CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3550 vs Intel Core i5-4570
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3550 is a 4-core desktop processor introduced in April 2012 as part of the Ivy Bridge family. Built on a 22 nm process, it features a base clock of 3.3 GHz and a turbo boost of up to 3.7 GHz. Designed for standard desktop computing, it includes 6 MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory. Unlike its 'K' series counterparts, the multiplier is locked, limiting overclocking capabilities. It integrates Intel HD 2500 graphics, which are suitable for basic display output but not for gaming. With a TDP of 77 W, it balances power consumption and performance, making it a reliable choice for budget builds and office systems. While it has reached end-of-life status, it remains functional for basic computing tasks and legacy systems requiring LGA 1155 socket compatibility.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles basic office apps, but struggles with heavy multitasking.
Handles basic office and web tasks well, but compilation times and heavy multitasking expose its limits.
Gaming
Can run older games fine, but lacks single-thread speed for modern AAA titles.
Competent with older titles and eSports games, but modern AAA titles expose the four-thread limitation severely.
Virtualization
Limited by 4 threads, but VT-x/VT-d support allows basic VM usage.
VT-x and VT-d are present but four threads severely constrain any practical virtualization workload.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for 2012, but outdated by modern 14nm/10nm standards.
84W TDP for this performance level is unremarkable; modern processors deliver 2-3x the performance at similar power.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Unsuitable for modern AI workloads
- No AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 available but insufficient for meaningful inference
- DDR3 bandwidth too low for AI workloads
- Not suitable for any local AI tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Requires a dedicated GPU
- Single-core performance is too low for modern games
- PCIe 3.0 support is a plus for compatibility
- Capable with eSports titles like CS:GO and Dota 2
- Bottlenecks mid-range and above modern GPUs
- DDR3 memory limits performance in open-world games
- No Hyper-Threading reduces 1% low frame rates
- Best paired with GTX 1060 or slower for balanced performance
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Was excellent value at launch for mainstream users
- TSX and TXT support uncommon in this price segment
- Good turbo boost delta of 400 MHz
- Wide compatibility with H81 through Z97 chipsets
- Low used-market pricing makes it viable for repairs
Cons
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier eliminates overclocking
- 84W TDP is inefficient by modern standards
- DDR3 memory platform is obsolete
- No longer receives security microcode updates
- TSX was disabled on most systems due to errata
- Significantly outperformed by modern i3 processors
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core i5-4570
- AMD FX-6300Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570Rival
Mid-Range Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
APU Desktop
- Intel Core i3-4340Rival
Budget Desktop
Slightly higher clocks at similar pricing, providing a small but free performance uplift.
Compare head-to-headHigher base and turbo clocks for users needing maximum performance on LGA 1150.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Alt
Six cores and twelve threads on a modern DDR4 platform at similar used-market pricing.
Modern budget CPU that significantly outperforms the i5-4570 in single-threaded tasks.
Compare head-to-headDevils Canyon refresh with improved thermal interface and slightly higher clocks.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA solid mid-range performer that was the go-to recommendation for mainstream PC builders in 2013-2014, but its four-thread limitation and DDR3 platform make it impractical for modern workloads.
Best for: Replacing a failed CPU in an existing LGA 1150 system where motherboard reuse is necessary
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3550 or Intel Core i5-4570?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4570 comes out ahead with a score of 7.2/10. 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 i5-3550 or Intel Core i5-4570?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4570 leads with a gaming performance score of 48/100 among Intel Core i5-3550 and Intel Core i5-4570.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-3550 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-3550 (77 W), Intel Core i5-4570 (84 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3550 and Intel Core i5-4570 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3550: Intel Socket 1155 (LGA1155), Intel Core i5-4570: LGA 1150), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3550 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3550 (6,000), Intel Core i5-4570 (4,310). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.