i3-3217U vs Pentium 3550M

Aggregate performance score

Pentium 3550M
2013
2 cores / 2 threads, 37 Watt
0.87
+8.7%

Pentium 3550M outperforms Core i3-3217U by a small 9% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking25652622
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesIntel PentiumIntel Core i3
Power efficiency2.144.29
Architecture codenameHaswell (2013−2015)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date1 September 2013 (11 years ago)1 June 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$134$225

Detailed specifications

Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U 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)2 (Dual-core)
Threads24
Base clock speed2.3 GHz1.8 GHz
Boost clock speed2.3 GHz1.8 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache2 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm22 nm
Die size118 mm2118 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C105 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)105 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U 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
SocketFCPGA946FCBGA1023
Power consumption (TDP)37 Watt17 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2Intel® AVX
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology--
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Secure Key+no data
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theft-+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel® HD Graphics for 4th Generation Intel® ProcessorsIntel HD Graphics 4000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HD-+
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHz1.05 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33
eDP++
DisplayPort++
HDMI++
VGA+no data
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U.

PCIe version2.02.0
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.

Pentium 3550M 0.87
+8.7%
i3-3217U 0.80

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.

Pentium 3550M 1330
+8.6%
i3-3217U 1225

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 0.87 0.80
Recency 1 September 2013 1 June 2012
Threads 2 4
Power consumption (TDP) 37 Watt 17 Watt

Pentium 3550M has a 8.7% higher aggregate performance score, and an age advantage of 1 year.

i3-3217U, on the other hand, has 100% more threads, and 117.6% lower power consumption.

Given the minimal performance differences, no clear winner can be declared between Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U.


Should you still have questions on choice between Pentium 3550M and Core i3-3217U, 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 Pentium 3550M
Pentium 3550M
Intel Core i3-3217U
Core i3-3217U

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


2.5 40 votes

Rate Pentium 3550M on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.1 527 votes

Rate Core i3-3217U on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Pentium 3550M or Core i3-3217U, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.