Core i3-550 vs Core i3-6100U

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1936	2317
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	no data	0.04
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i3	no data
Architecture codename	Skylake (2015−2016)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Release date	1 September 2015 (8 years ago)	30 May 2010 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$281	$101
Current price	$430 (1.5x MSRP)	$197 (2x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550 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)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	4	4
Base clock speed	2.3 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	2.3 GHz	3.2 GHz
Bus support	4 GT/s	no data
L1 cache	128 KB	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	512 KB	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	3 MB	4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Die size	98.57 mm210.3 mm × 9.57 mm	81 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	73 °C
Number of transistors	1750 Million	382 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550 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	FCBGA1356	FCLGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)	15 Watt	73 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2	Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
My WiFi	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	-	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	-	no data
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	-
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
SIPP	-	no data
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	no data	-
PAE	no data	36 Bit
FDI	no data	+
Status	Launched	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	-
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	no data
MPX	+	no data
Identity Protection	+	no data
SGX	Yes with Intel® ME	no data
OS Guard	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3, DDR4	DDR3
Maximum memory size	32 GB	16.38 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	34.1 GB/s	21 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel HD Graphics 520	Intel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors
Max video memory	32 GB	no data
Quick Sync Video	+	no data
Clear Video	+	no data
Clear Video HD	+	+
Graphics max frequency	1 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	3	2
eDP	+	no data
DisplayPort	+	no data
HDMI	+	no data
DVI	+	no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support	+	no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096x2304@24Hz	no data
Max resolution over eDP	4096x2304@60Hz	no data
Max resolution over DisplayPort	4096x2304@60Hz	no data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	12	no data
OpenGL	4.5	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550.

PCIe version	3.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	12	16

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.

Core i3-6100U outperforms Core i3-550 by 63% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	1.70	1.04
Recency	1 September 2015	30 May 2010
Cost	$281	$101
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	15 Watt	73 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-6100U and Core i3-550, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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