Intel Core i3-1115GRE vs Intel Core i5-2550K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a surprisingly one-sided contest. Despite the Intel Core i5-2550K having twice the core count of the Intel Core i3-1115GRE, the newer mobile chip wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons. The i3-1115GRE takes every Cinebench test, from R15 through R23, in both single-core and multi-core workloads.

The margins are consistent, hovering around 7% in favor of the i3-1115GRE. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-2550K scores 365 against the i3-1115GRE's 392, a delta of -6.9%. Single-core R15 shows a similar pattern: 51 versus 55, a -7.3% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i3-1115GRE posts 1637 in multi-core versus 1523 for the i5-2550K (-7%), and 231 versus 215 in single-core (-6.9%). The R23 results continue the trend: 3899 versus 3628 in multi-core (-7%) and 550 versus 512 in single-core (-6.9%).

What makes this notable is the architectural gap. The i5-2550K is a quad-core desktop part from the Sandy Bridge generation, while the i3-1115GRE is a dual-core mobile processor from Tiger Lake. The i5-2550K's two extra physical cores do not translate into a multi-core advantage. The i3-1115GRE's newer architecture, with its higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz against 3.80 GHz, delivers superior per-thread performance that more than compensates for the core deficit.

The single-core results are particularly telling. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i3-1115GRE scores 550, which is 7.4% higher than the i5-2550K's 512. This is a substantial generational leap in IPC (instructions per clock). The i5-2550K, despite its unlocked multiplier and higher base clock of 3.40 GHz, cannot match the efficiency of the Willow Cove cores in the i3-1115GRE.

The average benchmark scores place both processors in the same percentile bracket. The i5-2550K has an average score of 1136, while the i3-1115GRE sits at 1127, a negligible difference of under 1%. Both occupy the 32nd percentile against all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the i5-2550K include the Intel Core i5-3570T at an identical 1136, the Intel Xeon E5640 at 1137 (-0.1%), the Intel Core i3-N300 at 1135 (0.1%), and the AMD Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE at 1138 (-0.2%). For the i3-1115GRE, the closest competitors are the Intel Core i5-3330S at 1128 (-0.1%), the Intel Core i7-2720QM at 1128 (-0.1%), the Intel Core i7-3612QM at 1129 (-0.2%), and the Intel Core i5-4690T at 1129 (-0.2%).

The dominance of the i3-1115GRE is absolute in this dataset: it wins all six head-to-head tests, leaving the i5-2550K with zero victories. The consistency of the 7% margin across different workload types suggests a fundamental performance advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-1115GRE wins every single-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 550 versus 512 for the i5-2550K, a 7.4% advantage. The R20 and R15 single-core tests show similar gaps of 6.9% and 7.3% respectively.

Q: Does the i5-2550K's quad-core design beat the i3-1115GRE in multi-core workloads?

A: No. Despite having four cores versus two, the i5-2550K loses all three multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i3-1115GRE scores 3899 against 3628 for the i5-2550K, a 7% difference. The i3-1115GRE's architectural efficiency overcomes the core count disadvantage.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark standing?

A: Both processors occupy the 32nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The i5-2550K has an average benchmark score of 1136, while the i3-1115GRE averages 1127. Their nearest rivals in the database are separated by less than 0.2% in average score.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two?

A: The i5-2550K has a TDP of 95 watts, while the i3-1115GRE is rated at just 15 watts. This represents a massive efficiency gap, with the i3-1115GRE delivering higher performance at roughly one-sixth the thermal design power.

Q: Which processor has better memory support?

A: The i3-1115GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory, while the i5-2550K is limited to DDR3. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i5-2550K has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is listed for the i3-1115GRE.

Q: Do both processors include integrated graphics?

A: No. The i3-1115GRE includes UHD Graphics G4 with 48 execution units. The i5-2550K has no integrated graphics listed in the database, meaning it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from vastly different eras of Intel design. The i5-2550K is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, using a 32 nm process node with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. It is a desktop part designed for the Intel Socket 1155 platform. The i3-1115GRE, in contrast, uses the Tiger Lake architecture (specifically Tiger Lake-U) on a 10 nm process node with a smaller 144 mm² die size. It is a mobile processor mounted on Intel BGA 1449.

The core designs differ fundamentally. The i5-2550K packs four physical cores with four threads, while the i3-1115GRE has two physical cores with four threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. The i5-2550K does not appear to support simultaneous multithreading, as its thread count equals its core count. The i3-1115GRE, with four threads from two cores, clearly implements SMT.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The i5-2550K has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The i3-1115GRE has a larger 80 KB L1 per core and a significantly larger 1.25 MB L2 per core, also with 6 MB of shared L3. The larger L2 cache in the i3-1115GRE is a hallmark of the newer architecture, providing faster access to frequently used data without hitting main memory.

The memory controllers reflect their respective generations. The i5-2550K supports DDR3 memory, while the i3-1115GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. The i5-2550K has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s; no bandwidth figure is listed for the i3-1115GRE. The i3-1115GRE supports ECC memory, while the i5-2550K does not.

PCI Express support also differs significantly. The i5-2550K provides Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i3-1115GRE provides Gen 4 with only 4 lanes. The newer standard offers substantially higher per-lane bandwidth, which benefits storage and GPU connectivity despite the lower lane count.

The i5-2550K has an unlocked multiplier, making it a candidate for overclocking. The i3-1115GRE's multiplier is locked. The i5-2550K is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the i3-1115GRE remains active. The i5-2550K was released in January 2012, while the i3-1115GRE arrived in September 2020, a gap of over eight years.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. The i5-2550K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-1115GRE has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz for the i5-2550K versus 2.20 GHz for the i3-1115GRE. Boost clocks are closer: 3.80 GHz versus 3.90 GHz, favoring the i3-1115GRE by a small margin.

Thermal design power is the most dramatic difference. The i5-2550K is rated at 95 watts, while the i3-1115GRE draws only 15 watts. This 80-watt gap reflects the efficiency gains from the newer process node and architecture.

The socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1155 for the i5-2550K versus Intel BGA 1449 for the i3-1115GRE. The i5-2550K is a desktop part, while the i3-1115GRE is a mobile processor. Process nodes differ at 32 nm versus 10 nm. The i5-2550K has a transistor count of 1,160 million and a die size of 216 mm²; the i3-1115GRE's transistor count is not listed, but its die size is 144 mm².

Cache configurations differ in L1 and L2 sizes. The i5-2550K has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core; the i3-1115GRE has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core. Both share 6 MB L3. Memory support differs: DDR3 for the i5-2550K, DDR4 and LPDDR4X for the i3-1115GRE. ECC memory is available on the i3-1115GRE but not the i5-2550K.

PCI Express capabilities differ: Gen 2 with 16 lanes versus Gen 4 with 4 lanes. The i3-1115GRE includes integrated UHD Graphics G4 with 48 execution units; the i5-2550K has no integrated graphics listed. The i5-2550K has an unlocked multiplier; the i3-1115GRE is locked. Production status: end-of-life versus active. The i5-2550K has a launch MSRP of $235, while the i3-1115GRE has a launch MSRP of $338. Part numbers are SR0QH for the i5-2550K and SRK13 for the i3-1115GRE.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i3-1115GRE outperforms the Intel Core i5-2550K in every recorded benchmark despite having half the physical cores. The newer architecture delivers superior IPC, higher boost clocks, and dramatically better power efficiency. The i3-1115GRE wins all six head-to-head tests with a consistent margin near 7%.

For users prioritizing raw multi-core throughput, the i5-2550K's four cores might seem appealing, but the benchmark results contradict that intuition. The i3-1115GRE's 3899 score in Cinebench R23 multi-core exceeds the i5-2550K's 3628 by 271 points. The two-core design, combined with Hyper-Threading and a modern memory controller, proves more capable in practice.

The i3-1115GRE is the clear choice for workloads that benefit from single-thread performance, such as everyday desktop tasks, web browsing, and lightly threaded applications. Its 15-watt TDP also makes it suitable for compact and mobile systems where thermal management is critical. The i5-2550K, with its 95-watt TDP and end-of-life status, is a legacy desktop part that requires a discrete GPU and offers no integrated graphics.

The i5-2550K retains one advantage: its unlocked multiplier. For enthusiasts with compatible Socket 1155 motherboards, the i5-2550K can be overclocked beyond its 3.80 GHz boost clock. However, the database records no overclocked benchmark results, and the stock performance trails the i3-1115GRE consistently.

The i3-1115GRE also brings modern platform features: Gen 4 PCI Express, DDR4 or LPDDR4X memory support, ECC capability, and integrated graphics. These features make it a more versatile and forward-looking processor. The i5-2550K is limited to DDR3, Gen 2 PCIe, and requires a separate graphics card.

Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile in the database, indicating comparable overall standing among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1136 for the i5-2550K and 1127 for the i3-1115GRE. But the head-to-head results show the i3-1115GRE winning every direct comparison.

For a user building a new system today, the i3-1115GRE is the rational choice based on performance, efficiency, and platform longevity. The i5-2550K is only relevant for those with existing Socket 1155 hardware or specific overclocking goals. The benchmark data does not support choosing the i5-2550K for its core count alone, as the i3-1115GRE's architectural advantages deliver superior results across the board.