Intel Core i5-3550 vs Intel Core i3-2120

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i5-3550 or Intel Core i5-3550 – 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 i5-3550 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.
The Intel Core i3-2120 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 i3-2120, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
3 Generation 2
Intel Core i5 Family Intel Core i3
Intel Core i 3000 Group Intel Core i 2000
Intel Core i5-3550 Name Intel Core i3-2120
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

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.
The Intel Core i3-2120 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-2120 is 3.3 GHz
4 CPU Cores 2
4 Threads 4
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
3.3 GHz Frequency 3.3 GHz
4x Cores 2x
normal Core architecture normal
No Overclocking No
No Hyperthreading Yes
 
 

Internal 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.
The Intel Core i3-2120 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-2120 uses the Intel HD Graphics 2000, which has 48 texture shaders
7 Generation 6
Q2/2012 Release date Q1/2011
-- Max. displays --
6 Execution units 6
48 Shaders 48
1.15 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.1 GHz
0.65 GHz GPU frequency 0.85 GHz
22 nm Technology 32 nm
Intel HD Graphics 2500 GPU name Intel HD Graphics 2000
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
11.0 Direct X 10.1
 
 

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

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 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 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 2
32.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3-1333
Yes AES-NI Yes
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 21.3 GB/s
No ECC No
pci PCIe pci
 
 

Thermal Management

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

Technical details

The Intel Core i5-3550 is manufactured using a 22 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 Intel Core i3-2120 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 3.0 MB cache.
Q2/2012 Release date Q1/2011
Ivy Bridge S Architecture Sandy Bridge S
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
6.0 MB L3-Cache 3.0 MB
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
22 nm Technology 32 nm
LGA 1155 Socket LGA 1155
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
213 $ Release price 120 $
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes