i3-8140U vs i5-2550K

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-2550K
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
2.65
Core i3-8140U
2019
2 cores / 4 threads, 15 Watt
2.71
+2.3%

Core i3-8140U outperforms Core i5-2550K by a minimal 2% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2550K and Core i3-8140U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking17171708
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.65no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Power efficiency2.5916.78
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)no data
Release dateJanuary 2012 (12 years ago)1 October 2019 (5 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 i3-8140U 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)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.4 GHz2.1 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz3.9 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s4 GT/s OPI
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256 KB (per core)no data
L3 cache6144 KB (shared)4 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Chip lithography32 nm14 nm
Die size216 mm2no data
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 i3-8140U 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,LGA1155FCBGA1528
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-8140U. 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+
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
Smart Responseno data+
FDI-no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i5-2550K and Core i3-8140U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection++
SGXno dataYes with Intel® ME
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133
Maximum memory size32 GB64 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s37.5 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel UHD Graphics 620
Max video memoryno data32 GB
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HD-+
Graphics max frequencyno data1 GHz

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2550K and Core i3-8140U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data3
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
DVIno data+

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-8140U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096x2304@24Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data4096x2304@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i3-8140U 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 i3-8140U.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes1616

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 2.65
i3-8140U 2.71
+2.3%

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
i3-8140U 4227
+2.2%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.65 2.71
Physical cores 4 2
Chip lithography 32 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 15 Watt

i5-2550K has 100% more physical cores.

i3-8140U, on the other hand, has a 2.3% higher aggregate performance score, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 533.3% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Core i5-2550K and Core i3-8140U.

Note that Core i5-2550K is a desktop processor while Core i3-8140U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2550K and Core i3-8140U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i5-2550K
Core i5-2550K
Intel Core i3-8140U
Core i3-8140U

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-2550K or Core i3-8140U, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.