Intel Core i7-870 vs Intel Core i3-550

Last updated: 2024-10-31

CPU comparison with benchmarks


Intel Core i7-870		Intel Core i3-550
CPU comparison Intel Core i7-870 or Intel Core i3-550 - which processor is faster? In this comparison we look at the differences and analyze which of these two CPUs is better. We compare the technical data and benchmark results. The Intel Core i7-870 has 4 cores with 8 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.60 GHz. Up to 16 GB of memory is supported in 2 memory channels. The Intel Core i7-870 was released in Q2/2010. The Intel Core i3-550 has 2 cores with 4 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.20 GHz. The CPU supports up to 16 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Intel Core i3-550 was released in Q2/2010.

Intel Core i7 (300)	Family	Intel Core i3 (205)
Intel Core i7 800 (6)	CPU group	Intel Core i3 500 (4)
1	Generation	1
Lynnfield	Architecture	Clarkdale
Desktop	Segment	Desktop
--	Predecessor	--
--	Successor	--

CPU Cores and Base Frequency The Intel Core i7-870 is a 4 core processor with a clock frequency of 2.93 GHz (3.60 GHz). The Intel Core i3-550 has 2 CPU cores with a clock frequency of 3.20 GHz.
Intel Core i7-870	Characteristic	Intel Core i3-550
4	Cores	2
8	Threads	4
normal	Core architecture	normal
Yes	Hyperthreading	Yes
No	Overclocking ?	No
2.93 GHz	Frequency	3.20 GHz
3.60 GHz	Turbo Frequency (1 Core)	--
--	Turbo Frequency (All Cores)	--


NPU AI performance The performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is specified here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher. Processors with support for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors.
Intel Core i7-870	Characteristic	Intel Core i3-550
--	AI hardware	--
--	AI specifications	--
--	NPU + CPU + iGPU	--

Integrated graphics (iGPU) The integrated graphics unit of a processor is not only responsible for the pure image output on the system, but can also significantly increase the efficiency of the system with the support of modern video codecs.
no iGPU	GPU	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
	GPU frequency	0.50 GHz
--	GPU (Turbo)	0.73 GHz
--	GPU Generation	5
	Technology	32 nm
	Max. displays	2
--	Compute units	12
--	Shader	24
No	Hardware Raytracing	No
No	Frame Generation	No
--	Max. GPU Memory	2 GB
--	DirectX Version	10.1

Hardware codec support A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
no iGPU	GPU	Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
No	Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit)	No
No	Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit)	No
No	Codec h264	Decode
No	Codec VP9	No
No	Codec VP8	No
No	Codec AV1	No
No	Codec AVC	Decode
No	Codec VC-1	No
No	Codec JPEG	No

Memory & PCIe The Intel Core i7-870 supports a maximum of 16 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Intel Core i3-550 can connect up to 16 GB of memory in 2 memory channels.
Intel Core i7-870	Characteristic	Intel Core i3-550
DDR3-1333	Memory	DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
16 GB	Max. Memory	16 GB
2 (Dual Channel)	Memory channels	2 (Dual Channel)
21.3 GB/s	Max. Bandwidth	21.3 GB/s
No	ECC	Yes
1.00 MB	L2 Cache	0.50 MB
8.00 MB	L3 Cache	4.00 MB
2.0	PCIe version	2.0
16	PCIe lanes	16
8.0 GB/s	PCIe Bandwidth	8.0 GB/s
Thermal Management The TDP (Thermal Design Power) of a processor specifies the required cooling solution. The Intel Core i7-870 has a TDP of 95 W, that of the Intel Core i3-550 is 73 W.
Intel Core i7-870	Characteristic	Intel Core i3-550
95 W	TDP (PL1 / PBP)	73 W
--	TDP (PL2)	--
--	TDP up	--
--	TDP down	--
--	Tjunction max.	--
Technical details The Intel Core i7-870 has a 9.00 MB cache, while the Intel Core i3-550 cache has a total of 4.50 MB.

Intel Core i7-870	Characteristic	Intel Core i3-550
45 nm	Technology	32 nm
Monolithic	Chip design	Monolithic
x86-64 (64 bit)	Instruction set (ISA)	x86-64 (64 bit)
SSE4.1, SSE4.2	ISA extensions	SSE4.1, SSE4.2
LGA 1156	Socket	LGA 1156
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d	Virtualization	VT-x, VT-x EPT
No	AES-NI	No
Windows 10, Linux	Operating systems	Windows 10, Linux
Q2/2010	Release date	Q2/2010
--	Release price	117 $

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Intel Core i7-870 4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz (3.60 GHz) buy now on Amazon and save! Intel Core i3-550 2C 4T @ 3.20 GHz buy now on Amazon and save!

Rate these processors

Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 2 CPU benchmarks

Intel Core i7-870 (98%)

Intel Core i3-550 (93%)

⌀ Multi core performance in 4 CPU benchmarks

Intel Core i7-870 (100%)

Intel Core i3-550 (55%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a partial load benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. In the single-core test, only the fastest CPU core is measured. The test run simulates the performance in practice.


	Intel Core i7-870 4C 8T @ 3.60 GHz	481 (95%)
	Intel Core i3-550 2C 4T @ 3.20 GHz	505 (100%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

The practical Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark tests the system's performance under partial load. The processor's maximum power consumption is far from being used up.


	Intel Core i7-870 4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz	1541 (100%)
	Intel Core i3-550 2C 4T @ 3.20 GHz	992 (64%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.


	Intel Core i7-870 4C 8T @ 3.60 GHz	574 (100%)
	Intel Core i3-550 2C 4T @ 3.20 GHz	489 (85%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.


	Intel Core i7-870 4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz	2124 (100%)
	Intel Core i3-550 2C 4T @ 3.20 GHz	1170 (55%)

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.


	Intel Core i7-870 4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz	3110 (100%)
	Intel Core i3-550 2C 4T @ 3.20 GHz	1597 (51%)

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

The CPU-Z benchmark measures a processor's performance by measuring the time it takes the system to complete all benchmark calculations. The faster the benchmark is completed, the higher the score.


	Intel Core i7-870 4C 8T @ 2.93 GHz	1414 (100%)
	Intel Core i3-550 2C 4T @ 3.20 GHz	717 (51%)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.


	Intel Core i7-870 @ 0.00 GHz	0 (0%)
	Intel Core i3-550 Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) @ 0.73 GHz	35 (100%)

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.


	Intel Core i7-870 4C 8T @ 3.60 GHz	101 (100%)
	Intel Core i3-550 2C 4T @ 3.20 GHz	0 (0%)

Devices using this processor
Intel Core i7-870	Intel Core i3-550
Unknown	Unknown

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