Intel Core i9-10900KF vs Intel Core i5-2550k

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-10900KF or Intel Core i9-10900KF – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i9-10900KF features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2020 and belongs to the 10 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-10900KF, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1200 socket.
The Intel Core i5-2550k features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2012 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-2550k, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-10900KF Name Intel Core i5-2550k
Intel Core i9 Family Intel Core i5
10 Generation 2
Intel Core i 10000 Group Intel Core i 2000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-10900KF has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-10900KF is 3.7 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 5.3 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Intel Core i5-2550k has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-2550k is 3.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.8 GHz.
5.3 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.8 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.7 GHz Frequency 3.4 GHz
20 Threads 4
Yes Hyperthreading No
10 CPU Cores 4
10x Cores 4x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-10900KF does not have integrated graphics.
The Intel Core i5-2550k does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

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.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 2
128.0 GB Max. Memory 32.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
45.8 GB/s Bandwidth 21.3 GB/s
DDR4-2933 Memory type DDR3-1333
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 W watts.
100 °C Tjunction max --
125 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 95 W
95 W TDP down None
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-10900KF is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 20.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-2550k is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
Q2/2020 Release date Q1/2012
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Comet Lake S Architecture Sandy Bridge S
14 nm Technology 32 nm
LGA 1200 Socket LGA 1155
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
472 $ Release price 235 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
20.0 MB L3-Cache 6.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10900KF
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
11344
11344
Intel Core i5-2550k
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
2611
2611

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-10900KF
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
10634
10634
Intel Core i5-2550k
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
2010
2010

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-10900KF
10C 20T @ 3.7 GHz
1864
1864
Intel Core i5-2550k
4C 4T @ 3.4 GHz
664
664