Intel Core i3-550 vs Intel Core i7-960

Intel Core i3-550 or Intel Core i3-550 – 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 i3-550 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-550, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1156 socket.
The Intel Core i7-960 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2009 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-960, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1366 socket.

The Intel Core i3-550 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-550 is 3.2 GHz
The Intel Core i7-960 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-960 is 3.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.46 GHz.

The Intel Core i3-550 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-550 uses the Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), which has 24 texture shaders
and 12 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i7-960 does not have integrated graphics.

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.

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 16.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.0 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 24.0 GB distributed across 3 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 has a thermal design power (TDP) of 73 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 130 W watts.

The Intel Core i3-550 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 4.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i7-960 is manufactured using a 45 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.