Intel Core i5-3550 vs Intel Core i5-4460T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4460T and Intel Core i5-3550 are both 22nm quad-core desktop parts from Intel, but they target different priorities: the 4460T is a low-power Haswell chip, while the 3550 is a higher-clocked Ivy Bridge chip. The benchmark data is unambiguous in one direction: the i5-3550 wins every single head-to-head test in the database. The i5-4460T, however, brings a much lower TDP and a newer integrated GPU to the table. This analysis breaks down what those numbers mean for a builder choosing between two end-of-life socket platforms.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the data is the consistency of the i5-3550’s victory. Across five head-to-head benchmarks, it wins all five, with the margin hovering around 23–24% in every case. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-3550 scores 410 against the i5-4460T’s 313, a 23.7% deficit for the Haswell part. That exact percentage repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore (1710 vs 1305) and Cinebench R23 multicore (4073 vs 3109). The single-core results tell the same story: Cinebench R20 single-core shows 241 for the 3550 vs 183 for the 4460T, a 24.1% gap, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 575 vs 438, a 23.8% gap. There is no test here where the 4460T pulls ahead, even by a fraction.

The reason for this sweeping margin is evident from the clock speeds. The i5-3550 runs at a 3.30 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, while the i5-4460T is locked to 1.90 GHz base and 2.70 GHz boost. That is a 1.4 GHz difference at base and a 1.0 GHz difference at boost. Since both chips have the same core count (4), the same thread count (4), and the same 6 MB of shared L3 cache, the clock advantage translates almost directly into performance. The data suggests the 4460T’s newer Haswell architecture is not enough to offset its dramatically lower clock speeds; the 3550’s raw frequency wins every time.

Looking at the broader benchmark landscape, the average benchmark scores tell a nuanced story. The i5-4460T has an average score of 1190, while the i5-3550 sits at 1178. That is a 1% difference, but in the opposite direction of the head-to-head results. This discrepancy comes from the fact that the 4460T has additional Geekbench scores in its database (2170 multicore, 809 singlecore) that are not present for the 3550, which only has Cinebench scores. The Geekbench results are relatively strong for the 4460T, suggesting that its architectural improvements (Haswell vs Ivy Bridge) help in certain workloads that Geekbench measures more favorably than Cinebench does. In the head-to-head Cinebench suite, though, the 3550 is simply faster.

Both chips land at the 33rd percentile versus all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in the grand scheme of the database. The i5-4460T’s nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6234 (1191 avg, -0.1%) and the Intel Core i3-4170 (1193 avg, -0.3%), while the i5-3550’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4440 (1179 avg, -0.1%) and the Core i7-3635QM (1170 avg, +0.7%). Notably, the i5-2400 appears as a rival to both: it scores 1187 avg, which is 0.3% above the 4460T and 0.7% above the 3550. This indicates that both chips are firmly in the same performance tier, despite the 3550’s consistent head-to-head wins.

The Verdict

From the data, the choice is clear for anyone prioritizing raw compute performance: the Intel Core i5-3550 is the faster CPU. It wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with a 23–24% lead in both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. If you are running workloads that scale with clock speed — which most desktop tasks do — the 3550’s 3.30/3.70 GHz clocks will beat the 4460T’s 1.90/2.70 GHz clocks every time. The 4460T’s Haswell architecture does not make up for that frequency deficit in the Cinebench suite.

However, the i5-4460T is not without reason to exist. Its TDP is 35W versus the 3550’s 77W, which is a massive difference. For a build where heat output and power draw are critical — such as a small form factor PC with a weak cooling solution, or a system that runs 24/7 — the 4460T is the only sensible pick. The data shows they perform similarly on average (1190 vs 1178), so the 4460T is not a slouch; it just loses when both are pushed to full tilt. The 4460T also integrates Intel HD 4600 graphics versus the 3550’s Intel HD 2500, which is a meaningful upgrade for displays and light media use.

There is also a platform consideration. The 4460T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the 3550 uses Intel Socket 1155. These are not interchangeable, so the motherboard you already own or plan to buy will dictate which chip is feasible. If you are starting from scratch, the 3550 offers more performance per dollar on the used market (though we do not discuss pricing here). If you have a low-power 1150 board, the 4460T is the only one of these two that will fit.

Architecture Differences

The i5-4460T is built on the Haswell architecture, while the i5-3550 uses Ivy Bridge. Both are fabricated on Intel’s 22 nm process node, and both pack 1,400 million transistors. The die size differs slightly: the Haswell chip measures 177 mm², while the Ivy Bridge chip is smaller at 160 mm². The extra die area on the 4460T likely accommodates the improved integrated graphics and other architectural changes.

The cache layout is identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is also the same: DDR3 on a dual-channel bus with 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both have 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU.

The most significant architectural differences are the integrated graphics and the power envelope. The 4460T includes Intel HD 4600, while the 3550 has Intel HD 2500. This is a generational leap in GPU capability, and it is a key reason to consider the 4460T despite its lower CPU clocks. The TDP difference is stark: 35W vs 77W. That 42W gap is the largest single specification difference between the two and explains why the 4460T has such low clock speeds — it is designed to fit in a 35W thermal budget.

The release dates also differ: the 3550 launched in April 2012, while the 4460T arrived in February 2014. Both are end-of-life production parts today. The 3550 had a launch MSRP of $194, while the 4460T has no listed launch MSRP in the data.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-3550 is faster in every recorded multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 4073 versus the i5-4460T’s 3109, a 23.7% lead.

Q: Is the i5-4460T ever faster than the i5-3550?

A: In the head-to-head benchmark suite, no. The i5-3550 wins all five tests. However, the i5-4460T has a higher average benchmark score (1190 vs 1178) because its Geekbench scores (2170 multicore, 809 singlecore) are not available for the i5-3550, which only has Cinebench results.

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

A: The i5-4460T has a TDP of 35W, while the i5-3550 has a TDP of 77W. The 4460T consumes less than half the power budget of the 3550.

Q: Do these CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. They also both have 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4460T features Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3550 features Intel HD 2500. The HD 4600 is a newer and more capable GPU.

Q: Are these CPUs compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The i5-4460T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3550 uses Intel Socket 1155. They are not cross-compatible.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-3550 wins in raw processing power. Its 3.30 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost clock deliver a 23–24% advantage across every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, in both single-core and multi-core modes. This makes it the better choice for CPU-bound tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering (as measured by Cinebench), and any application where clock speed directly translates to throughput. The data shows no scenario in the head-to-head suite where the 4460T’s higher IPC from Haswell offsets the 3550’s frequency advantage.

The i5-4460T wins in efficiency and platform features. Its 35W TDP is a fraction of the 3550’s 77W TDP, making it the obvious pick for low-profile builds, passive cooling setups, or systems where power draw is a constraint. It also integrates Intel HD 4600 graphics, which is a generational upgrade over the 3550’s HD 2500, useful for HTPC duties or light gaming without a discrete GPU. The 4460T’s average benchmark score of 1190 is slightly higher than the 3550’s 1178, suggesting that in the workloads captured by Geekbench (which are not in the head-to-head), the newer architecture holds its own.

For a general-purpose desktop where performance is king, the i5-3550 is the clear winner. For a silent, cool, or power-limited system that still needs four cores, the i5-4460T is the only rational choice. The data does not support a middle ground: the head-to-head results are a clean 5-0 sweep for the 3550, while the TDP and iGPU differences are a clean sweep for the 4460T.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ in several key specifications, while sharing a core foundation. Both have 4 cores, 4 threads, 22 nm process node, 1,400 million transistors, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3, DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, no ECC support, 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and a locked multiplier.

The differences are as follows:

• Base Clock: 1.90 GHz (4460T) vs 3.30 GHz (3550)
• Boost Clock: 2.70 GHz (4460T) vs 3.70 GHz (3550)
• TDP: 35W (4460T) vs 77W (3550)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1150 (4460T) vs Intel Socket 1155 (3550)
• Architecture: Haswell (4460T) vs Ivy Bridge (3550)
• Die Size: 177 mm² (4460T) vs 160 mm² (3550)
• Integrated Graphics: Intel HD 4600 (4460T) vs Intel HD 2500 (3550)
• Release Date: 2014-02-28 (4460T) vs 2012-04-28 (3550)
• Launch MSRP: None listed (4460T) vs $194 (3550)
• Part Number: SR1S7 (4460T) vs SR0P0 (3550)