Core i7-5550U vs Core m3-8100Y

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 i7-5550U vs Core m3-8100Y 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 i7-5550U vs Core m3-8100Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-5550U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core m3-8100Y

2018

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-5550U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,767 vs 2,780).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5550U better than Core m3-8100Y?

Yes. Core i7-5550U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-5550U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% 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 i7-5550U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-5550U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-5550U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core m3-8100Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-5550U vs Core m3-8100Y Technical Specifications

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

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 m3-8100Y

The Core m3-8100Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,767 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-5550U and Core m3-8100Y share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-5550U versus 3.4 GHz on the Core m3-8100Y — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core m3-8100Y (base: 2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-5550U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core m3-8100Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5550U scores 2,780 against the Core m3-8100Y's 2,767 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-5550U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5550U vs 4 MB on the Core m3-8100Y.

Feature	Core i7-5550U	Core m3-8100Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.4 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2 GHz+82%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	2,780	2,767

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5550U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core m3-8100Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.