Intel Core i3-4370 vs Intel Core i5-2550K Comparison

The Intel Core i5-2550K and the Intel Core i3-4370 are both older desktop processors, but the benchmark data reveals a clear and consistent winner. Across every head-to-head test, the i5-2550K outperforms the i3-4370, with margins ranging from 10.4% to 10.8%. Despite being released earlier and built on an older process node, the i5-2550K’s additional physical cores and higher power envelope deliver a decisive performance advantage in all measured workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-2550K wins all five direct comparisons, making the overall verdict unambiguous. The largest single-core victory occurs in Cinebench R20, where the i5-2550K scores 215 against the i3-4370’s 194, a delta of 10.8%. This is notable because the i3-4370 has a higher base clock of 3.80 GHz compared to the i5-2550K’s 3.40 GHz, yet the i5 still comes out ahead. The i5-2550K’s boost clock of 3.80 GHz likely compensates, but the data shows that raw clock speed alone does not determine single-threaded performance here.

Multi-core results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R15, the i5-2550K scores 365 versus 330, a 10.6% lead. The gap widens slightly in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-2550K scores 1523 against 1379, a 10.4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-2550K reaches 3628 while the i3-4370 manages 3284, again a 10.5% difference. These consistent margins across different Cinebench versions suggest the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

The single-core results in Cinebench R23 mirror the R20 numbers: the i5-2550K scores 512, the i3-4370 scores 463, a 10.6% delta. Interestingly, the i5-2550K’s average benchmark score of 1136 is only slightly above the i3-4370’s 1130, but the head-to-head tests show a much larger gap. This discrepancy arises because the i5-2550K lacks a Geekbench single-core result in the i3’s dataset, and the i3-4370 has no Cinebench R15 single-core score, so the averages are not directly comparable across all tests.

When placed against their nearest rivals, both processors sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs. The i5-2550K’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-3570T, which matches its average score of 1136 exactly. The i3-4370’s nearest rival is the Intel Pentium Gold G5500, also at 1130. These comparisons show that while the two processors differ by about 0.5% in average score, their competitive positioning in the broader market is nearly identical.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score?

A: The Intel Core i5-2550K wins every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 512 versus 463 for the i3-4370, a 10.6% advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-2550K scores 215 against 194, a 10.8% lead.

Q: Does the i3-4370 win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the i5-2550K wins all five tests, with a win tally of 5 for the i5-2550K and 0 for the i3-4370.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-2550K has an average benchmark score of 1136, while the i3-4370 averages 1130. This is a difference of just 6 points, or about 0.5%.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each?

A: The i5-2550K has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i3-4370 has 2 cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach four threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the i5-2550K and the i3-4370 have ECC memory support set to false in the data.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i5-2550K has a TDP of 95 watts, while the i3-4370 is rated at 54 watts. This makes the i3-4370 significantly more power-efficient on paper.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i5-2550K is the faster processor in every measured benchmark. If you prioritize raw performance, the i5-2550K is the only choice, as it leads by roughly 10.5% across the board. The i3-4370 cannot match the i5-2550K in any test, despite having a higher base clock and a newer architecture.

However, the i3-4370 has its own advantages. Its TDP of 54 watts is substantially lower than the i5-2550K’s 95 watts, making it a better fit for systems with limited cooling or lower power budgets. The i3-4370 also includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), while the i5-2550K has none, which matters for builds without a discrete GPU.

The decision hinges on what matters more: the i5-2550K’s consistent 10%+ performance lead, or the i3-4370’s lower power draw and integrated graphics. For pure compute, the i5-2550K wins. For a compact or energy-conscious system, the i3-4370 is the more practical option. Both processors sit at the same 32nd percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a performance outlier in the broader market.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The i5-2550K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-4370 has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz for the i5-2550K and 3.80 GHz for the i3-4370, but the i5-2550K adds a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, which the i3-4370 lacks entirely.

TDP is another major differentiator: 95 watts for the i5-2550K versus 54 watts for the i3-4370. The sockets are incompatible, with the i5-2550K using Intel Socket 1155 and the i3-4370 using Intel Socket 1150. The i5-2550K supports PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-4370 supports PCIe Gen 3. The i5-2550K’s multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking, but the i3-4370’s is locked.

Memory support is similar (DDR3, dual-channel), but the i5-2550K has a stated memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i3-4370’s bandwidth is not listed. The i5-2550K has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 4 MB on the i3-4370. The i3-4370 includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics; the i5-2550K has none. The i5-2550K was released on 2012-01-29 with a launch MSRP of $235, while the i3-4370 launched on 2014-07-20 with no MSRP listed.

Architecture Differences

The i5-2550K is built on Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process node, while the i3-4370 uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm node. The newer Haswell design gives the i3-4370 a smaller die size of 177 mm² compared to 216 mm² for Sandy Bridge. Transistor counts also differ: the i5-2550K has 1,160 million transistors, while the i3-4370 has 1,400 million, a 20.7% higher count despite the smaller die.

The cache configurations are identical per core: 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2. The shared L3 cache, however, favors the i5-2550K at 6 MB versus 4 MB. The i3-4370’s higher base clock (3.80 GHz) does not translate into a single-core win, suggesting that architectural efficiency gains in Haswell are offset by the i5-2550K’s larger cache and boost capability.

The i3-4370’s integrated graphics presence is a key architectural difference, as is the PCIe generation: Gen 3 on Haswell versus Gen 2 on Sandy Bridge. The i5-2550K’s unlocked multiplier is another differentiator, allowing manual overclocking that the i3-4370 cannot offer. The production status also differs, with the i5-2550K listed as end-of-life, while the i3-4370 has no such designation.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-2550K wins in all multi-threaded and single-threaded benchmark tests, making it the superior choice for compute-heavy tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, or any workload that scales with core count. Its 4 physical cores provide a consistent 10.4% to 10.6% advantage in multi-core Cinebench tests, which directly translates to faster completion times for parallel workloads. The unlocked multiplier also gives enthusiasts the ability to push performance further, a feature the i3-4370 completely lacks.

The i3-4370 wins in power efficiency and platform flexibility. Its 54-watt TDP is 43% lower than the i5-2550K’s 95-watt rating, making it suitable for small-form-factor builds or systems with modest cooling. The inclusion of Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics means the i3-4370 can function without a discrete GPU, which is a decisive advantage for basic office machines or media centers. The newer 22 nm process and PCIe Gen 3 support also make the i3-4370 a more modern platform choice, despite its lower performance.

For users who already have a discrete GPU and prioritize raw speed, the i5-2550K is the obvious pick. For those building a low-power system or one that relies on integrated graphics, the i3-4370 is the better fit. The data does not support any scenario where the i3-4370 outperforms the i5-2550K in computation, so the decision comes down to secondary factors like power, graphics, and overclocking.