Intel Core i5-3550S vs Intel Core i7-2860QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-2860QM and Intel Core i5-3550S represent two distinct approaches to quad-core processing from Intel’s Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge generations. The data shows a narrow overall margin, with the i7-2860QM holding an average benchmark score of 1120 against the i5-3550S’s 1118, a difference of just 0.2%. Despite this near-parity in aggregate, the two processors diverge sharply in workload-specific performance. The i7-2860QM wins six of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, while the i5-3550S claims two decisive victories in Geekbench tests. This split reflects fundamental architectural trade-offs between mobile-oriented multi-threading and desktop-oriented single-core efficiency.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-2860QM is the clear winner in multi-threaded rendering workloads. Across all Cinebench tests, it maintains a consistent lead, with deltas ranging from 1.7% to 1.8% over the i5-3550S. The largest advantage appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the i7 scores 390 against 383, a 1.8% margin. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 and R23 multicore, with the i7 posting 1626 and 3873 respectively, versus 1599 and 3808 for the i5. The i7 also wins the single-core Cinebench tests, though by the barest of margins: 54 to 54 in R15 (a 0% delta), 229 to 225 in R20 (1.8%), and 546 to 537 in R23 (1.7%). This makes the i7-2860QM the preferred choice for sustained multi-threaded content creation, where its eight threads provide a measurable, if modest, edge.

The Intel Core i5-3550S dominates in Geekbench, which simulates a broader range of everyday and single-threaded tasks. In Geekbench multicore, the i5 scores 1716 against the i7’s 1681, a 2% advantage. The gap widens dramatically in Geekbench single-core, where the i5 posts 623 versus 558 for the i7, a 10.4% lead. This makes the i5-3550S the better fit for latency-sensitive applications, legacy software, and workloads that rely heavily on single-thread performance. The i5’s higher base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost clock of 3.70 GHz, compared to the i7’s 2.50 GHz and 3.60 GHz, directly contribute to this advantage. For users prioritizing snappy desktop responsiveness over raw multi-core rendering, the i5-3550S is the superior part.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide starts with process technology. The i7-2860QM is built on Intel’s 32 nm Sandy Bridge node, while the i5-3550S uses the newer 22 nm Ivy Bridge process. This results in different physical characteristics: the i7 integrates 1,160 million transistors across a 216 mm² die, whereas the i5 packs 1,400 million transistors into a smaller 160 mm² die. The smaller, denser Ivy Bridge process contributes to the i5’s higher clock speeds at a higher TDP of 65 watts, versus 45 watts for the mobile i7.

Core and thread counts are a defining difference. Both processors have four physical cores, but the i7-2860QM supports eight threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i5-3550S is limited to four threads. This explains the i7’s consistent lead in multi-threaded Cinebench tests, as it can process twice as many threads concurrently. Cache configuration also differs: the i7 offers 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5 provides 6 MB. Both share the same per-core L1 and L2 caches at 64 KB and 256 KB respectively.

Platform and market positioning diverge completely. The i7-2860QM is a mobile processor on the Intel Socket G2 (988B) interface, belonging to the Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) generation. The i5-3550S is a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1155, part of the Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) generation. The i5 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), a feature absent from the i7’s specifications. Integrated graphics also differ: the i7 carries Intel HD 3000, while the i5 uses Intel HD 2500. The i7 was released on 2011-09-03 and is marked end-of-life, whereas the i5 launched on 2012-04-28 with no production status listed in the data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a uniform, if narrow, victory for the i7-2860QM. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7 scores 390 against 383, a 1.8% delta. The R15 single-core test is a dead heat at 54 points each, with a 0% delta, though the head-to-head table still credits the i7 with the win. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7 leads 1626 to 1599 in multicore (1.7%) and 229 to 225 in single-core (1.8%). Cinebench R23 continues the trend: the i7 posts 3873 versus 3808 in multicore (1.7%) and 546 versus 537 in single-core (1.7%). These results are remarkable for their consistency — across every rendering benchmark, the i7’s advantage hovers near 1.7-1.8%, suggesting a fixed architectural edge rather than workload-specific noise.

The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-3550S wins 1716 to 1681, a 2% margin. This is surprising given the i7’s eight threads, but the i5’s higher clocks likely compensate. The single-core Geekbench test is the most lopsided result of the entire comparison: the i5 scores 623 against 558, a 10.4% delta in favor of the i5. This is the single largest performance gap in the dataset, and it underscores the i5’s superior per-thread execution capabilities. While the i7 wins six of eight benchmarks, the i5’s two wins are decisive enough to nearly erase the i7’s aggregate lead — the average scores sit at 1120 and 1118, a negligible 0.2% difference.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-threaded rendering performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM. It wins all three Cinebench multicore tests, with scores of 390, 1626, and 3873 in R15, R20, and R23 respectively, against 383, 1599, and 3808 for the i5-3550S. The deltas range from 1.7% to 1.8%.

Q: Why does the i5-3550S win Geekbench single-core by such a large margin?

A: The i5-3550S scores 623 in Geekbench single-core versus 558 for the i7-2860QM, a 10.4% advantage. This is driven by the i5’s higher base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost clock of 3.70 GHz, compared to 2.50 GHz and 3.60 GHz for the i7.

Q: How do the thread counts differ between these two processors?

A: The i7-2860QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-3550S has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i7’s Hyper-Threading capability provides two threads per core, which contributes to its edge in multi-threaded Cinebench workloads.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The i7-2860QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-3550S has 6 MB. Both processors use 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 caches per core.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-2860QM has a TDP of 45 watts, suitable for mobile platforms, while the i5-3550S has a TDP of 65 watts, reflecting its desktop orientation. The i5’s higher TDP allows for its higher clock speeds.

Q: Which processor ranks higher overall?

A: The i7-2860QM has a percentile of 32 against all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1120. The i5-3550S has a percentile of 31 and an average score of 1118. The difference is 0.2%, placing them in the same performance tier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-2860QM | Intel Core i5-3550S |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G2 (988B) | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Ivy Bridge |

| Generation | Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) | Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 160 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | Not specified | DDR3 |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 3000 | Intel HD 2500 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not specified |

| Release Date | 2011-09-03 | 2012-04-28 |

| Part Number | SR02X | SR0P3 |

| Geekbench Single-core | 558 | 623 |

| Geekbench Multicore | 1681 | 1716 |