Core i7-4550U vs Core m5-6Y54

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 i7-4550U vs Core m5-6Y54 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 i7-4550U vs Core m5-6Y54: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4550U

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌11277.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 4.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core m5-6Y54 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core m5-6Y54

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 5W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 515, while Core i7-4550U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4550U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,294 vs 2,307).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i7-4550U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4550U better than Core m5-6Y54?

Yes. Core i7-4550U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4550U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% 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 i7-4550U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-4550U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-4550U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $281 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core m5-6Y54 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.4% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core m5-6Y54 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4550U vs Core m5-6Y54 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4550U

The Core i7-4550U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,307 points. Launch price was $69.

Core m5-6Y54

The Core m5-6Y54 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,294 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4550U and Core m5-6Y54 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-4550U versus 2.7 GHz on the Core m5-6Y54 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4550U (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-4550U uses the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core m5-6Y54 uses Skylake-Y (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4550U scores 2,307 against the Core m5-6Y54's 2,294 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-4550U. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4550U	Core m5-6Y54
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+11%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz+36%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-ULT (2013)	Skylake-Y (2015)
PassMark	2,307	2,294
Geekbench 6 Single	—	875
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,648

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4550U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m5-6Y54 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4550U	Core m5-6Y54
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	10

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4550U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core m5-6Y54). The Core m5-6Y54 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 515), while the Core i7-4550U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core m5-6Y54 targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core m5-6Y54 rivals Pentium Gold 4415Y.