Intel Core i5-2550k vs AMD Ryzen 5 3500U

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i5-2550k or Intel Core i5-2550k – 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 i5-2550k features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2012 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-2550k, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2019 and belongs to the 2 generation of the AMD Ryzen 5 series.
To use the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, you'll need a motherboard with a FP5 socket.
Intel Core i 2000 Group AMD Ryzen 3000U
2 Generation 2
Desktop / Server Segment Mobile
Intel Core i5-2550k Name AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
Intel Core i5 Family AMD Ryzen 5
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i5-2550k has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-2550k is 3.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.8 GHz.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U is 2.1 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.7 GHz.
4 Threads 8
4x Cores 4x
4 CPU Cores 4
normal Core architecture normal
No Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking No
3.8 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.7 GHz
3.4 GHz Frequency 2.1 GHz
None None 3.0 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i5-2550k does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U uses the AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics, which has 512 texture shaders
and 8 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
-- Shaders 512
-- Release date Q1/2018
-- Technology 14 nm
-- Direct X 12
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units 8
-- GPU frequency 1.2 GHz
-- Generation 8
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics
 
 

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.
-- VP8 Decode / Encode
-- VC-1 Decode
-- JPEG Decode / Encode
-- AV1 No
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
-- AVC Decode / Encode
-- h264 Decode / Encode
-- VP9 Decode / Encode
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) 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 38.4 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR4-2400
No ECC Yes
32.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth 38.4 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 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 15 W watts.
None TDP down 12 W
None TDP up 35 W
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 15 W
-- Tjunction max 105 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i5-2550k 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 6.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U is manufactured using a 12 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
Q1/2012 Release date Q1/2019
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2
32 nm Technology 12 nm
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
235 $ Release price --
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Picasso (Zen+)
6.0 MB L3-Cache 4.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 1155 Socket FP5
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
4C 8T @ 2.1 GHz
2907
2907
Intel Core i5-2550k
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
2010
2010

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2550k
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
2611
2611
AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
4C 8T @ 2.1 GHz
2579
2579

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
4C 8T @ 2.1 GHz
976
976
Intel Core i5-2550k
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
664
664