Xeon E5-1603 v3 vs Core i5-3550S
Xeon E5-1603 v3
Core i5-3550S
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 Xeon E5-1603 v3 is positioned at rank 683 and the Core i5-3550S is on rank 758, so the Xeon E5-1603 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-1603 v3
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3550S
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-1603 v3 | Core i5-3550S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-1603 v3 | Core i5-3550S |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+151%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-1603 v3 and Core i5-3550S
Xeon E5-1603 v3
The Xeon E5-1603 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,460 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i5-3550S
The Core i5-3550S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,442 points. Launch price was $350.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E5-1603 v3 and Core i5-3550S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1603 v3 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-3550S — a 27.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-3550S (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E5-1603 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-3550S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1603 v3 scores 4,460 against the Core i5-3550S's 4,442 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-1603 v3. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1603 v3 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3550S.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1603 v3 | Core i5-3550S |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.7 GHz+32% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3 GHz+7% |
| L3 Cache | 10 MB (total)+67% | 6144 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell-EP (2014−2015) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,460 | 4,442 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 619 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-1603 v3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3550S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1603 v3 | Core i5-3550S |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011-3 | 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 (Xeon E5-1603 v3) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3550S). The Core i5-3550S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Xeon E5-1603 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3550S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3550S rivals FX-6350.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1603 v3 | Core i5-3550S |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 2500 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Legacy Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-1603 v3 launched at $273 MSRP, while the Core i5-3550S debuted at $205. At current prices ($40 vs $100), the Xeon E5-1603 v3 is $60 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1603 v3 delivers 111.5 pts/$ vs 44.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-3550S — making the Xeon E5-1603 v3 the 86% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1603 v3 | Core i5-3550S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $273 | $205-25% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-60% | $100 |
| Performance per Dollar | 111.5+151% | 44.4 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2012 |
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