Intel Core i5-3550
The Intel Core i5-3550 is a fast quad-core desktop processor based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. Each core offers a base speed of 3.3 GHz, but can dynamically increase clock rates with Turbo Boost up to 3.5 GHz (for 4 active cores), 3.6 GHz (for 2 active cores) and 3.7 GHz (for 1 active core).
Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and DDR3(L)-1600 support.
The performance of the Core i5-3550 is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to slight architectural improvements. Compared to AMD's fastest desktop CPU (FX-8350), the Core i5-3550 offers significantly higher performance per thread, but features less cores (4 instead of 8). Overall, the Core i5 is still slightly faster in most applications.
The integrated Intel HD Graphics 2500 GPU offers 6 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1150 MHz with Turbo Boost. The very low performance is only sufficient for some older and less demanding games.
The total power consumption of the CPU, graphics and memory controller is specified by Intel at 77 watts (TDP).
Series | Intel Core i5 (Desktop) | ||||||||||||
Codename | Ivy Bridge | ||||||||||||
Series: Core i5 (Desktop) Ivy Bridge
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Clock Rate | 3300 - 3700 MHz | ||||||||||||
Level 2 Cache | 1 MB | ||||||||||||
Level 3 Cache | 6 MB | ||||||||||||
Number of Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | ||||||||||||
Power Consumption (TDP = Thermal Design Power) | 77 Watt | ||||||||||||
Manufacturing Technology | 22 nm | ||||||||||||
Max. Temperature | 67.4 °C | ||||||||||||
Socket | FCLGA1155 | ||||||||||||
Features | HD Graphics 2500 (650-1150), SSE 4.1/4.2, AVX, Trusted Execution, AES, Dual Channel Memory Controller DDR3-1600 (max 32GB) | ||||||||||||
GPU | Intel HD Graphics 2500 (650 - 1150 MHz) | ||||||||||||
64 Bit | 64 Bit support | ||||||||||||
Architecture | x86 | ||||||||||||
Starting Price | $205 U.S. | ||||||||||||
Announcement Date | 04/23/2012 | ||||||||||||
Product Link (external) | ark.intel.com |