Apple M1 Pro 8-Core vs i3-550

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-550
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
1.01
Apple M1 Pro 8-Core
2021
8 cores / 8 threads
10.83
+972%

Apple M1 Pro 8-Core outperforms Core i3-550 by a whopping 972% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-550 and Apple M1 Pro 8-Core processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2458720
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.12no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataApple M-Series
Power efficiency1.30no data
Architecture codenameClarkdale (2010−2011)no data
Release date30 May 2010 (14 years ago)18 October 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$101no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-550 and Apple M1 Pro 8-Core basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads48
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.06 GHz
Boost clock speed3.2 GHz3.22 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)2.3 MB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)28 MB
L3 cache4 MB (shared)16 MB
Chip lithography32 nm5 nm
Die size81 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature73 °Cno data
Number of transistors382 million33700 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-550 and Apple M1 Pro 8-Core compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1no data
SocketFCLGA1156no data
Power consumption (TDP)73 Wattno data

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-550 and Apple M1 Pro 8-Core. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
FDI+no data

Security technologies

Core i3-550 and Apple M1 Pro 8-Core technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-550 and Apple M1 Pro 8-Core are enumerated here.

VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-550 and Apple M1 Pro 8-Core. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3no data
Maximum memory size16.38 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel ProcessorsApple M1 Pro 14-Core GPU ( - 1296 MHz)
Clear Video HD+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-550 and Apple M1 Pro 8-Core integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-550 and Apple M1 Pro 8-Core.

PCIe version2.0no data
PCI Express lanes16no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i3-550 1.01
Apple M1 Pro 8-Core 10.83
+972%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-550 1609
Apple M1 Pro 8-Core 17201
+969%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.01 10.83
Recency 30 May 2010 18 October 2021
Physical cores 2 8
Threads 4 8
Chip lithography 32 nm 5 nm

Apple M1 Pro 8-Core has a 972.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 300% more physical cores and 100% more threads, and a 540% more advanced lithography process.

The Apple M1 Pro 8-Core is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-550 in performance tests.

Note that Core i3-550 is a desktop processor while Apple M1 Pro 8-Core is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-550 and Apple M1 Pro 8-Core, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i3-550
Core i3-550
Apple M1 Pro 8-Core
M1 Pro 8-Core

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.2 429 votes

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3.8 104 votes

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Questions & comments

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