CPU
GPU
Core i5-3550S
Xeon E5-2609 v3
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 Xeon E5-2609 v3 is on rank 728, so the Xeon E5-2609 v3 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 Xeon E5-2609 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3550S | Xeon E5-2609 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($100) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($306) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3550S | Xeon E5-2609 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+204%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($100) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($306) |
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 Xeon E5-2609 v3
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.
Xeon E5-2609 v3
The Xeon E5-2609 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,465 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i5-3550S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2609 v3 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon E5-2609 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550S versus 1.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-2609 v3 — a 64.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550S (base: 3 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i5-3550S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2609 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3550S scores 4,442 against the Xeon E5-2609 v3's 4,465 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2609 v3. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3550S vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2609 v3.
| Feature | Core i5-3550S | Xeon E5-2609 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 6+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+95% | 1.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+58% | 1.9 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total) | 15 MB (total)+150% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Haswell-EP (2014−2015) |
| PassMark | 4,442 | 4,465 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 619 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3550S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2609 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-3550S | Xeon E5-2609 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3550S) / not specified (Xeon E5-2609 v3). The Core i5-3550S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Xeon E5-2609 v3 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 | Xeon E5-2609 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
The Core i5-3550S launched at $205 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2609 v3 debuted at $306. At current prices ($100 vs $306), the Core i5-3550S is $206 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3550S delivers 44.4 pts/$ vs 14.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2609 v3 — making the Core i5-3550S the 101.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-3550S | Xeon E5-2609 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $205-33% | $306 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100-67% | $306 |
| Performance per Dollar | 44.4+204% | 14.6 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2014 |
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