Intel Core i3-4150 vs Intel Core i5-2550K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins most of the head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i5-2550K wins 6 out of 7 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The only test won by the Intel Core i3-4150 is Geekbench single-core, where it scores 968 versus 697 for the i5-2550K, a 28% advantage.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap between the two chips?

A: Across Cinebench multi-core tests, the i5-2550K leads by roughly 25.6% to 25.9%. Specific scores: Cinebench R15 multi-core is 365 versus 290 (25.9% delta), R20 multi-core is 1523 versus 1212 (25.7%), and R23 multi-core is 3628 versus 2888 (25.6%).

Q: Does the i3-4150 have any meaningful single-core advantage beyond Geekbench?

A: No. The i3-4150 wins only Geekbench single-core. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-2550K scores 215 against 170 (26.5% delta), and in R23 single-core it scores 512 against 407 (25.8% delta). The i3's Geekbench win does not carry over to Cinebench single-threaded tests.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The i5-2550K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-4150 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Both support dual-channel DDR3 memory with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The i3-4150 has a base clock of 3.50 GHz, which is slightly higher than the i5-2550K's 3.40 GHz. However, the i5-2550K offers a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, whereas the i3-4150 has no boost capability.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. Both are end-of-life products. The i5-2550K was released in January 2012 with a launch MSRP of $235, and the i3-4150 was released in April 2014 with a launch MSRP of $117.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-2550K and Intel Core i3-4150 represent two distinct Intel microarchitectures separated by a generation. The i5-2550K is built on Sandy Bridge, while the i3-4150 uses Haswell. This architectural divide explains several structural differences.

The process node differs: the i5-2550K uses 32 nm fabrication, whereas the i3-4150 uses a smaller 22 nm process. Transistor counts reflect this: the i5-2550K packs 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die, while the i3-4150 contains 1,400 million transistors on a smaller 177 mm² die. The newer Haswell design achieves higher transistor density despite fewer physical cores.

Core topology is the most significant architectural split. The i5-2550K has 4 physical cores with 4 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. The i3-4150 has 2 physical cores but supports 4 threads via hyper-threading. This means the i3-4150 can process four threads concurrently, but with only two execution engines, while the i5-2550K dedicates four full physical cores to its four threads.

Cache allocation differs substantially. The i5-2550K has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-4150 has only 3 MB. Both share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache sizes, but the i5's larger L3 gives it a meaningful advantage in workloads that benefit from a bigger shared pool.

Memory support is identical in type and bandwidth: both use DDR3 with dual-channel memory and 25.6 GB/s peak bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory, and both are desktop parts.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation. The i5-2550K uses PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i3-4150 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The newer PCIe standard on the i3-4150 offers higher per-lane bandwidth, which matters for GPU and NVMe connectivity in compatible systems.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i5-2550K has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output. The i3-4150 includes Intel HD 4400, allowing basic display output without a separate graphics card.

Socket compatibility is not shared: the i5-2550K uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i3-4150 uses Intel Socket 1150. These are not interchangeable, meaning motherboard choice is dictated by the processor.

The multiplier is unlocked on the i5-2550K, enabling overclocking via clock multiplier adjustments. The i3-4150 has a locked multiplier, preventing such adjustments. The i5's TDP is 95 watts, while the i3-4150 draws a lower 54 watts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear overall winner, but the distribution of wins is worth examining closely. The i5-2550K dominates six of seven tests, with margins ranging from 10.5% to 26.5%. The i3-4150 claims a single victory in Geekbench single-core, and that win is substantial.

In Cinebench multi-core tests, the i5-2550K's physical core advantage becomes evident. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 365 versus the i3's 290, a 25.9% delta. R20 multi-core shows 1523 against 1212, a 25.7% gap. R23 multi-core follows the same pattern: 3628 versus 2888, a 25.6% delta. These consistent margins across three Cinebench versions indicate that the i5's four physical cores provide a durable advantage in heavily threaded rendering workloads.

Single-core Cinebench results also favor the i5-2550K, despite the i3-4150's higher base clock. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5 scores 215 versus 170, a 26.5% delta. R23 single-core shows 512 against 407, a 25.8% delta. This suggests that the i5-2550K's boost clock of 3.80 GHz, combined with its older but higher-power architecture, delivers better single-threaded Cinebench performance than the i3-4150's 3.50 GHz fixed clock.

Geekbench tells a more nuanced story. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-2550K wins 2096 to 1896, a 10.5% delta. This is a smaller margin than the Cinebench multi-core tests, likely because Geekbench's multi-threaded workload scales differently across core counts and hyper-threading. The i3-4150's hyper-threading allows it to close some of the gap in this particular test.

The single Geekbench single-core result flips the script entirely. The i3-4150 scores 968, while the i5-2550K scores 697, giving the i3 a 28% advantage. This is the largest delta in either direction across all benchmarks. The newer Haswell architecture appears to have a significant per-clock IPC advantage in this specific workload, and the i3's higher base clock reinforces that.

The average benchmark scores place both processors close together in the database's overall ranking. The i5-2550K has an average benchmark score of 1136, while the i3-4150 sits at 1119. Both occupy the 32nd percentile among all CPUs. The i5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-3570T (matching 1136, 0% delta) and the Intel Xeon E5640 (1137, -0.1% delta). The i3's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-2860QM (1120, -0.1% delta) and the Intel Core i5-3550S (1118, 0.1% delta).

The Verdict

The data points decisively toward the Intel Core i5-2550K as the stronger all-around performer. It wins six of seven benchmarks, including every Cinebench test and Geekbench multi-core. Its margins are substantial: 25.6% to 26.5% in Cinebench tests and 10.5% in Geekbench multi-core. For users prioritizing rendering, encoding, or any workload that scales with multiple physical cores, the i5-2550K is the clear choice.

However, the i3-4150 is not without merit. Its 28% victory in Geekbench single-core suggests that for certain lightly threaded tasks, particularly those sensitive to per-clock IPC, the newer Haswell architecture delivers superior performance. The i3 also offers integrated graphics, a lower 54 watt TDP, and PCIe Gen 3 support, which the i5 lacks.

The choice depends on workload priorities. If sustained multi-threaded performance and overclocking headroom matter most, the i5-2550K's four physical cores and unlocked multiplier make it the stronger candidate. If single-threaded Geekbench performance, integrated graphics, and lower power consumption are the primary concerns, the i3-4150 has clear advantages.

Both processors are end-of-life, and both sit at the 32nd percentile in the database's overall rankings. The i5-2550K's average benchmark score of 1136 edges out the i3-4150's 1119 by a small margin, reflecting the i5's broader wins despite the i3's single large victory.

Specification Differences

• Cores: 4 (i5-2550K) versus 2 (i3-4150)
• Threads: 4 (i5-2550K) versus 4 (i3-4150)
• Base Clock: 3.40 GHz (i5-2550K) versus 3.50 GHz (i3-4150)
• Boost Clock: 3.80 GHz (i5-2550K) versus None (i3-4150)
• TDP: 95 W (i5-2550K) versus 54 W (i3-4150)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1155 (i5-2550K) versus Intel Socket 1150 (i3-4150)
• Architecture: Sandy Bridge (i5-2550K) versus Haswell (i3-4150)
• Process Node: 32 nm (i5-2550K) versus 22 nm (i3-4150)
• Transistors: 1,160 million (i5-2550K) versus 1,400 million (i3-4150)
• Die Size: 216 mm² (i5-2550K) versus 177 mm² (i3-4150)
• L3 Cache: 6 MB shared (i5-2550K) versus 3 MB shared (i3-4150)
• PCIe: Gen 2, 16 lanes (i5-2550K) versus Gen 3, 16 lanes (i3-4150)
• Integrated Graphics: None (i5-2550K) versus Intel HD 4400 (i3-4150)
• Multiplier Unlocked: Yes (i5-2550K) versus No (i3-4150)
• Release Date: January 2012 (i5-2550K) versus April 2014 (i3-4150)
• Launch MSRP: $235 (i5-2550K) versus $117 (i3-4150)
• Part Number: SR0QH (i5-2550K) versus SR1PJ (i3-4150)

Identical specifications include DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, no ECC support, and Desktop market segment.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i5-2550K wins in:

• All Cinebench multi-core tests, with deltas of 25.9% (R15), 25.7% (R20), and 25.6% (R23).
• All Cinebench single-core tests, with deltas of 26.5% (R20) and 25.8% (R23).
• Geekbench multi-core, scoring 2096 versus 1896, a 10.5% delta.
• Scenarios requiring four physical cores, larger 6 MB L3 cache, or overclocking via an unlocked multiplier.
• Workloads where the 3.80 GHz boost clock can be sustained across multiple threads.

Intel Core i3-4150 wins in:

• Geekbench single-core, scoring 968 versus 697, a 28% delta. This is the largest margin of any benchmark in the comparison.
• Scenarios where integrated graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU.
• Power-constrained builds, given its 54 W TDP versus the i5's 95 W.
• Systems using PCIe Gen 3 devices, which benefit from the newer interface.
• Lightly threaded applications that align with Haswell's per-clock IPC advantage as reflected in Geekbench single-core.