Core i7-860S vs Core i5-3550
Aggregate performance score
i5-3550 outperforms i7-860S by a whopping 112% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i5-3550 and Core i7-860S processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 1585 | 2125 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 0.50 | 0.04 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Desktop processor |
| Series | Intel Core i5 (Desktop) | no data |
| Architecture codename | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Lynnfield (2009−2010) |
| Release date | 23 April 2012 (12 years ago) | 7 January 2010 (14 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $205 | $422 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
i5-3550 has 1150% better value for money than i7-860S.
Detailed specifications
Core i5-3550 and Core i7-860S 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 | 3.3 GHz | 2.533 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.7 GHz | 3.46 GHz |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |
| L2 cache | 1 MB | 256 KB (per core) |
| L3 cache | 6 MB | 8 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 22 nm | 45 nm |
| Die size | 160 mm2 | 296 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | 67 °C | no data |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 67 °C | no data |
| Number of transistors | 1,400 million | 774 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |
Compatibility
Information on Core i5-3550 and Core i7-860S 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 | 1156 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 77 Watt | 82 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-3550 and Core i7-860S. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | no data |
| AVX | + | no data |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
Security technologies
Core i5-3550 and Core i7-860S technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | + | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-3550 and Core i7-860S are enumerated here.
| VT-d | + | no data |
| VT-x | + | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-3550 and Core i7-860S. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR3 | DDR3 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 21 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | - | - |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Intel HD Graphics 2500 | no data |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-3550 and Core i7-860S.
| PCIe version | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 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.
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.
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.
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.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 3.11 | 1.47 |
| Recency | 23 April 2012 | 7 January 2010 |
| Threads | 4 | 8 |
| Chip lithography | 22 nm | 45 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 77 Watt | 82 Watt |
i5-3550 has a 111.6% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, a 104.5% more advanced lithography process, and 6.5% lower power consumption.
i7-860S, on the other hand, has 100% more threads.
The Core i5-3550 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-860S in performance tests.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-3550 and Core i7-860S, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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