i5-12600HX vs i3-550

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i3-550
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
1.01
Core i5-12600HX
2022
12 cores / 16 threads, 55 Watt
15.17
+1402%

Core i5-12600HX outperforms Core i3-550 by a whopping 1402% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2448457
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.11no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Power efficiency1.3126.10
Architecture codenameClarkdale (2010−2011)Alder Lake-HX (2022)
Release date30 May 2010 (14 years ago)10 May 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$101no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads416
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.2 GHz4.6 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache4 MB (shared)18 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size81 mm2215 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C100 °C
Number of transistors382 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1156FCBGA1964
Power consumption (TDP)73 Watt55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI-+
FMA-+
AVX-+
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology-no data
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
SIPP-+
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
FDI+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size16.38 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s76.8 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel ProcessorsIntel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequencyno data1.35 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported24

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.1
OpenGLno data4.6

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX.

PCIe version2.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes1620

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i3-550 1.01
i5-12600HX 15.17
+1402%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-550 1611
i5-12600HX 24096
+1396%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.01 15.17
Integrated graphics card 0.77 5.58
Recency 30 May 2010 10 May 2022
Physical cores 2 12
Threads 4 16
Power consumption (TDP) 73 Watt 55 Watt

i5-12600HX has a 1402% higher aggregate performance score, 624.7% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 11 years, 500% more physical cores and 300% more threads, and 32.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-12600HX is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-550 in performance tests.

Note that Core i3-550 is a desktop processor while Core i5-12600HX is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-550 and Core i5-12600HX, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-550
Core i3-550
Intel Core i5-12600HX
Core i5-12600HX

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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