Intel Core i5-3550S vs Intel Core i5-4690T Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in the recorded benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-4690T wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests. It leads in Cinebench R15 multi-core (393 vs 383), R15 single-core (55 vs 54), R20 multi-core (1640 vs 1599), R20 single-core (231 vs 225), R23 multi-core (3905 vs 3808), and R23 single-core (551 vs 537).

Q: How large is the performance gap between the two chips?

A: The deltas are consistent but modest. The i5-4690T leads by 2.6% in R15 multi-core, 1.9% in R15 single-core, 2.6% in R20 multi-core, 2.7% in R20 single-core, 2.5% in R23 multi-core, and 2.6% in R23 single-core. No test shows a double-digit margin.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings for each CPU?

A: The i5-4690T has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i5-3550S has a TDP of 65 watts. This makes the i5-4690T the more power-efficient part despite its higher benchmark scores.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket?

A: No. The i5-4690T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3550S uses Intel Socket 1155. They are not socket-compatible with each other.

Q: What integrated graphics do the two CPUs include?

A: The i5-4690T includes Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3550S includes Intel HD 2500. The 4690T has the more capable integrated graphics solution.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i5-3550S has a higher boost clock at 3.70 GHz compared to the i5-4690T's 3.50 GHz. However, the i5-4690T still scores higher in every single-core benchmark.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-4690T is the outright winner in every recorded benchmark. Its six wins span all three Cinebench versions, covering both multi-core and single-core workloads. The most significant single advantage appears in Cinebench R20 single-core, where it leads by 2.7% (231 vs 225). The smallest edge is in R15 single-core at 1.9% (55 vs 54). For users running Cinebench-based rendering or CPU-bound productivity tasks, the i5-4690T consistently outperforms the i5-3550S.

The i5-3550S does not win any of the six head-to-head tests. Its advantages are limited to non-benchmark specifications: a higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.50 GHz), a higher boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.50 GHz), and a larger die size (160 mm² vs 177 mm²). None of these translate into a benchmark victory.

In terms of market positioning, the i5-4690T sits at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-3550S sits at the 31st percentile. The average benchmark score for the i5-4690T is 1129, compared to 1118 for the i5-3550S. This places the 4690T among rivals like the Intel Core i7-3612QM (score 1129, 0% delta) and Intel Core i3-4370 (score 1130, -0.1% delta). The 3550S sits near the Intel Core i3-4150 (score 1119, -0.1% delta) and AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (score 1116, 0.2% delta).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The i5-4690T is built on Haswell, while the i5-3550S uses Ivy Bridge. Both are manufactured on a 22 nm process node at Intel, and both pack 1,400 million transistors. The die sizes differ: the i5-4690T measures 177 mm², while the i5-3550S measures 160 mm².

Cache hierarchies are identical. Each core has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2, with a shared 6 MB L3 pool. Both chips are quad-core, quad-thread parts. Memory support is DDR3 on a dual-channel bus for both. The i5-4690T has a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-3550S does not have a recorded bandwidth figure.

Both processors expose PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The integrated graphics differ: the i5-4690T ships with Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3550S ships with Intel HD 2500. The 4690T is the newer part, released on 2014-04-30, while the 3550S launched on 2012-04-28.

The part numbers differ as well: SR1QT for the i5-4690T and SR0P3 for the i5-3550S.

Specification Differences

The clearest specification gap is TDP. The i5-4690T draws 45 watts, the i5-3550S draws 65 watts, a 20-watt difference in favor of the newer part. This lower TDP pairs with a lower base clock: 2.50 GHz for the 4690T versus 3.00 GHz for the 3550S. The boost clocks also differ, with the 3550S reaching 3.70 GHz and the 4690T reaching 3.50 GHz.

Socket compatibility separates the two: the 4690T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the 3550S uses Intel Socket 1155. The architectures differ by generation: Haswell for the 4690T, Ivy Bridge for the 3550S. Die size is not identical, with the 4690T at 177 mm² and the 3550S at 160 mm². Integrated graphics differ as noted: HD 4600 versus HD 2500. Memory bandwidth is listed only for the 4690T at 25.6 GB/s.

Shared specifications include cores (4), threads (4), process node (22 nm), transistor count (1,400 million), L1 (64 KB per core), L2 (256 KB per core), L3 (6 MB shared), memory type (DDR3), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (false), PCIe (Gen 3, 16 lanes), market segment (Desktop), and unlocked multiplier (false).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-4690T wins every recorded contest. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 393 against 383 for the 3550S, a 2.6% lead. Single-core R15 shows 55 versus 54, a 1.9% edge. The R20 multi-core test yields 1640 versus 1599, again a 2.6% difference. R20 single-core produces the largest relative gap: 231 versus 225, or 2.7%. R23 multi-core records 3905 versus 3808, a 2.5% margin. R23 single-core closes at 551 versus 537, a 2.6% delta.

The pattern is consistent. Across all six tests, the 4690T maintains a lead between 1.9% and 2.7%. The newer Haswell architecture delivers a small but uniform advantage over Ivy Bridge in the same core and cache configuration. Notably, the 3550S has higher clock speeds on paper (3.00 GHz base, 3.70 GHz boost) yet still trails in every single-core test. This indicates the Haswell core's architectural efficiency outweighs the raw clock advantage of the older design.

For context, the 4690T's average benchmark score of 1129 places it exactly at the level of the Intel Core i7-3612QM (1129, 0% delta) and slightly above the Intel Core i3-4370 (1130, -0.1% delta). The 3550S at 1118 sits near the Intel Core i3-4150 (1119, -0.1% delta) and just below the AMD Athlon 240GE (1121, -0.2% delta). The 4690T also edges out the i5-3330S (1128, 0.1% delta), another Ivy Bridge part.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-4690T is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 1.9% to 2.7%. Its average benchmark score of 1129 exceeds the 3550S's 1118, and its 32nd percentile placement is one point higher. For users prioritizing raw CPU performance in Cinebench-style workloads, the 4690T is the clear choice.

The i5-3550S retains a few specification-level advantages. It has a higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.50 GHz), a higher boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.50 GHz), and a smaller die (160 mm² vs 177 mm²). But these do not translate into any recorded performance win. The 3550S also lacks a listed memory bandwidth figure, while the 4690T provides 25.6 GB/s.

Power efficiency favors the 4690T decisively. Its 45-watt TDP is 20 watts lower than the 3550S's 65-watt rating, and it still delivers higher scores. This makes the 4690T the better option for compact or thermally constrained systems. The newer Haswell architecture, released on 2014-04-30 versus 2012-04-28, brings a better integrated GPU (Intel HD 4600 vs HD 2500) and a newer socket (1150 vs 1155).

Users building on Socket 1150 should select the i5-4690T without hesitation. Users constrained to Socket 1155 have no choice but the i5-3550S, but they should expect slightly lower multi-core and single-core scores. The data shows a modest, consistent performance advantage for the 4690T across all Cinebench versions, alongside a substantial efficiency advantage. The 3550S is not a competitive alternative unless platform compatibility forces the older socket.