Core i3-10100F vs Core i5-2550K

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2550K and Core i3-10100F processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1618	1063
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	1.65	49.15
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Comet Lake (2020)
Release date	January 2012 (12 years ago)	12 October 2020 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$189	$122
Current price	$74 (0.4x MSRP)	$74 (0.6x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i3-10100F has 2879% better value for money than i5-2550K.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2550K and Core i3-10100F 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	4 (Quad-Core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	4	8
Base clock speed	3.4 GHz	3.6 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.8 GHz	4.3 GHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	256 KB
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	1 MB
L3 cache	6144 KB (shared)	6 MB
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Die size	216 mm2	126 mm2
Maximum core temperature	73 °C	100 °C
Number of transistors	1160 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	+
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2550K and Core i3-10100F 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	FCLGA1155,LGA1155	FCLGA1200
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-10100F. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	-	+
TSX	no data	-
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
SIPP	no data	-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	-
FDI	-	no data
Fast Memory Access	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Launched

Security technologies

Core i5-2550K and Core i3-10100F technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-10100F are enumerated here.

VT-d	-	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-10100F. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR4
Maximum memory size	32 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	21 GB/s	41.6 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Quick Sync Video

+

no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-10100F.

PCIe version	2.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	16	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.

---

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 i3-10100F outperforms Core i5-2550K by 112% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	2.67	5.67
Threads	4	8
Cost	$189	$122
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	65 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2550K and Core i3-10100F, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

---