Core i5-3550S vs Pentium 6805

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 Pentium 6805 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 Pentium 6805: 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

✅Better for gaming: +10.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2500, while Pentium 6805 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium 6805.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.7 vs 27.5 PassMark/$ ($205 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.

Pentium 6805

2020

Why buy it

✅Costs $44 less on MSRP ($161 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 27.5 vs 21.7 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $205 MSRP).
✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3550S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,424 vs 4,442).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌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 Core i5-3550S better than Pentium 6805?

Yes. Core i5-3550S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-3550S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i5-3550S is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-3550S comes in 27.3% more expensive on MSRP at $205 MSRP versus $161 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium 6805 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 10.3% in the shared gaming data.

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

Pentium 6805 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3550S vs Pentium 6805 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.

Pentium 6805

The Pentium 6805 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-Y (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1526. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 4,424 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3550S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium 6805 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-3550S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550S versus 3 GHz on the Pentium 6805 — a 20.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550S (base: 3 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-3550S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Pentium 6805 uses Ice Lake-Y (2020) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550S scores 4,442 against the Pentium 6805's 4,424 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3550S. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3550S vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium 6805.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	Pentium 6805
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+23%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+173%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ice Lake-Y (2020)
PassMark	4,442	4,424
Geekbench 6 Single	619	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium 6805 uses FCBGA1526 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	Pentium 6805
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1526
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3550S) / not specified (Pentium 6805). The Core i5-3550S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Pentium 6805 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	Pentium 6805
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3550S was priced at $205, while the Pentium 6805 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($205 vs $161), Pentium 6805 was $44 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550S delivers 21.7 pts/$ vs 27.5 pts/$ for the Pentium 6805 — making the Pentium 6805 the 23.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	Pentium 6805
MSRP	$205	$161-21%
Performance per Dollar	21.7	27.5+27%
Release Date	2012	2020

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