Intel Core i3-550 Processor 3.2 GHz 4 MB Cache Socket LGA1156
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- 3.20 GHz Desktop Processor
- 4 MB Cache
- Dual-core with four-way multi-task processing
- Socket LGA 1156
- 73 watt TDP
Intel Core i3 DUAL Core Socket LGA1156 ProcessorsThe Intel Core i3-550 Processor brings solid performance, Intel HD Graphics, and innovative Intel technologies to your desktop computer. With two cores running at 3.20 GHz, the Core i3-550 won’t have any problems handling your everyday applications. And with the processor’s built-in graphics, you won’t have to spend extra money on a video card in order to get a stunning HD visual experience. Intel Core i3-550
features: Two 3.20 GHz cores for better multitasking and multithreaded performance. Integrated Intel HD Graphics. 4 MB of Intel Smart Cache. Made on a 32nm process for better energy efficiency.
The Intel Core i3-530 processor includes built-in HD graphics. Multiple Cores for Speedy, Multi-Threaded Performance
The Intel Cor
Intel Core Processors
Intel Core i3-550 Processor 3.2 GHz 4 MB Cache Socket LGA1156
List Price: $ 159.35
Price:
Excellent speed and value!,
I recently made the switch from Mac to PC and decided on a custom built computer. I did not trust purchasing a “name brand” system and wanted to choose my own parts, etc. I opted for the Core i3 550 and couldn’t be happier. It runs fairly cool and is very quick! I’m not a gamer and don’t plan to OC the chip so I don’t have any comment on that end, but it has handled Windows 7 very well in many aspects.
If you are looking for a fast chip that won’t break the bank, look no further than the Core i3 550.
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|Great value for gaming pc,
I recently built my first pc for gaming and wanted a good mix of value and performance for each component. The intel core i3 550 seemed like a good value, having the combination dual core + hyper threading and an onboard graphics processing unit. The onboard gpu is nice because my motherboard does not have onboard graphics and if my PCI-e graphics card did not work for some reason I would still have a functional computer.
Since this was my first computer build, I assembled it somewhat haphazardly and made some mistakes. In the case of the processor, I did a really bad job applying thermal compound to the chip. The stock heatsink comes with some kind of thermal pad stuck to the bottom and rather than use it alone or scrape it off and use my own compound (arctic silver), i left it on AND used the arctic silver. Bad choice–idling was at about 40C and running prime95 for about 30 seconds got the cpu up to 80C. These are not stable temperatures for a gaming computer (which can apply a load similar to prime95) so I checked the arctic silver website and found some good directions on how to apply thermal compound.
Tips for applying thermal compound:
-both cpu and heatsink surface need to be extremely clean (no dust/oil/hair/etc). Rubbing alcohol is recommended.
-you only use a very small amount of thermal compound–just to fill microscopic gaps between the heatsink and fan (ie the metal should do most of the heat conduction, not the compound). In my case, i should have removed the thermal pad on the stock heatsink.
-apply a small amount of thermal compound to both surfaces and work it in with the edge of a credit card, passing over repeatedly to spread the compound over the entire surface (DONT use your finger to spread it around). This is to fill in the microscopic pores. Remove excess with dry cloth or paper towel.
-Now you need to find your respective model on the arctic silver (or whatever your compound is) website and read how to put the final application. For the intel i3 550, you apply a line of thermal compound parallel to the long axis of the actual chip.
End result: idling at 29C and maxes out at 74C after an hour in prime95. For a stock fan on a mini itx board in a small case (lian li pc-q11), i think that is pretty damn good. Gaming performance has been fine and i have had no stability issues at all. Games I’ve played with it: Batman arkham asylum, Red Alert 3, Warhammer 40k Dawn of War 2, Dead Space, Left 4 dead, and HL2 dm.
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|BRILLIANT PROCESSOR,
Got it for an HDTV application with an HDMI Intel motherboard. I was slightly sceptical due to some surprisingly downbeat reviews of the current wave of Intel motherboards. However, I have been using Intel motherboards for about ten years and they seembulletproof. I have some that were so caked in dirt and dust I was surprised they still worked. Took a chance and built the HTPC – works brilliantly. No hesitation on anything I have done with it 1080P, which, so far, is everything except playing with Blu-Ray.
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