Xeon Gold 6538N vs i5-3550

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Aggregate performance score

Core i5-3550
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 77 Watt
3.11
Xeon Gold 6538N
2023
32 cores / 64 threads, 205 Watt
29.03
+833%

Xeon Gold 6538N outperforms i5-3550 by a whopping 833% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-3550 and Xeon Gold 6538N processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking1593152
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.50no data
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesIntel Core i5 (Desktop)no data
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Emerald Rapids (2023)
Release date23 April 2012 (12 years ago)14 December 2023 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$205no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-3550 and Xeon Gold 6538N 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)32 (Dotriaconta-Core)
Threads464
Base clock speed3.3 GHz2.1 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz4.1 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80 KB (per core)
L2 cache1 MB2 MB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB60 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size160 mm22x 763 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °C85 °C
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-no data

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-3550 and Xeon Gold 6538N 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 configuration12
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA4677
Power consumption (TDP)77 Watt205 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-3550 and Xeon Gold 6538N. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® AMX, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
FDI+no data
StatusDiscontinuedLaunched
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-3550 and Xeon Gold 6538N technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key+no data
Identity Protection+-
SGXno dataYes with Intel® SPS
OS Guardno data+
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-3550 and Xeon Gold 6538N are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-3550 and Xeon Gold 6538N. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR5-5200
Maximum memory size32 GB4 TB
Max memory channels28
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2500N/A
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-3550 and Xeon Gold 6538N integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-3550 and Xeon Gold 6538N.

PCIe version3.05.0
PCI Express lanesno data80

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.

i5-3550 3.11
Xeon Gold 6538N 29.03
+833%

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.

i5-3550 4811
Xeon Gold 6538N 44895
+833%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.11 29.03
Recency 23 April 2012 14 December 2023
Physical cores 4 32
Threads 4 64
Power consumption (TDP) 77 Watt 205 Watt

i5-3550 has 166.2% lower power consumption.

Xeon Gold 6538N, on the other hand, has a 833.4% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, and 700% more physical cores and 1500% more threads.

The Xeon Gold 6538N is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-3550 in performance tests.

Note that Core i5-3550 is a desktop processor while Xeon Gold 6538N is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-3550 and Xeon Gold 6538N, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-3550
Core i5-3550
Intel Xeon Gold 6538N
Xeon Gold 6538N

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