i9-12900KF vs i3-550

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-550 and Core i9-12900KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	2410	175
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.07	38.92
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	no data	Intel Core i9
Architecture codename	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Alder Lake, Golden Cove, Gracemont (2021)
Release date	30 May 2010 (14 years ago)	27 October 2021 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$101	$564

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-12900KF has 55500% better value for money than i3-550.

Detailed specifications

Core i3-550 and Core i9-12900KF 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 cores	2 (Dual-core)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	4	24
Base clock speed	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.2 GHz	5.2 GHz
Bus type	no data	DMI 4.0
Bus rate	2.5 GT/s	8 × 16 GT/s
Multiplier	no data	32
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	768 KB
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	4 MB
L3 cache	4 MB (shared)	6 MB
Chip lithography	32 nm	Intel 7 nm
Die size	81 mm2	215.25 mm2
Maximum core temperature	73 °C	100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	72 °C
Number of transistors	382 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	+
Unlocked multiplier	-	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-550 and Core i9-12900KF 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 configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA1156	FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)	73 Watt	125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-550 and Core i9-12900KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	-	+
AVX	-	+
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Speed Shift	no data	+
Turbo Boost Technology	-	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	-	+
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
PAE	36 Bit	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	+
FDI	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Launched
Deep Learning Boost	-	+

Security technologies

Core i3-550 and Core i9-12900KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	no data
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	no data	+
OS Guard	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-550 and Core i9-12900KF are enumerated here.

VT-d	no data	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-550 and Core i9-12900KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size	16.38 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	21 GB/s	76.805 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors	no data
Clear Video HD	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-550 and Core i9-12900KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

2

no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-550 and Core i9-12900KF.

PCIe version	2.0	5.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes	16	20

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

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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.

Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	1.04	26.60
Recency	30 May 2010	27 October 2021
Physical cores	2	16
Threads	4	24
Power consumption (TDP)	73 Watt	125 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-550 and Core i9-12900KF, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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