Core i5-3550 vs Processor N95

Core i5-3550

4 Cores4 Thrd77 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2012

Processor N95

4 Cores4 Thrd0 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3550

4 / 4

4,778

0.0%

4,783

+0.1%

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 Processor N95 is on rank 695, so the Core i5-3550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3550

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

12656%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

11959%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

8683%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2616%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2072%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1813%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1038%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1025%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

933%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

933%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

922%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

898%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

885%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

881%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

873%

#694

Core i5-3550

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

100%

#695

Core i3-7300

MSRP: $184|Avg: $46

100%

#696

FX-4300

MSRP: $122|Avg: $25

100%

#697

Core i5-3450

MSRP: $184|Avg: $95

100%

#698

Celeron G550

MSRP: $52|Avg: $15

100%

#700

Core i3-4370T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $138

99%

#701

FX-6200

MSRP: $169|Avg: $25

99%

#702

FX-4150

MSRP: $137|Avg: $20

99%

#703

Core i5-2450P

MSRP: $177|Avg: $30

98%

#704

Core i5-4690T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $98

98%

#705

Core i5-4430S

MSRP: $182|Avg: $90

98%

#706

Core i5-4440S

MSRP: $182|Avg: $30

97%

#709

Core i3-4360T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $40

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Processor N95

#682

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

982%

#683

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

967%

#684

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

888%

#685

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

884%

#686

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

876%

#688

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

846%

#689

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

811%

#690

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

810%

#691

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

788%

#695

Processor N95

MSRP: $160|Avg: $80

100%

#698

Athlon Silver 3050e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

100%

#703

C-60

MSRP: $50|Avg: $20

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Processor N95 (2023) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-3550	Processor N95
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-3550 (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-3550	Processor N95
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+166%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($30)	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-3550 Benchmark Check

Processor N95 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3550 and Processor N95

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)	2 MB (total)+700%
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

The Core i5-3550 launched at $194 MSRP, while the Processor N95 debuted at $160. At current prices ($30 vs $80), the Core i5-3550 is $50 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 159.3 pts/$ vs 59.8 pts/$ for the Processor N95 — making the Core i5-3550 the 90.8% better value option.