Intel Core i3-10110U vs Intel Core i5-3550S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fascinating split between these two Intel processors. The Intel Core i3-10110U and the Intel Core i5-3550S each claim victories in different test suites, and the margins tell a compelling story about their respective strengths. The i5-3550S wins five of the eight recorded head-to-head tests, while the i3-10110U takes three, but the magnitude of those wins varies dramatically.

Starting with multi-core workloads, the Intel Core i5-3550S establishes a consistent lead across all three Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3550S scores 383 against the i3-10110U's 326, a delta of -14.9% from the perspective of the i3. The pattern continues in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-3550S posts 1599 versus 1359, a -15% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the same story: 3808 for the i5-3550S against 3236 for the i3-10110U, again a -15% gap. These results indicate that the older desktop chip's four physical cores provide a substantial advantage in sustained multi-threaded rendering tasks, roughly 15% ahead of the mobile chip in every Cinebench multi-core test.

The single-core Cinebench results, however, reveal a more nuanced picture. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i3-10110U wins decisively with a score of 162 versus a surprisingly low 54 for the i5-3550S, a massive 200% delta. This is an outlier worth examining. The i5-3550S's single-core score in R15 appears anomalously low compared to its other single-core results. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3550S actually wins 225 to 191, a -15.1% delta against the i3. Cinebench R23 single-core follows suit, with the i5-3550S scoring 537 versus 456, again a -15.1% delta. So while the R15 single-core result heavily favors the i3-10110U, the more recent Cinebench versions consistently favor the i5-3550S by about 15%.

The Geekbench tests flip the script entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-10110U scores 2143 against the i5-3550S's 1716, a substantial 24.9% advantage. The single-core Geekbench test is even more lopsided: 1174 for the i3-10110U versus 623 for the i5-3550S, an 88.4% delta. These results suggest that the i3-10110U's architecture and higher boost clock (4.10 GHz versus 3.70 GHz) deliver significantly better performance in Geekbench's workload patterns, particularly in single-threaded scenarios.

The average benchmark scores place these chips very close together: the i3-10110U averages 1131, while the i5-3550S averages 1118. Their percentile rankings among all CPUs are similarly tight, at 32 and 31 respectively. The nearest rivals for the i3-10110U include the Intel Processor N97 (avg score 1132, delta 0%), the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 (avg score 1130, delta 0.1%), and the Intel Core i3-4370 (avg score 1130, delta 0.1%). The i5-3550S's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-4150 (avg score 1119, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i7-2860QM (avg score 1120, delta -0.1%), and the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (avg score 1116, delta 0.2%). These proximity values indicate that both processors sit in a similar performance tier, despite their very different ages and architectures.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. The Intel Core i5-3550S is the stronger choice for Cinebench-style rendering workloads, winning four of the six Cinebench tests (all multi-core, plus R20 and R23 single-core) with a consistent 15% margin. Its four physical cores provide a tangible benefit in multi-threaded rendering, and its single-core performance in the more recent Cinebench versions is also superior.

The Intel Core i3-10110U, however, dominates Geekbench, winning both the multi-core and single-core tests by margins of 24.9% and 88.4% respectively. This suggests that for workloads that resemble Geekbench's mixed integer and floating-point tasks, the newer Comet Lake architecture with its higher boost clock offers a significant advantage.

Considering the overall average benchmark scores, the two processors are nearly identical: 1131 for the i3-10110U versus 1118 for the i5-3550S, a difference of just over 1%. Their percentile rankings differ by only one point (32 versus 31). Neither chip has a launch MSRP recorded in the database, so no pricing comparison is possible.

The safest verdict is that the i5-3550S is preferable for users whose primary workloads are Cinebench-like render tasks, while the i3-10110U is better suited for general-purpose computing that aligns with Geekbench patterns. The i5-3550S's 6 MB of L3 cache versus the i3-10110U's 4 MB may contribute to its Cinebench strength, while the i3's higher boost clock and newer process node likely help in Geekbench.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3550S wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core (383 vs 326), Cinebench R20 multi-core (1599 vs 1359), Cinebench R23 multi-core (3808 vs 3236), Cinebench R20 single-core (225 vs 191), and Cinebench R23 single-core (537 vs 456). This means the i5-3550S is the better choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and any workload that scales with multiple physical cores. Its four cores and 6 MB of shared L3 cache provide a foundation that the i3-10110U's two cores and 4 MB cache cannot match in these sustained compute tasks.

The Intel Core i3-10110U wins in Cinebench R15 single-core (162 vs 54, a 200% margin), Geekbench multi-core (2143 vs 1716, a 24.9% margin), and Geekbench single-core (1174 vs 623, an 88.4% margin). The Geekbench victories are particularly noteworthy because they show the i3-10110U outperforming the i5-3550S in both single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios within that benchmark suite. This suggests the i3-10110U excels in everyday computing tasks, web browsing, office applications, and light productivity work that Geekbench models.

The i3-10110U is a mobile processor with a 25 W TDP, while the i5-3550S is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP. The i3's lower power draw and newer 14 nm process (versus 22 nm for the i5) make it better suited for laptops and compact systems. The i5-3550S, with its Socket 1155 and desktop form factor, is more appropriate for stationary builds where power consumption is less of a concern.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-3550S scores 3808 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i3-10110U scores 3236. The i5-3550S is 15% ahead in this test.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Geekbench single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110U scores 1174 in Geekbench single-core, versus 623 for the Intel Core i5-3550S. This represents an 88.4% advantage for the i3-10110U.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110U has an average benchmark score of 1131, while the Intel Core i5-3550S has an average benchmark score of 1118. The i3-10110U also ranks at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs, slightly above the i5-3550S's 31st percentile.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-3550S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i3-10110U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The i5-3550S's additional physical cores contribute to its Cinebench multi-core wins.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-10110U has a TDP of 25 W, while the Intel Core i5-3550S has a TDP of 65 W. The i3-10110U is designed for mobile use with lower power draw.

Q: In how many head-to-head benchmark tests does each processor win?

A: The Intel Core i5-3550S wins 5 of the 8 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i3-10110U wins 3. The i5-3550S wins all Cinebench tests except R15 single-core, while the i3-10110U wins all Geekbench tests plus Cinebench R15 single-core.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of Intel's design philosophy. The Intel Core i3-10110U is built on the Comet Lake architecture, specifically Comet Lake-U, using a 14 nm process node. It belongs to the Core 10th Gen series and was released on August 20, 2019. The Intel Core i5-3550S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node and was released on April 28, 2012, making it a much older design.

The i3-10110U features 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-3550S offers 4 cores and 4 threads. Both have identical L1 cache (64 KB per core) and L2 cache (256 KB per core), but the L3 cache differs: the i3-10110U has 4 MB shared, while the i5-3550S has 6 MB shared. The larger L3 cache on the i5-3550S likely helps in multi-threaded rendering workloads.

The i3-10110U is a mobile processor with a socket of Intel BGA 1440, while the i5-3550S is a desktop processor with Intel Socket 1155. The i3-10110U's integrated graphics are UHD Graphics, whereas the i5-3550S uses Intel HD 2500. Both support DDR3 memory, but the i3-10110U additionally supports DDR4. The i5-3550S has dual-channel memory support and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the PCIe configuration for the i3-10110U is not recorded.

The i5-3550S has a recorded transistor count of 1,400 million and a die size of 160 mm², while these figures are not available for the i3-10110U. The i5-3550S also has a part number (SR0P3), while the i3-10110U does not have a recorded part number. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The core specifications differ substantially between the two processors. The Intel Core i3-10110U has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-3550S has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The i3-10110U has a higher boost clock, which contributes to its Geekbench single-core advantage, while the i5-3550S has a higher base clock.

The TDP is one of the most significant differences: the i3-10110U draws 25 W, while the i5-3550S draws 65 W. The i3-10110U is clearly designed for power-efficient mobile systems, while the i5-3550S is a desktop part with higher power consumption.

Memory support differs as well: the i3-10110U supports both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-3550S supports only DDR3. The i5-3550S has dual-channel memory bus support, while the memory bus configuration for the i3-10110U is not recorded.

The process nodes also differ: the i3-10110U uses a 14 nm process, while the i5-3550S uses a 22 nm process. The i3-10110U is part of the Core 10th Gen series with a Comet Lake-U codename, while the i5-3550S is an Ivy Bridge design. Both are Intel processors, but the i3-10110U has no recorded transistor count or die size, while the i5-3550S has 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die.

The i3-10110U has an end-of-life production status, while the production status of the i5-3550S is not recorded. The i3-10110U is classified as a mobile market segment processor, while the i5-3550S is a desktop processor. Neither chip has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.