CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-2550K and Intel Processor N97 are both 4-core, 4-thread CPUs, but they represent completely different eras of Intel design. The 2550K is a 2012 desktop part built for overclocking on Socket 1155, while the N97 is a 2023 mobile processor soldered to a BGA 1264 board. Their benchmark results show a fascinating split: the older Sandy Bridge chip wins the heavier multi-threaded workload, while the newer Gracemont part dominates single-core and lighter multi-threaded tasks. Below is a breakdown of the data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the data is the Cinebench R23 multicore test, where the Intel Core i5-2550K scores 3628 against the Intel Processor N97's 2913. That is a 24.5% advantage for the 2550K, making it the only benchmark win for the older chip in the head-to-head comparison. This is notable because the N97 is the much newer part with a 10 nm process, yet the 2550K's higher 3.80 GHz boost clock and 95 W power envelope appear to give it the edge in sustained all-core rendering.

However, the N97 wins the other three head-to-head tests decisively. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the N97 scores 479 versus the 2550K's 365, a delta of -23.8% from the 2550K's perspective (meaning the N97 is 23.8% faster). The single-core gap is even wider. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the N97 posts 161 against the 2550K's 51, which is a 68.3% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N97 scores 973 versus 512, a 47.4% lead.

The overall wins tally is 3 for the N97 and 1 for the 2550K. Yet the average benchmark scores of the two CPUs are nearly identical: the 2550K has an average score of 1136, while the N97 sits at 1132. The N97's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-10110U (deltaPct 0.1) and the Intel Pentium Gold G5500 (deltaPct 0.2), while the 2550K's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-3570T (deltaPct 0) and the Intel Xeon E5640 (deltaPct -0.1). Both CPUs sit at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are mid-pack performers overall.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-2550K wins in sustained multi-threaded rendering as shown by Cinebench R23 multicore. Its 3628 score suggests it can handle longer all-core workloads better than the N97, likely due to its higher boost clock and desktop-class thermal design. If a workload is heavily parallel and runs for a while, the 2550K's 24.5% edge in this specific test makes it the better choice for that scenario.

The Intel Processor N97 wins everywhere else in the benchmark data. Its single-core performance is dramatically better: 68.3% faster in Cinebench R15 single-core and 47.4% faster in Cinebench R23 single-core. For everyday tasks like web browsing, office applications, or any software that relies heavily on single-thread performance, the N97 is the clear winner. It also wins the Cinebench R15 multicore test by 23.8%, which suggests it handles shorter multi-threaded bursts better, possibly due to its faster memory bandwidth (38.4 GB/s versus the 2550K's 25.6 GB/s) and newer architecture.

The N97 also brings integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730) while the 2550K has none listed, and its 12 W TDP is dramatically lower than the 2550K's 95 W, making it a fit for power-constrained systems. The 2550K, on the other hand, has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking could potentially close or reverse some gaps, though the data provided does not include overclocked results.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i5-2550K uses Sandy Bridge, a 32 nm architecture from Intel with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. It has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Its memory support is DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration, delivering 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth. It uses PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and has no integrated graphics listed.

The Intel Processor N97 uses Gracemont, a 10 nm architecture from Intel, part of the Alder Lake-N generation. Its cache layout differs significantly: 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory but in a single-channel configuration, yet achieves higher bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s. It uses PCIe Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only) and includes integrated UHD Graphics 730.

The transistor count and die size for the N97 are not listed in the data, but the architectural differences are clear: the N97 has larger L1 and L2 caches per core but shares L2 across cores, whereas the 2550K has per-core L2. The N97's process node is 10 nm versus 32 nm, which explains its much lower 12 W TDP versus 95 W. The 2550K supports dual-channel DDR3, while the N97 is single-channel DDR4/DDR5 but with higher peak bandwidth. The 2550K has an unlocked multiplier; the N97 does not. The 2550K is end-of-life, while the N97 is active production.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Processor N97 is the better all-around CPU for most users. It wins 3 out of 4 head-to-head tests, including both single-core tests and the shorter multi-core test. Its single-core performance advantage (47.4% to 68.3%) is massive, and it also offers integrated graphics and a far lower 12 W TDP. For general-purpose computing, light productivity, and any task that benefits from modern single-thread speed, the N97 is the data-backed choice.

The Intel Core i5-2550K is only worth picking if the workload is specifically long-duration, heavily multi-threaded rendering, as demonstrated by its 24.5% win in Cinebench R23 multicore. It also has an unlocked multiplier, which could appeal to overclockers, though no overclocked scores are provided. However, its lack of integrated graphics, end-of-life status, and 95 W TDP make it a less practical choice for modern systems, especially given that its average benchmark score (1136) is statistically tied with the N97 (1132). The N97 also has a higher single-core Cinebench R23 score (973) than the 2550K's multi-core R23 score (3628) in relative terms, but that comparison is not direct.

For anyone building a new system today, the N97's active production status and lower power draw make it the sensible pick. The 2550K is a legacy part that only wins in one specific rendering scenario.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Processor N97 scores 973, while the Intel Core i5-2550K scores 512, giving the N97 a 47.4% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-2550K win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test with a score of 3628 versus the N97's 2913, a 24.5% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i5-2550K has a TDP of 95 W, while the Intel Processor N97 has a TDP of 12 W.

Q: Do both CPUs support integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Processor N97 includes UHD Graphics 730, while the Intel Core i5-2550K has no integrated graphics listed in the data.

Q: Which CPU has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Processor N97 has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, whereas the Intel Core i5-2550K has 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Are both CPUs at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-2550K and the Intel Processor N97 sit at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 1136 and 1132, respectively.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2550K | Intel Processor N97 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 12 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Gracemont |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 10 nm |

| Cache (L1) | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| Cache (L2) | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |

| Cache (L3) | 6 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 9 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Launch MSRP | $235 | Not listed |