Core i5-3550S vs Phenom II X3 P840

Core i5-3550S vs Phenom II X3 P840 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3550S

4 / 4

4,442

+0.4%

4,425

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 Phenom II X3 P840 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 Phenom II X3 P840: 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: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2500, while Phenom II X3 P840 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Phenom II X3 P840.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $205 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 P840 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌4233.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 1.5W.

Phenom II X3 P840

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-3550S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,425 vs 4,442).
❌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 Phenom II X3 P840?

Yes. Core i5-3550S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, 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 4.8% 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.

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

Core i5-3550S is the better buy right now. Core i5-3550S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $205 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-3550S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3550S vs Phenom II X3 P840 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.

Phenom II X3 P840

The Phenom II X3 P840 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,425 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3550S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom II X3 P840 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Core i5-3550S has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550S versus 1.9 GHz on the Phenom II X3 P840 — a 64.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550S. The Core i5-3550S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X3 P840 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550S scores 4,442 against the Phenom II X3 P840's 4,425 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3550S.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	Phenom II X3 P840
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+33%	3 / 3
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+95%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.5 MB+500%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	4,442	4,425
Geekbench 6 Single	619	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3550S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X3 P840 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3550S	Phenom II X3 P840
Socket	LGA1155	S1
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3550S) / not specified (Phenom II X3 P840). The Core i5-3550S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Phenom II X3 P840 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3550S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3550S rivals FX-6350.