CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3550
Core i5-3570S
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i5-3550 vs Intel Core i5-3570S
The Intel Core i5-3550 and Intel Core i5-3570S are nearly identical Ivy Bridge quad-core parts, but the benchmark data reveals a clear and consistent winner. The i5-3550 wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the Cinebench suite, taking all six comparisons with margins between 1.8% and 2.1%. While both processors land at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs and have nearly identical average benchmark scores (1178 vs. 1169), the i5-3550’s higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 3.10 GHz on the i5-3570S gives it a decisive edge in sustained workloads. The i5-3570S does counter with a higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.70 GHz, but the data shows that this advantage does not translate into a single benchmark victory.
Where Each One Wins
The i5-3550 is the outright winner across every measured workload. In multi-core rendering tests, it leads by exactly 2% in Cinebench R15 (410 vs. 402) and Cinebench R20 (1710 vs. 1676), and by 2.1% in Cinebench R23 (4073 vs. 3991). The pattern holds for single-core performance, where the i5-3550 wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 57 points versus 56 (a 1.8% edge), Cinebench R20 single-core with 241 versus 236 (2.1%), and Cinebench R23 single-core with 575 versus 563 (2.1%). There is no workload category in the data where the i5-3570S takes the lead.
The i5-3570S does have a unique advantage in the Geekbench tests, which are only reported for this model. It scores 1793 in Geekbench multi-core and 632 in Geekbench single-core. However, since no corresponding Geekbench scores exist for the i5-3550 in the data, these results cannot be used for a direct comparison. The i5-3570S also has a lower TDP of 65 watts versus 77 watts for the i5-3550, which makes it the more power-efficient choice, but efficiency does not translate into performance wins in the benchmark results.
Architecture Differences
Both processors are built on the same Ivy Bridge architecture, codenamed Ivy Bridge, and share the same 22 nm process node fabricated by Intel. They are both desktop parts with 4 cores and 4 threads, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The socket is identical as well: Intel Socket 1155. The cache layout is exactly the same on both chips, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, and both lack ECC memory support. The integrated graphics are also identical, with Intel HD 2500 on both parts, and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.
The key architectural difference lies in the die size and clock configuration. The i5-3550 has a die size of 160 mm², while the i5-3570S is smaller at 133 mm². Interestingly, the i5-3550 also lists 1,400 million transistors, while the i5-3570S does not have a transistor count listed in the data. The base clocks differ, with the i5-3550 running at 3.30 GHz and the i5-3570S at 3.10 GHz, but the boost clocks are reversed, with the i5-3570S boosting to 3.80 GHz versus 3.70 GHz on the i5-3550. The memory bandwidth is only listed for the i5-3550 at 25.6 GB/s, with no corresponding figure for the i5-3570S. The release dates differ by about a month, with the i5-3550 launching on 2012-04-28 and the i5-3570S on 2012-05-31.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The most significant single-core win for the i5-3550 comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it scores 241 versus 236, a 2.1% advantage. This is matched in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the i5-3550 scores 575 versus 563, also a 2.1% lead. In multi-core tests, the i5-3550 maintains a consistent 2% edge in both Cinebench R15 (410 vs. 402) and Cinebench R20 (1710 vs. 1676), and a 2.1% edge in Cinebench R23 (4073 vs. 3991). The smallest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i5-3550 leads by just 1.8% with 57 points versus 56.
These margins are small but uniform. The i5-3550 does not just win some tests by a wider margin than others; it wins every test by roughly the same 2% delta. This suggests that the performance gap is driven by the base clock difference rather than any workload-specific advantage. The i5-3570S’s higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz is not enough to overcome the i5-3550’s higher base clock of 3.30 GHz in these benchmarks, likely because Cinebench workloads sustain heavy load that forces the CPUs to settle near their base clocks rather than their boost clocks. The i5-3550 also holds a slight edge in the average benchmark score, with 1178 versus 1169 for the i5-3570S.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher base clock?
A: The Intel Core i5-3550 has a base clock of 3.30 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-3570S has a base clock of 3.10 GHz.
Q: Does the i5-3570S have a higher boost clock?
A: Yes, the i5-3570S boosts to 3.80 GHz, which is higher than the i5-3550’s boost of 3.70 GHz.
Q: Which CPU wins the most benchmarks in the head-to-head data?
A: The Intel Core i5-3550 wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, with no wins for the i5-3570S.
Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?
A: The i5-3550 has a TDP of 77 watts, while the i5-3570S has a lower TDP of 65 watts.
Q: Are these processors on the same socket?
A: Yes, both use the Intel Socket 1155.
Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?
A: The i5-3550 has an average benchmark score of 1178, while the i5-3570S has an average score of 1169.
The Verdict
The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3550 is the faster processor in every benchmark where both are measured. It wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 1.8% to 2.1%, and it holds a higher average benchmark score of 1178 versus 1169. If pure performance is the only criterion, the i5-3550 is the clear pick. Its higher base clock of 3.30 GHz consistently outperforms the i5-3570S despite the latter’s higher boost clock, indicating that real-world workloads favor sustained clock speeds over peak boosts.
The Intel Core i5-3570S is not without its merits, however. Its TDP of 65 watts is significantly lower than the 77 watts of the i5-3550, which makes it a more attractive option for compact builds or systems where power consumption and heat output are priorities. The i5-3570S also has a smaller die size of 133 mm² compared to 160 mm², which could be relevant for thermal density. For users who need a lower-power Ivy Bridge quad-core and are willing to sacrifice roughly 2% performance, the i5-3570S is the sensible choice. But for anyone prioritizing benchmark performance, the i5-3550 wins outright.
Specification Differences
| Specification | Intel Core i5-3550 | Intel Core i5-3570S |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.10 GHz |
| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.80 GHz |
| TDP | 77 W | 65 W |
| Die Size | 160 mm² | 133 mm² |
| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not listed |
| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |
| Release Date | 2012-04-28 | 2012-05-31 |
| Launch MSRP | $194 | Not listed |
| Part Number | SR0P0 | SR0T9 |