CPU Comparison
Core i7-5550U vs Core i7-5600U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-5550U is a specialized low-power mobile processor released in 2015, positioned for premium ultrabooks requiring enhanced graphical capabilities in a thin form factor. Part of the 14nm Broadwell-U architecture, it features two cores and four threads. Unlike standard U-series chips, the 5550U integrates Intel HD Graphics 6000, boasting 48 execution units for significantly better rendering performance. It operates at a base clock of 2.0 GHz and boosts up to 3.0 GHz, utilizing a 15-watt configurable TDP. The processor is built on a larger 133 mm² die housing 1.9 billion transistors to accommodate the beefier graphics array. While end-of-life, the i7-5550U represented an interesting tier in Intel's lineup, offering a middle ground between basic integrated graphics and high-end Iris Pro solutions. It was tailored for professionals needing efficient media processing and light 3D rendering on the go truly impressive indeed.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Adequate for basic tasks but dual-core limits heavy workloads.
Good for office tasks, but dual-core limits heavy multitasking.
Gaming
Better than HD 5500, but still only suitable for old or light games.
HD 5500 is only suitable for very old or 2D games.
Virtualization
Not recommended for VMs.
vPro helps, but dual-core limits running multiple VMs.
Efficiency
Good efficiency, though the larger GPU increases idle power slightly.
Excellent efficiency for 2015 business laptops.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Limited by dual-core CPU
- No AI hardware
- Dual-core limits inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Can handle older games at 720p
- HD 6000 is a step up but still weak
- Not for modern AAA gaming
- Not designed for gaming
- HD 5500 is very weak
- Only for basic 2D applications
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Better integrated graphics than standard U-series
- Low 15W TDP
- Supports faster 1866 MT/s DDR3
- Good for media playback
Cons
- Only 2 cores
- Outdated DDR3 memory
- Weak for modern multitasking
- Soldered to motherboard
- Short market lifespan
Pros
- Intel vPro for enterprise management
- Excellent battery life for its era
- Good for office productivity
- Low 15W TDP
Cons
- Only 2 cores
- Outdated DDR3 memory
- Weak integrated graphics
- Soldered to motherboard
- Struggles with modern multitasking
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i7-5550U
- AMD A10-7300Rival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i7-5500URival
Mobile Thin & Light
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5250URival
Mobile Thin & Light
- Intel Core i7-6560UAlt
Skylake successor with Iris graphics and DDR4.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Modern 6-core alternative with Vega graphics.
- Alt
Massive leap in efficiency and graphics performance.
Compare head-to-head Modern 10nm alternative with Iris Plus graphics.
Compare head-to-headCoffee Lake-U with Iris Plus and much higher performance.
Compare head-to-head
Core i7-5600U
- AMD A8-7100Rival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i7-5500URival
Mobile Thin & Light
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-5300URival
Mobile Business
- Intel Core i7-6600UAlt
Skylake successor with DDR4 and vPro.
Modern quad-core vPro alternative with massive performance gains.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 4500UAlt
Modern 6-core alternative for business laptops.
Modern 10nm alternative with better efficiency and graphics.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Revolutionary efficiency and performance for mobile work.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A unique Broadwell-U chip that prioritized integrated graphics performance, making it suitable for light creative work in thin laptops.
Best for: Buying a used premium ultrabook for basic media consumption.
Read the full reviewA solid Broadwell-U chip tailored for enterprise environments with vPro, offering good efficiency and adequate performance for office work.
Best for: Buying a refurbished ThinkPad or Latitude for basic typing.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Core i7-5550U or Core i7-5600U?
For gaming, the Core i7-5550U leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Core i7-5550U and Core i7-5600U.
Do Core i7-5550U and Core i7-5600U use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1168 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.