Core i7-3555LE vs Core i3-3210

Core i7-3555LE

2 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2012

Core i3-3210

2 Cores4 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3555LE

2 / 4

2,238

+0.4%

2,229

0.0%

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 i7-3555LE is positioned at rank 1150 and the Core i3-3210 is on rank 814, so the Core i3-3210 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3555LE

#1138

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3933%

#1139

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3875%

#1140

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3558%

#1141

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3542%

#1142

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3509%

#1144

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3389%

#1145

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3249%

#1146

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3244%

#1147

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3157%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

100%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

99%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

99%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

98%

#1154

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

97%

#1155

Core M-5Y51

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

97%

#1156

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

97%

#1158

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

95%

#1159

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

95%

#1160

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

#1162

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

94%

#1164

Celeron N3010

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

92%

#1165

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3210

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

16363%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

15461%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

11226%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3382%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2679%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2344%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1342%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1325%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1206%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1206%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1193%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1160%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1144%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1140%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1129%

#814

Core i3-3210

MSRP: $117|Avg: $25

100%

#815

Celeron G3900E

MSRP: $107|Avg: $35

100%

#816

Athlon II X3 435

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

99%

#817

Core i7-6822EQ

MSRP: $294|Avg: $190

99%

#818

Athlon II X4 645

MSRP: $126|Avg: $20

99%

#819

Core i5-7400

MSRP: $294|Avg: $70

98%

#820

Pentium E5800

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

98%

#821

Core i7-6820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $344

98%

#822

A6-9500

MSRP: $101|Avg: $25

97%

#823

Pentium G2120T

MSRP: $87|Avg: $10

97%

#824

Athlon II X2 270

MSRP: $72|Avg: $15

97%

#826

Core i7-6850K

MSRP: $617|Avg: $80

97%

#827

Core i5-2500K

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

97%

#828

Pentium G3430

MSRP: $116|Avg: $30

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-3210 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-3555LE is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-3555LE	Core i3-3210
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($280)	✅ More affordable ($25)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-3210 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 91% cheaper ($25 vs $280) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i7-3555LE	Core i3-3210
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1015%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($280)	✅ More affordable ($25)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i7-3555LE Benchmark Check

Core i3-3210 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3555LE and Core i3-3210

Core i7-3555LE

The Core i7-3555LE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,238 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i3-3210

The Core i3-3210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,229 points. Launch price was $120.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3555LE and Core i3-3210 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3555LE versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-3210 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-3555LE scores 2,238 against the Core i3-3210's 2,229 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-3555LE. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3555LE vs 3072 kB (total) on the Core i3-3210.

Feature	Core i7-3555LE	Core i3-3210
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.2 GHz+28%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3072 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,238	2,229
Geekbench 6 Single	—	505
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,113

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3555LE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-3210 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3555LE	Core i3-3210
Socket	BGA1023	LGA1155
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: not specified (Core i7-3555LE) / VT-x (Core i3-3210). The Core i3-3210 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Core i7-3555LE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3210 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3210 rivals Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i7-3555LE	Core i3-3210
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 2500
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-3555LE launched at $300 MSRP, while the Core i3-3210 debuted at $117. At current prices ($280 vs $25), the Core i3-3210 is $255 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3555LE delivers 8.0 pts/$ vs 89.2 pts/$ for the Core i3-3210 — making the Core i3-3210 the 167.1% better value option.