Xeon E3-1220 v2 vs i5-3550

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-3550
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 77 Watt
3.03
+2.7%
Xeon E3-1220 v2
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 69 Watt
2.95

Core i5-3550 outperforms Xeon E3-1220 v2 by a minimal 3% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-3550 and Xeon E3-1220 v2 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking16291645
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.471.42
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesIntel Core i5 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency3.724.05
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date29 April 2012 (12 years ago)14 May 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$205$220

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon E3-1220 v2 has 202% better value for money than i5-3550.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-3550 and Xeon E3-1220 v2 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz3.5 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm22 nm
Die size160 mm2160 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,400 million1,400 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-3550 and Xeon E3-1220 v2 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
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)77 Watt69 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-3550 and Xeon E3-1220 v2. 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® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology--
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data+
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i5-3550 and Xeon E3-1220 v2 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key+no data
Identity Protection++
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-3550 and Xeon E3-1220 v2 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-3550 and Xeon E3-1220 v2. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32.77 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

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 Xeon E3-1220 v2 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-3550 and Xeon E3-1220 v2.

PCIe version3.03.0

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 3.03
+2.7%
Xeon E3-1220 v2 2.95

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 4811
+2.8%
Xeon E3-1220 v2 4678

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 641
+9%
Xeon E3-1220 v2 588

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 1910
+4.3%
Xeon E3-1220 v2 1832

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.03 2.95
Power consumption (TDP) 77 Watt 69 Watt

i5-3550 has a 2.7% higher aggregate performance score.

Xeon E3-1220 v2, on the other hand, has 11.6% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i5-3550 and Xeon E3-1220 v2.

Note that Core i5-3550 is a desktop processor while Xeon E3-1220 v2 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-3550 and Xeon E3-1220 v2, 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 Xeon E3-1220 v2
Xeon E3-1220 v2

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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