Core i5-3550S vs FX-6330

Core i5-3550S vs FX-6330 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3550S

4 / 4

4,442

+0.2%

4,433

0.0%

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 i5-3550S vs FX-6330 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 i5-3550S vs FX-6330: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-3550S

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2500, while FX-6330 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-6330.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.7 vs 40.7 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

FX-6330

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $96 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).
✅Delivers 87.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.7 vs 21.7 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,433 vs 4,442).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3550S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-3550S.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6330 better than Core i5-3550S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-6330 is ahead with a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3550S pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. FX-6330 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3550S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-6330 is the better buy right now. FX-6330 comes in $96 cheaper on MSRP at $109 MSRP versus $205 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-3550S is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 87.7% better value on MSRP (40.7 vs 21.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-6330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3550S vs FX-6330 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-3550S

The Core i5-3550S 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 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,442 points. Launch price was $350.

FX-6330

The FX-6330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,433 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3550S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6330 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550S versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6330 — a 12.7% clock advantage for the FX-6330 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-3550S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-6330 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550S scores 4,442 against the FX-6330's 4,433 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-3550S. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3550S vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-6330.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	FX-6330
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.2 GHz+14%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,442	4,433
Geekbench 6 Single	619	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6330 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	FX-6330
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3550S) / not specified (FX-6330). The Core i5-3550S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the FX-6330 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3550S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3550S rivals FX-6350.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	FX-6330
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3550S was priced at $205, while the FX-6330 came in at $109. On launch pricing ($205 vs $109), FX-6330 was $96 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550S delivers 21.7 pts/$ vs 40.7 pts/$ for the FX-6330 — making the FX-6330 the 61% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	FX-6330
MSRP	$205	$109-47%
Performance per Dollar	21.7	40.7+88%
Release Date	2012	2015

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