Core i7-5550U vs Core i7-5500U

Core i7-5550U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2015

Core i7-5500U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-5550U

2 / 4

2,780

0.0%

2,807

+1.0%

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 i7-5550U is positioned at rank 485 and the Core i7-5500U is on rank 733, so the Core i7-5550U 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 i7-5550U

#153

Core i7-1370P

MSRP: $438|Avg: $280

99%

#473

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

633%

#474

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

624%

#475

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

573%

#476

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

570%

#477

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

565%

#479

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

546%

#480

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

523%

#481

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

522%

#482

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

508%

#485

Core i7-5550U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#488

Processor U300

MSRP: $193|Avg: $180

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5500U

#721

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1045%

#722

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1030%

#723

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

945%

#724

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

941%

#725

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

933%

#727

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

901%

#728

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

864%

#729

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

862%

#730

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

839%

#733

Core i7-5500U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#744

Pentium 6805

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

98%

#748

Ryzen 3 7320C

MSRP: $299|Avg: $200

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Analysis: Based on specifications, the Core i7-5500U shows stronger theoretical performance metrics.

Insight	Core i7-5550U	Core i7-5500U
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-5550U	Core i7-5500U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i7-5550U Benchmark Check

Core i7-5500U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-5550U and Core i7-5500U

Core i7-5550U

The Core i7-5550U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,780 points. Launch price was $426.

Core i7-5500U

The Core i7-5500U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,807 points. Launch price was $393.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-5550U and Core i7-5500U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-5550U versus 3 GHz on the Core i7-5500U — identical boost frequencies (base: 2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). Both are built on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-5550U scores 2,780 against the Core i7-5500U's 2,807 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-5500U. Both processors carry 4 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-5550U	Core i7-5500U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.4 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,780	2,807
Geekbench 6 Single	—	956
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,933

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1168 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i7-5550U	Core i7-5500U
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-5550U) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i7-5500U). The Core i7-5500U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 5500), while the Core i7-5550U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-5500U targets Ultrabook.