Intel Core i5-2550K vs Intel Core i5-4430 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4430 and Intel Core i5-2550K are two desktop processors from different architectural generations, yet they occupy nearly identical performance tiers in the database. The i5-4430, a Haswell part, edges out the older Sandy Bridge-based i5-2550K across every recorded Cinebench test, with a consistent lead of approximately 9.5%. The i5-2550K counters with a higher base and boost clock, an unlocked multiplier, and a lower launch MSRP, but benchmark results show the newer architecture delivers superior throughput despite its lower operating frequencies. This analysis details the architectural, benchmark, and specification differences between the two.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-4430 wins with a score of 3974 against the i5-2550K’s 3628, a 9.5% advantage.

Q: How do the single-core Cinebench R20 scores compare?

A: The i5-4430 scores 235, while the i5-2550K scores 215, giving the i5-4430 a 9.3% lead in single-threaded performance.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The i5-4430 has an average benchmark score of 1149, placing it in the 33rd percentile of all CPUs. The i5-2550K averages 1136, in the 32nd percentile.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The Intel Core i5-2550K has an unlocked multiplier, as indicated by the "K" suffix, allowing overclocking. The i5-4430 does not.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications?

A: The i5-2550K supports DDR3 with a memory bus of 25.6 GB/s. The i5-4430 supports DDR3 but has no memory bandwidth figure listed in the data.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4430 integrates Intel HD 4600 graphics. The i5-2550K does not include any integrated graphics.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split lies in the process node and microarchitecture generation. The i5-4430 is built on a 22 nm process, whereas the i5-2550K uses a 32 nm node. This process advantage allows the Haswell-based i5-4430 to achieve higher performance per clock, which is reflected in its benchmark wins despite a lower base clock of 3.00 GHz compared to the i5-2550K’s 3.40 GHz. The transistor counts diverge accordingly: the i5-4430 packs 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, while the i5-2550K contains 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die.

Cache hierarchies are identical in capacity: both feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The difference lies in the memory controller and platform support. The i5-4430 uses the Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-2550K uses the older Intel Socket 1155. PCIe support also differs, with the i5-4430 offering Gen 3 and the i5-2550K limited to Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i5-4430 also integrates the Intel HD 4600 GPU, a feature absent from the i5-2550K, which relies on a discrete graphics card.

Power characteristics shift with the architecture. The i5-4430 has a TDP of 84 W, while the i5-2550K draws up to 95 W, a notable difference given the i5-2550K’s higher clocks. The i5-2550K’s production status is listed as end-of-life, whereas the i5-4430 has no such status. Release dates place the i5-2550K at January 2012 and the i5-4430 at June 2013, showing a year-and-a-half gap between launches.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unequivocally in favor of the i5-4430, which wins all six head-to-head tests. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i5-4430 leads 235 to 215, a 9.3% difference. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i5-4430 scores 56 against the i5-2550K’s 51, a 9.8% advantage. This consistency across both single- and multi-threaded workloads indicates a broad IPC improvement from the Haswell architecture.

In multi-core tests, the i5-4430’s lead holds steady. Cinebench R15 multi-core sees the i5-4430 at 400 versus 365, a 9.6% win. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 1669 to 1523 score, again a 9.6% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows the same pattern, with the i5-4430 scoring 3974 against 3628, a 9.5% lead. The i5-2550K never closes the gap, despite its higher 3.80 GHz boost clock, suggesting the i5-4430’s superior per-clock execution overcomes the frequency deficit.

The single-core results reinforce this architectural advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core sees the i5-4430 at 561 versus 512, a 9.6% win. Even in the R20 single-core test, where the i5-2550K’s boost clock is highest relative to the i5-4430, the newer chip still wins by 9.3%. The data indicates that no workload in this benchmark suite favors the older Sandy Bridge design, making the head-to-head sweep complete with a 6-0 wins tally for the i5-4430.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields. Core and thread counts are equal at 4 cores and 4 threads, so the performance gap stems from other factors. Base clocks differ, with the i5-2550K running at 3.40 GHz versus the i5-4430’s 3.00 GHz. Boost clocks likewise favor the i5-2550K at 3.80 GHz against the i5-4430’s 3.20 GHz. Despite these frequency advantages, the i5-2550K loses in all benchmarks.

The process node is a major differentiator: 22 nm for the i5-4430 versus 32 nm for the i5-2550K. This is reflected in the transistor count (1,400 million vs 1,160 million) and die size (177 mm² vs 216 mm²). The sockets are incompatible, with the i5-4430 on Intel Socket 1150 and the i5-2550K on Intel Socket 1155. Memory bandwidth is listed only for the i5-2550K at 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4430 has no figure stated. PCIe support differs: the i5-4430 uses Gen 3, while the i5-2550K uses Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics present a clear split: the i5-4430 includes Intel HD 4600, while the i5-2550K has none. The i5-2550K has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the i5-4430 is locked. TDP also differs, with the i5-4430 at 84 W and the i5-2550K at 95 W. The i5-2550K has a launch MSRP of $235, while the i5-4430 has no MSRP listed. Production status marks the i5-2550K as end-of-life, with no such designation for the i5-4430.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4430 wins in every measured benchmark category, making it the superior choice for raw computational performance in this dataset. Its wins are concentrated in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, across both single- and multi-core tests. The consistent 9.3% to 9.8% margins suggest that any application relying on CPU rendering or single-threaded responsiveness will favor the i5-4430. For users prioritizing out-of-the-box performance, the i5-4430 is the clear pick, especially given its lower TDP of 84 W and integrated graphics, which obviate the need for a separate GPU in basic systems.

The i5-2550K wins in areas not captured by the benchmark suite. Its unlocked multiplier offers overclocking headroom, which the data does not test but which could narrow the performance gap in the hands of an enthusiast. Its higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz provide a nominal frequency advantage that might benefit lightly threaded legacy software that does not scale with architectural improvements. The i5-2550K also has a stated memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4430 lacks a comparable figure, potentially indicating a more clearly documented memory subsystem.

The i5-2550K’s launch MSRP of $235 is the only pricing data available, but the i5-4430’s newer platform with PCIe Gen 3 support offers a longer-term upgrade path within its Socket 1150 ecosystem. Ultimately, the benchmark data shows no scenario where the i5-2550K outperforms the i5-4430 in the tested workloads. The i5-4430’s architectural efficiency, demonstrated by its wins despite lower clocks, makes it the stronger processor for all measured tasks. The i5-2550K’s appeal rests solely on its overclocking capability and frequency specifications, which the benchmarks do not reflect as advantages.