i7-10700KF vs i5-3550

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-3550
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 77 Watt
3.12
Core i7-10700KF
2020
8 cores / 16 threads, 125 Watt
12.06
+287%

i7-10700KF outperforms i5-3550 by a whopping 287% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-3550 and Core i7-10700KF processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking1603643
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.50no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5 (Desktop)no data
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Comet Lake (2020)
Release date23 April 2012 (12 years ago)30 April 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$205no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-3550 and Core i7-10700KF 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads416
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.8 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz5.1 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s8 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB256K (per core)
L3 cache6 MB16 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm14 nm
Die size160 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature67 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °C72 °C
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-3550 and Core i7-10700KF 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA1200
Power consumption (TDP)77 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-3550 and Core i7-10700KF. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
FDI+no data
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i5-3550 and Core i7-10700KF technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key++
Identity Protection++
SGXno dataYes with Intel® ME
OS Guardno data+
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-3550 and Core i7-10700KF are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-3550 and Core i7-10700KF. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4-2933
Maximum memory size32 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s45.8 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2500no data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-3550 and Core i7-10700KF integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-3550 and Core i7-10700KF.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

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.

i5-3550 3.12
i7-10700KF 12.06
+287%

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.

i5-3550 4810
i7-10700KF 18595
+287%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i5-3550 638
i7-10700KF 1735
+172%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i5-3550 1903
i7-10700KF 8254
+334%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.12 12.06
Recency 23 April 2012 30 April 2020
Physical cores 4 8
Threads 4 16
Chip lithography 22 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 77 Watt 125 Watt

i5-3550 has 62.3% lower power consumption.

i7-10700KF, on the other hand, has a 286.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 8 years, 100% more physical cores and 300% more threads, and a 57.1% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i7-10700KF is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-3550 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-3550 and Core i7-10700KF, 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.


Intel Core i5-3550
Core i5-3550
Intel Core i7-10700KF
Core i7-10700KF

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

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


3.8 623 votes

Rate Core i5-3550 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.5 672 votes

Rate Core i7-10700KF on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-3550 or Core i7-10700KF, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.