i3-550 vs Xeon E5-2666 V3

Aggregate performance score

Xeon E5-2666 V3
2014
10 cores / 20 threads, 135 Watt
8.93
+784%
Core i3-550
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
1.01

Xeon E5-2666 V3 outperforms Core i3-550 by a whopping 784% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon E5-2666 V3 and Core i3-550 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking8582448
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.11
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
Power efficiency6.261.31
Architecture codenameHaswell-EP (2014−2015)Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Release date13 November 2014 (10 years ago)30 May 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$101

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Xeon E5-2666 V3 and Core i3-550 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads204
Base clock speed2.9 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus rateno data2.5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache25 MB (shared)4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size356 mm281 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data73 °C
Number of transistors2,600 million382 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibilityno data-

Compatibility

Information on Xeon E5-2666 V3 and Core i3-550 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 configuration21
Socket2011-3FCLGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)135 Watt73 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon E5-2666 V3 and Core i3-550. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technologyno data-
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
PAEno data36 Bit
FDIno data+

Security technologies

Xeon E5-2666 V3 and Core i3-550 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDBno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon E5-2666 V3 and Core i3-550 are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon E5-2666 V3 and Core i3-550. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channelDDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data16.38 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors
Clear Video HDno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Xeon E5-2666 V3 and Core i3-550 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon E5-2666 V3 and Core i3-550.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes4016

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.

Xeon E5-2666 V3 8.93
+784%
i3-550 1.01

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.

Xeon E5-2666 V3 14191
+781%
i3-550 1611

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 8.93 1.01
Recency 13 November 2014 30 May 2010
Physical cores 10 2
Threads 20 4
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 135 Watt 73 Watt

Xeon E5-2666 V3 has a 784.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, 400% more physical cores and 400% more threads, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

i3-550, on the other hand, has 84.9% lower power consumption.

The Xeon E5-2666 V3 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-550 in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon E5-2666 V3 is a server/workstation processor while Core i3-550 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon E5-2666 V3 and Core i3-550, 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 Xeon E5-2666 V3
Xeon E5-2666 V3
Intel Core i3-550
Core i3-550

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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