Core i5-460M vs Pentium 3550M

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 i5-460M vs Pentium 3550M 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 i5-460M vs Pentium 3550M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-460M

2010

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Pentium 3550M needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,321 vs 1,327).
❌Launch MSRP is still $80 MSRP, while Pentium 3550M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium 3550M

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-460M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-460M better than Pentium 3550M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-460M is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 3550M pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i5-460M also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 3550M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i5-460M is the better buy right now. Core i5-460M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $80 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium 3550M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 3550M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-460M vs Pentium 3550M Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-460M

The Core i5-460M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,321 points. Launch price was $80.

Pentium 3550M

The Pentium 3550M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,327 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-460M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium 3550M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-460M versus 2.3 GHz on the Pentium 3550M — a 19.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-460M (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-460M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium 3550M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-460M scores 1,321 against the Pentium 3550M's 1,327 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium 3550M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-460M vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 3550M.

Feature	Core i5-460M	Pentium 3550M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+22%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.53 GHz+10%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,321	1,327
Geekbench 6 Single	343	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-460M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 3550M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-460M	Pentium 3550M
Socket	PGA988	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-460M) / not specified (Pentium 3550M). The Core i5-460M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium 3550M requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-460M rivals AMD Turion II M620.