. Processor N95 comes in $34 cheaper on MSRP at $160 MSRP versus $194 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-3550 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 21.4% better value on MSRP (29.9 vs 24.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Processor N95 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2012), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of LGA1155, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-3550 vs Processor N95 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.

Processor N95

The Processor N95 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 4,783 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3550 and Processor N95 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 3.4 GHz on the Processor N95 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core i5-3550 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Processor N95 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the Processor N95's 4,783 — a 0.1% lead for the Processor N95. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Processor N95
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+9%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+3200%	0.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	4,778	4,783

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N95 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Processor N95
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3550 was priced at $194, while the Processor N95 came in at $160. On launch pricing ($194 vs $160), Processor N95 was $34 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 24.6 pts/$ vs 29.9 pts/$ for the Processor N95 — making the Processor N95 the 19.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3550	Processor N95
MSRP	$194	$160-18%
Performance per Dollar	24.6	29.9+22%
Release Date	2012	2023

Search Core i5-3550 on Amazon

Search Processor N95 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.