i5-3550 vs i5-7640X

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-7640X and Core i5-3550 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1322	1603
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	2.22	0.50
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i5	Intel Core i5 (Desktop)
Architecture codename	Kaby Lake-X (2017)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date	30 May 2017 (7 years ago)	23 April 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$242	$205

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-7640X has 344% better value for money than i5-3550.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-7640X and Core i5-3550 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	4
Base clock speed	4 GHz	3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed	4.2 GHz	3.7 GHz
Bus type	DMI 3.0	no data
Bus rate	4 × 8 GT/s	5 GT/s
Multiplier	40	no data
L1 cache	256 KB	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	1 MB	1 MB
L3 cache	6 MB (shared)	6 MB
Chip lithography	14 nm	22 nm
Die size	no data	160 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	67 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	67 °C
Number of transistors	no data	1,400 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-7640X and Core i5-3550 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 (Uniprocessor)	1
Socket	FCLGA2066	FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)	112 Watt	77 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-7640X and Core i5-3550. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i5-7640X and Core i5-3550 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-7640X and Core i5-3550 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-7640X and Core i5-3550. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4-2666	DDR3
Maximum memory size	64 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	42.671 GB/s	25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	HD 630	Intel HD Graphics 2500
Quick Sync Video	-	+
Clear Video HD	no data	+
Graphics max frequency	no data	1.15 GHz
InTru 3D	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-7640X and Core i5-3550 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

no data

3

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-7640X and Core i5-3550.

PCIe version	3.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	16	no data

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.

Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	4.48	3.11
Recency	30 May 2017	23 April 2012
Chip lithography	14 nm	22 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	112 Watt	77 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-7640X and Core i5-3550, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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