Intel Core i7-870 vs Intel Core i3-550

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-870 or Intel Core i7-870 – 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 i7-870 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-870, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1156 socket.
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.
Intel Core i7 800 Group Intel Core i3 500
1 Generation 1
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-870 Name Intel Core i3-550
Intel Core i7 Family Intel Core i3
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-870 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-870 is 2.93 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.6 GHz.
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
8 Threads 4
4x Cores 2x
4 CPU Cores 2
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
No Overclocking No
3.6 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
2.93 GHz Frequency 3.2 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-870 does not have integrated graphics.
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.
-- Shaders 24
-- Release date Q1/2010
-- Technology 32 nm
-- Direct X 10.1
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units 12
-- GPU frequency 0.5 GHz
-- Generation 5
-- GPU (Turbo) 0.73 GHz
GPU name Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
 
 

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

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 16.0 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 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.
pci PCIe pci
No AES-NI No
DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
No ECC Yes
16.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth 21.0 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 73 W watts.
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 73 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-870 is manufactured using a 45 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i3-550 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
Q2/2010 Release date Q2/2010
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
SSE4.1, SSE4.2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
45 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
-- Release price 117 $
Lynnfield Architecture Clarkdale
8.0 MB L3-Cache 4.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 1156 Socket LGA 1156
1.0 MB L2-Cache 512.0 KB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz
2124
2124
Intel Core i3-550
2C 4T @ 3.2 GHz
1170
1170

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz
1541
1541
Intel Core i3-550
2C 4T @ 3.2 GHz
992
992

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz
1414
1414
Intel Core i3-550
2C 4T @ 3.2 GHz
717
717

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz
574
574
Intel Core i3-550
2C 4T @ 3.2 GHz
489
489

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i3-550
2C 4T @ 3.2 GHz
505
505
Intel Core i7-870
4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz
481
481