Core i5-3550 vs Xeon E5-1410
Core i5-3550
Xeon E5-1410
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 Xeon E5-1410 is on rank 367, so the Xeon E5-1410 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 Xeon E5-1410
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3550 | Xeon E5-1410 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3550 | Xeon E5-1410 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+81%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) |
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 Xeon E5-1410
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.
Xeon E5-1410
The Xeon E5-1410 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,852 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i5-3550 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E5-1410's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-1410 — a 14.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-3550 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-1410 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550 scores 4,778 against the Xeon E5-1410's 4,852 — a 1.5% lead for the Xeon E5-1410. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3550 vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1410.
| Feature | Core i5-3550 | Xeon E5-1410 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+16% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+18% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 10240 kB (total)+67% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) |
| PassMark | 4,778 | 4,852+2% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3550 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1410 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-3550 | Xeon E5-1410 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1356 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-3550 launched at $194 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-1410 debuted at $120. At current prices ($30 vs $55), the Core i5-3550 is $25 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550 delivers 159.3 pts/$ vs 88.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1410 — making the Core i5-3550 the 57.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-3550 | Xeon E5-1410 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $194 | $120-38% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-45% | $55 |
| Performance per Dollar | 159.3+81% | 88.2 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2012 |
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