Intel Core i3-2100 vs Intel Core i5-3550

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i3-2100 or Intel Core i3-2100 – 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 Core i3-2100 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-2100, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 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.
2 Generation 3
Intel Core i3-2100 Name Intel Core i5-3550
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i 2000 Group Intel Core i 3000
Intel Core i3 Family Intel Core i5
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i3-2100 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-2100 is 3.1 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.
No Overclocking No
3.1 GHz Frequency 3.3 GHz
normal Core architecture normal
None None 3.7 GHz
4 Threads 4
2 CPU Cores 4
2x Cores 4x
Yes Hyperthreading No
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i3-2100 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-2100 uses the Intel HD Graphics 2000, 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.
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
1.1 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.15 GHz
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Max. displays --
6 Execution units 6
Q1/2011 Release date Q2/2012
10.1 Direct X 11.0
32 nm Technology 22 nm
0.85 GHz GPU frequency 0.65 GHz
48 Shaders 48
Intel HD Graphics 2000 GPU name Intel HD Graphics 2500
6 Generation 7
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

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

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.
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode / Encode AVC Decode / Encode
No VP9 No
No JPEG Decode
No VP8 No
Decode VC-1 Decode
No AV1 No
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 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.
2 Memory channels 2
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
32.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
No ECC No
pci PCIe pci
DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR3-1600
Yes AES-NI Yes
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 65 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.
65 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 77 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i3-2100 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 3.0 MB cache.
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.
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
LGA 1155 Socket LGA 1155
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
Q1/2011 Release date Q2/2012
120 $ Release price 213 $
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
32 nm Technology 22 nm
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Ivy Bridge S
-- Part Number --
3.0 MB L3-Cache 6.0 MB
512.0 KB L2-Cache 0 bytes