i3-12100 vs i5-2550K

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-2550K
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
2.70
Core i3-12100
2022
4 cores / 8 threads, 60 Watt
8.89
+229%

Core i3-12100 outperforms Core i5-2550K by a whopping 229% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1712874
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.65no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency2.5913.51
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release dateJanuary 2012 (12 years ago)4 January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$189no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads48
Base clock speed3.4 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz4.3 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache6144 KB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size216 mm2163 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C100 °C
Number of transistors1160 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100 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
SocketFCLGA1155,LGA1155FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt60 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data-
FDI-no data
Fast Memory Access+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100 are enumerated here.

VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size32 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s76.8 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics 730
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD-+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.4 GHz
Execution Unitsno data24

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100.

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.

i5-2550K 2.70
i3-12100 8.89
+229%

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.

i5-2550K 4134
i3-12100 13598
+229%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i5-2550K 695
i3-12100 2166
+212%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i5-2550K 2092
i3-12100 6862
+228%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.70 8.89
Threads 4 8
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 60 Watt

i3-12100 has a 229.3% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more threads, and 58.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i3-12100 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-2550K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2550K and Core i3-12100, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-2550K
Core i5-2550K
Intel Core i3-12100
Core i3-12100

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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