CPU
GPU
Core i5-3550S
Steam Deck OLED APU
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 i5-3550S is positioned at rank 758 and the Steam Deck OLED APU is on rank 827, so the Core i5-3550S offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3550S
Performance Per Dollar Steam Deck OLED APU
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3550S | Steam Deck OLED APU |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) / 6 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3550S | Steam Deck OLED APU |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i5-3550S and Steam Deck OLED APU
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.
Steam Deck OLED APU
The Steam Deck OLED APU is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 November 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 6 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,457 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i5-3550S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Steam Deck OLED APU's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550S versus 3.5 GHz on the Steam Deck OLED APU — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550S (base: 3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-3550S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Steam Deck OLED APU uses Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550S scores 4,442 against the Steam Deck OLED APU's 4,457 — a 0.3% lead for the Steam Deck OLED APU. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3550S vs 4 MB on the Steam Deck OLED APU.
| Feature | Core i5-3550S | Steam Deck OLED APU |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+6% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+25% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total)+50% | 4 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2 MB+700% |
| Process | 22 nm | 6 nm-73% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Van Gogh (Custom) (2023) |
| PassMark | 4,442 | 4,457 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 619 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3550S) / not specified (Steam Deck OLED APU). The Core i5-3550S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Steam Deck OLED APU 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 | Steam Deck OLED APU |
|---|---|---|
| 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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