Intel Atom C2538 vs Intel Core i5-3550

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Atom C2538 or Intel Atom C2538 – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Atom C2538 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2013 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Atom series.
To use the Intel Atom C2538, you'll need a motherboard with a BGA 1283 socket.
The Intel Core i5-3550 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2012 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-3550, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
3 Generation 3
Intel Atom Family Intel Core i5
Intel Atom C2000 Group Intel Core i 3000
Intel Atom C2538 Name Intel Core i5-3550
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Atom C2538 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Atom C2538 is 2.4 GHz
The Intel Core i5-3550 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-3550 is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.7 GHz.
4 Threads 4
normal Core architecture normal
No Hyperthreading No
4 CPU Cores 4
4x Cores 4x
None None 3.7 GHz
No Overclocking No
2.4 GHz Frequency 3.3 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Atom C2538 does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i5-3550 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-3550 uses the Intel HD Graphics 2500, which has 48 texture shaders
and 6 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- Generation 7
-- Shaders 48
-- Max. displays --
-- GPU frequency 0.65 GHz
-- GPU (Turbo) 1.15 GHz
-- Execution units 6
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Direct X 11.0
-- Technology 22 nm
GPU name Intel HD Graphics 2500
-- Release date Q2/2012
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- AVC Decode / Encode
-- AV1 No
-- VP8 No
-- JPEG Decode
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
-- VP9 No
-- VC-1 Decode
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
64.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
pci PCIe pci
DDR3L-1600, DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3-1600
Yes AES-NI Yes
Yes ECC No
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 15 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 77 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
15 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 77 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Atom C2538 is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-3550 is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
-- Part Number --
BGA 1283 Socket LGA 1155
104 $ Release price 213 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
2.0 MB L2-Cache 0 bytes
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
Avoton Architecture Ivy Bridge S
0 bytes L3-Cache 6.0 MB
22 nm Technology 22 nm
Q3/2013 Release date Q2/2012