Ideally, at the time of release, the Core I5 3550 microprocessor was suitable for assembling mid-level system units in performance. It could be gaming systems, workstations, or even entry-level servers. That is, it is a fairly versatile device. It is his characteristics that this material will be devoted to. The test results will also be given and recommendations regarding its possible application to date.
Positioning
The third generation of Intel processor units for desktop systems based on the Core architecture was distributed as follows:
- The most productive solutions included the i7 series chips. Such devices were equipped with four computing cores and supported NT and TurboBust technologies. The first of them allowed two data streams to be processed simultaneously on one real core, and the second provided dynamic control of the CPU frequency depending on the degree of complexity of the program code and the level of heating of the semiconductor crystal.
- The middle-class microprocessor segment was filled with solutions i3 and i5. In the first case, the semiconductor crystal included two computing units, which, thanks to the NT technology, already processed four data streams. The CPU in this series did not support TurboBust auto boost technology. In turn, the i5 series devices were already equipped with four cores, but did not support NT multithreading technology. Also in this case, the microprocessor frequency dynamically changed within the set limits due to TurboBust technology.
- Entry-level chips included Celeron and Pentium processors. They had only two cores and did not support Intel's most advanced technologies - NT and TurboBust.
As can be seen from the previous classification, the hero of this review made it possible to create mid-level personal computers with a good margin in performance.
Equipment
There were two possible delivery options for the processor unit of the Core i5 3550 model. The most affordable of them was called Trail. In this case, the equipment included a chip, a sticker-logo of the CPU family, a certificate of conformity, and a warranty card. In this form, microprocessors are most often bought by large assembly companies, which then at the lowest possible price buy bulk cooling systems. This allows you to achieve negligible savings on each sold system unit.
The second possible delivery option was called Voh. It differed from the previous delivery list in that it included a standard cooling system from the manufacturer and a tube with thermal grease. In this configuration, microprocessors are usually acquired by already small collectors who cannot afford to buy coolers at wholesale prices.
CPU socket. CPU Information
This microprocessor model is designed to be installed in the LGA 1155 socket. As previously noted, the semiconductor chip of this chip includes 4 physical cores that process the program code in four streams, and this is the key difference between the CPU series and the flagship Core i7. The nominal base frequency of the Intel Core i5 3550 is 3.30 GHz. Due to the support of TurboBust’s dynamic frequency change technology, it can rise to 3.7 GHz during the operation of a computing system. The code name of this microprocessor family is Ivi Bridge, and this, as previously noted, is the third generation of chips of the Core architecture.
RAM. Cache
Core i5-3550 was equipped with an integrated memory controller, which also supports dual-channel mode. The only compatible memory type is DDR3. The operating frequencies of the RAM modules are 1333 MHz or 1600 MHz. The maximum amount of RAM that this microprocessor device can address is 32 GB.
The fast cache memory of this chip includes three levels. Its first level includes four segments of 64 kb. That is, in total, it can accommodate 256 kb. It is also necessary to note separately that each such cluster is “assigned” to a particular computing module. In addition to this, 64 kb data is divided into 2 parts of 32 kb. One of them is for storing code, and the second is for data.
The total size of the second level of the cache is 1 MB. It is also divided into 4 parts of 256 kb. Each such segment is assigned to a specific physical core of the chip and can store both data and information.
The third cache level is common for all cores and integrated graphics accelerator. Its size is 6 MB.
Graphics subsystem
The specifications of the Intel Core i5-3550 indicate that this microprocessor has an integrated video card. Moreover, it is on the same semiconductor substrate along with computing cores. The model of this accelerator is Intel HDGraphics 2500. It includes 6 stream processors for processing graphic information. Its clock frequency dynamically changes from 650 MHz to 1.15 GHz. This accelerator is well suited for solving the least demanding tasks. But to maximize the potential of the computing part of this chip, you need to install a discrete graphics card.
Technological features. Thermal pack
This semiconductor chip was manufactured using a technology called Tri Gate and met 22 nm standards. The microprocessor thermal package corresponds to 77 watts. The maximum allowable temperature of the CPU is 67.4 0 . When solving the simplest tasks in combination with a standard cooling system, its value is in the range from 50 to 57 0 C. If a resource-intensive application is implemented, the temperature will increase and will reach 60-65 0 FROM.
Test stand
As the opponents of the microprocessor under consideration, it is most optimal to choose i7-2600K, i5-2500K and Fx-8120 chips. All of these CPUs had comparable cost and approximately the same level of performance. The test bench included the following components:
- Motherboards based on Z68 chipsets from Intel and 790FX from AMD.
- Specialized cooler Kama Angle.
- 2 RAM modules of 1 GB standard DDR3 with a frequency of 1600 MHz.
- Graphics adapter GeForce 9800, which is equipped with 1 GB of video buffer standard GDDR3.
- 500GB Seagate hard drive with SATA interface support .
- Seasonic power supply with a rated output of 650 W and a cooling cooler with a diameter of 120 mm.
All tested microprocessors with an unlocked multiplier functioned in nominal mode during performance testing. That is, the clock frequencies did not artificially increase.
Results in synthetic bags
In the test utility PC Mark 05, microprocessors showed the following results in conditional scores:
- i5-3550 - 13878.
- i5-2500 K - 12573.
- i7-2600 K - 12297.
- Fx-8120 - 8946.
Intel chips show approximately the same results. Moreover, the microprocessor considered in this review is in the first place. But AMD’s flagship shows a very unconvincing result and is significantly behind competitors.
In the test application CrystalMark 0.9, the chips were able to produce the following results:
- i5-3550 - 85047.
- i7-2600 K - 74132.
- i5-2500 K - 73011.
- Fx-8120-41042.
As in the previous case, AMD’s flagship shows a low level of performance. The winner is the Core i5-3550 processor, and Intel's second-generation CPU is slightly behind.
Performance in games. Real speed
Synthetic tests do not always show the real performance of a computing system. It can be more correctly evaluated in application applications.
In the game N.A.W.X. microprocessors in the resolution of 1280x1024 gave such results as part of the test bench:
- Fx-8120 - 136.
- i5-3550 - 128.
- i7-2600 K - 120.
- i5-2500 K - 118.
Due to the high degree of software optimization, AMD microprocessor is ahead of competitors from Intel. The hero of this review is in second place and inferior to the leader of 8 frames per second. Representatives of the previous generation are even more lagging behind. But the amount of FPS on any chip is sufficient for a comfortable game in this case.
In the game World in Conflict, the situation is radically changing and the CPU in the resolution of 1024x768 already gives such solutions:
- i5-3550 - 82.
- i7-2600 K - 77.
- i5-2500 K - 76.
- Fx-8120-51.
The third-generation chip is becoming a leader and is slightly ahead of the flagships of the previous generation. But the solution shows a very modest result. But the number of frames is enough for a comfortable level of the game.
In the game Far Cry II, the situation does not change and microprocessors give such results in FPS:
- i5-3550 - 152.
- i7-2600 K - 146.
- i5-2500 K - 145.
- Fx-8120 - 88.
Intel microprocessors demonstrate a comparable level of performance. But AMD’s flagship almost loses to them.
Microprocessor overclocking
The characteristics of the Core i5-3550 indicate that it has a locked multiplier. That is, this chip cannot be overclocked simply by increasing the multiplier. The only possible way to increase the performance of this microprocessor device is to increase the frequency of the system bus. Again, the nominal value of the latter is 100 MHz. After overclocking, it can be increased to 105 MHz. That is, the frequency of the chip in this case will be 3.8 GHz. A real increase in microprocessor performance will be only 100 MHz.
CPU relevance
By the standards of 2012, the Intel Core i5-3550 processor can be called an advanced solution. At the time of release, he allowed to solve any problems. But even today it is practically not out of date and has not lost its relevance. It has four processing cores, and it allows you to run any modern application, including the most resource-intensive. Of course, it is not practical to assemble a new PC on its basis, but the old computing systems based on it will for a long time provide an acceptable level of performance.
Cost
At the time of the start of sales, the Intel R CoreTM i5-3550 was estimated by the manufacturer at $ 205 in the Trail configuration and at $ 213 in the Vox delivery option. Now, such a former-in-use chip can be purchased for 600-800 rubles. In the new state, it can be bought on Chinese trading floors for 2700-3000 rubles.
Reviews
The only significant drawback of the Intel Core i5-3550 CPU, according to users, is the high cost. But if you take into account the level of performance and positioning of the microprocessor device, then everything falls into place. High-speed CPUs may not initially have low cost. The owners include reliability, performance and energy efficiency.
Conclusion
A truly universal microprocessor device by the standards of 2012 was the Core i5-3550. This chip is perfect for building gaming computers, entry-level servers and other universal computing systems. The only area in which he was inferior to i7 series solutions is the transcoding of multimedia content. A similar situation persists to this day. That is, PCs based on it still successfully cope with the tasks assigned to them.