CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3475S vs Intel Core i5-3550
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3475S is a 65W quad-core Ivy Bridge desktop processor featuring Intel HD 4000 graphics, offering better GPU performance than the HD 2500-equipped i5-3470S in the same power envelope.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Same CPU performance as the i5-3470S — adequate for basic office work but limited by today's standards.
Handles basic office apps, but struggles with heavy multitasking.
Gaming
HD 4000 provides noticeably better gaming capability than HD 2500 but is still insufficient for modern titles.
Can run older games fine, but lacks single-thread speed for modern AAA titles.
Virtualization
Four cores without Hyper-Threading provide basic virtualization capability.
Limited by 4 threads, but VT-x/VT-d support allows basic VM usage.
Efficiency
The 65W TDP balances power efficiency with the additional GPU capability, reasonable for 2012.
Good efficiency for 2012, but outdated by modern 14nm/10nm standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Not applicable for this processor generation
- Insufficient compute for AI workloads
- No AI hardware
- Unsuitable for modern AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4000 with 16 EUs is the best integrated GPU in the Ivy Bridge i5 desktop lineup
- Can handle older games like Minecraft and Team Fortress 2 at low settings
- GPU shares system memory bandwidth, limiting performance
- Modern gaming still requires a discrete GPU
- Requires a dedicated GPU
- Single-core performance is too low for modern games
- PCIe 3.0 support is a plus for compatibility
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- HD 4000 graphics — best IGP in the Ivy Bridge i5 desktop lineup
- 65W TDP for power-efficient operation
- 16 Execution Units provide double the GPU compute of HD 2500
- Same 3.6 GHz turbo boost as other i5-3470 variants
- Full 6MB L3 cache
Cons
- HD 4000 still weak by modern standards
- No Hyper-Threading limits CPU multi-threading
- End-of-life LGA 1155 platform
- No Windows 11 support
- Rare and hard to find on the used market
- DDR3 memory is obsolete
Pros
- True 4 physical cores
- Supports PCIe 3.0
- Low price on used market
- Good for legacy system repairs
Cons
- Obsolete 22nm process
- Locked multiplier
- Weak HD 2500 integrated graphics
- Uses DDR3 memory
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-3475S
- AMD A10-5700Rival
Desktop Low Power
- AMD A10-5800KRival
Desktop Mainstream
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3470SRival
Desktop Low Power
- Intel Core i7-3770SRival
Desktop Low Power
- AMD A8-5500Rival
Desktop Budget
Haswell successor with Iris Pro 5200 graphics in a 65W BGA package.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
Modern 6-core APU with Vega 7 graphics for systems without discrete GPUs.
Modern processor with UHD 770 graphics and dramatically better CPU performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 4300GEAlt
Low-power quad-core with modern Vega integrated graphics.
Modern budget processor with UHD 730 graphics and much better IPC.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-3550
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-6100Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-3450Rival
Desktop
- AMD A10-5800KRival
Desktop
Vastly superior modern quad-core with hyper-threading.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Excellent value used hex-core.
Slightly faster Haswell alternative for the same socket.
Compare head-to-headCheaper Sandy Bridge alternative if overclocking is desired.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 4100Alt
Budget modern alternative.
Our Verdict on Each
The i5-3475S stands out as the only 65W quad-core Ivy Bridge i5 with HD 4000 graphics, but its outdated platform still makes it unsuitable for modern builds.
Best for: Maintaining an existing system that relies on integrated graphics without a discrete GPU
Read the full reviewA solid legacy processor that still handles basic tasks, but lacks the performance and modern features needed for current workloads.
Best for: The Core i5-3550 is completely obsolete and should not be considered for a new build. If you are repairing an older LGA 1155 system or building a budget retro gaming rig, it can be a functional, cheap drop-in part. It still handles basic web browsing and document editing adequately, provided you use lightweight software and an SSD. However, its lack of modern instruction sets and low single-thread performance will bottleneck any modern GPU or application. If you have an existing system, it might be worth a cheap upgrade from a Pentium or i3, but otherwise, save your money for a modern platform. Do not spend more than a few dollars on this chip, as even the cheapest new processors offer vastly superior performance-per-watt.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3475S or Intel Core i5-3550?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3550 comes out ahead with a score of 6/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-3475S or Intel Core i5-3550?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3550 leads with a gaming performance score of 30/100 among Intel Core i5-3475S and Intel Core i5-3550.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-3475S has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-3475S (65 W), Intel Core i5-3550 (77 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3475S and Intel Core i5-3550 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3475S: LGA 1155, Intel Core i5-3550: Intel Socket 1155 (LGA1155)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3475S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3475S (6,800), Intel Core i5-3550 (6,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.