i9-10980HK vs i5-2550K

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-2550K
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
2.65
Core i9-10980HK
2020
8 cores / 16 threads, 45 Watt
10.93
+312%

Core i9-10980HK outperforms Core i5-2550K by a whopping 312% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2550K and Core i9-10980HK processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1717721
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.65no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Comet Lake
Power efficiency2.5922.56
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Comet Lake-H (2020)
Release dateJanuary 2012 (12 years ago)2 April 2020 (4 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$189$583

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2550K and Core i9-10980HK 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)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads416
Base clock speed3.4 GHz2.4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz5.1 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s8 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6144 KB (shared)16 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm14 nm
Die size216 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature73 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors1160 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2550K and Core i9-10980HK 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,LGA1155FCBGA1440
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i9-10980HK. 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 Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
FDI-no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i5-2550K and Core i9-10980HK 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 i9-10980HK are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i9-10980HK. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4
Maximum memory size32 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s45.8 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel® UHD Graphics for 10th Gen Intel® Processors
Quick Sync Video++
Graphics max frequencyno data1.25 GHz

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2550K and Core i9-10980HK 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 i9-10980HK integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2304@30Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096 x 2304@60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data4096 x 2304@60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-2550K and Core i9-10980HK 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 i9-10980HK.

PCIe version2.04.0
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
i9-10980HK 10.93
+312%

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
i9-10980HK 17037
+312%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.65 10.93
Physical cores 4 8
Threads 4 16
Chip lithography 32 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 45 Watt

i9-10980HK has a 312.5% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more physical cores and 300% more threads, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 111.1% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-10980HK is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-2550K in performance tests.

Note that Core i5-2550K is a desktop processor while Core i9-10980HK is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2550K and Core i9-10980HK, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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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 i9-10980HK
Core i9-10980HK

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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