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Intel Core i7 8550U Review | 78 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£340
  • Avg. price in US: ~$410
  • PassMark benchmark result: 5796
  • N. of physical cores: 4
  • CPU boost clock speed: 4.0 GHz

Intel Core i7 8550U review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

4.3

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.3

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Poor
4.3

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

3.6

Performance

18.0%

4.9

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

4.0

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

7.4

Power & Thermal

4.0%

7.3

Platform

1.0%

7.0

Integrated Graphics

Poor
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 4.6
    Gaming

    Score components:

    30.0%

    3.0

    PassMark single-core benchmark score

    25.0%

    9.0

    Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    4.6

    CPU boost clock speed

    17.0%

    2.1

    L3 cache

    8.0%

    1.8

    N. of physical cores

  • 2.2
    Video editing

    Score components:

    45.0%

    2.2

    Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    1.8

    N. of physical cores

    20.0%

    2.8

    CPU threads

    15.0%

    2.1

    L3 cache

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £340

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Intel Core i7-8550U is an 8th Gen Kaby Lake Refresh quad-core processor designed for ultrabooks, featuring 8 threads, a 1.8 GHz base frequency, and a 4.0 GHz max turbo boost. Built on a 14nm process with an 8MB Smart Cache and a 15W TDP, it offers a significant 40% performance leap over its dual-core predecessors, excelling in multitasking and single-threaded tasks while maintaining high energy efficiency. However, its performance is highly dependent on laptop cooling solutions, frequently leading to thermal or power limit throttling under sustained heavy loads, and its integrated UHD Graphics 620 is limited to light gaming and basic 4K video playback.

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i7 8550U

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

?

Performance

18.0%

?

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

?

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

?

Power & Thermal

4.0%

?

Platform

1.0%

?

Integrated Graphics

4.3
Intel Core i7 8550U has a technical score of 4.3 points, which is lower than that of 71% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
1.0
Intel Core i7 8550U has a popularity of 1 points, which is higher than 0% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.3

Overall score

40.0%

8.7

Price

5.6
Intel Core i7 8550U has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.6 points, which is lower than 82.6% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Processor type
What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.
When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

mobile
Intel Core i7 8550U belongs to the mobile processor class, which is more advanced than that of 7.3% of processors and equal to that of 48.6% of processors.
CPU socket
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

FCBGA1356
Intel Core i7 8550U uses the FCBGA1356 CPU socket, which is older than that of 88.1% of processors and equal to that of 3% of processors.
Chipset
What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.
When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

N/A
CPU architecture
What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

x86-64
Intel Core i7 8550U uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.7% of processors and equal to that of 98.3% of processors.
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N. of physical cores
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

4
Intel Core i7 8550U has 4 CPU cores, which is fewer than 50.7% of processors and equal to 28.5% of processors.
CPU threads
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

8
Intel Core i7 8550U offers 8 CPU threads, which is more than 35.3% of processors and equal to 19% of processors.
Threads per core
What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.
When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

2
Intel Core i7 8550U offers 2 threads per core, which is more than 30.4% of processors and equal to 69.6% of processors.
CPU boost clock speed
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

4.0 GHz
Intel Core i7 8550U reaches a boost clock of 4.0 GHz which is lower than that of 59.8% of processors and equal to that of 5% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

4 x 1.8 GHz
Intel Core i7 8550U has a base clock of 4x1.8 GHz which is equal to that of 100% of processors.
Show more
Semiconductor size
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

14 nm
Intel Core i7 8550U uses a 14 nm process node, which is older than that of 50.8% of processors and equal to that of 33.7% of processors.
Foundry
What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel 14 nm
Intel Core i7 8550U is built on the Intel 14 nm foundry process, which is less advanced than that of 55.2% of processors and equal to that of 29.3% of processors.
L3 cache
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

8 MB
Intel Core i7 8550U has an L3 cache of 8 MB which is larger than that of 39.7% of processors and equal to that of 11.8% of processors.
L2 cache
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

1 MB
Intel Core i7 8550U has an L2 cache of 1 MB which is smaller than that of 67.1% of processors and equal to that of 17.6% of processors.
L1 cache
What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

256 KB
Intel Core i7 8550U has an L1 cache of 256 KB which is smaller than that of 59.4% of processors and equal to that of 18.5% of processors.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

DDR4/LPDDR3
Intel Core i7 8550U supports DDR DDR4/LPDDR3, which is newer than that of 58.1% of processors and equal to that of 2.1% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

2,400 MHz
Intel Core i7 8550U supports memory speeds up to 2400 MHz, which is lower than that of 63.2% of processors and equal to 12.4% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.
When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

DDR4-2400 MHz
Intel Core i7 8550U supports JEDEC memory speeds up to DDR4-2400 MHz, which is lower than that of 63.4% of processors and equal to 10.6% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.
When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

32 GB
Intel Core i7 8550U supports up to 32 GB of memory, which is less than 71.9% of processors and equal to 19.5% of processors.
Show more
Integrated graphics
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Intel Core i7 8550U includes integrated graphics. 87.6% of processors include integrated graphics.
Integrated GPU model
What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.
When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel UHD Graphics 620
Intel Core i7 8550U uses the Intel UHD Graphics 620 integrated GPU, which is less advanced than that in 55.8% of processors and equal to that in 1.2% of processors.
Integrated GPU execution units
What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.
When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

24
Intel Core i7 8550U has 24 GPU execution units, which is more than 49.2% of processors and equal to 21.6% of processors.
Integrated GPU base frequency
What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.
When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

300 MHz
Intel Core i7 8550U has an integrated GPU clock of 300 MHz which is lower than that of 57% of processors and equal to that of 38.7% of processors.
Integrated media encoders/decoders
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

?
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TDP (Thermal design power)
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

15 W
Intel Core i7 8550U has a TDP of 15 W which is lower than that of 77.7% of processors and equal to that of 16.1% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

15 W
Intel Core i7 8550U has a base power of 15 W which is lower than that of 77.2% of processors and equal to that of 16.2% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

44 W
Intel Core i7 8550U has a boost power of 44 W which is lower than that of 71.5% of processors and equal to that of 0.6% of processors.
Tau (power duration limit)
What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.
When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

28 seconds
Intel Core i7 8550U has a turbo duration of 28 seconds which is longer than that of 3.8% of processors and equal to that of 85% of processors.
Configurable TDP
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

yes
Intel Core i7 8550U supports configurable TDP. 52.9% of processors support configurable TDP.
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Intel Core i7 8550U vs the average processor

  • 2.71x faster classroom rendering
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (2,142.4 vs 791.745). The average processor needs 791.745 for the Blender Classroom test.
    What it is: A Blender render result based on the Classroom scene, used to show how quickly the processor can complete a demanding rendering workload.
    When it matters: When rendering speed matters for 3D work, content creation, or other workloads that behave like long multi-core renders.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >1500

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (2,142.4 vs 791.745). The average processor needs 791.745 for the Blender Classroom test.2,142.37 vs 791.745
  • 2.21x faster Blender rendering
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower Blender BMW27 render time than the average processor (734.7 vs 331.88). The average processor needs 331.88 for the Blender BMW27 test.
    What it is: A Blender render result based on the BMW27 scene, used to show how quickly the processor can finish a heavy 3D rendering task.
    When it matters: When rendering speed matters for 3D work, content creation, or other workloads that behave like long multi-core renders.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >290

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower Blender BMW27 render time than the average processor (734.7 vs 331.88). The average processor needs 331.88 for the Blender BMW27 test.734.74 vs 331.88
  • 66.7% lower base power
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
    What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
    When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <30 W

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.15 W vs 45 W
  • 30.9% smaller die size
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower die size than the average processor (123 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
    What it is: The physical area of the processor die, usually measured in square millimeters.
    When it matters: When you are comparing chip scale, packaging density, or broader design differences rather than direct user-visible performance.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <150 mm²

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower die size than the average processor (123 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².123 mm² vs 178 mm²
  • 66.7% lower TDP
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
    What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
    When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: <30 W

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.15 W vs 45 W
  • 31.3% lower boost power
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (44 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.
    What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
    When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <50 W

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (44 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.44 W vs 64 W
  • Newer DDR support
    Intel Core i7 8550U supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR4/LPDDR3 vs DDR4).
    What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
    When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: DDR5

    Intel Core i7 8550U supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR4/LPDDR3 vs DDR4).DDR4/LPDDR3 vs DDR4
  • 16.7% more L3 per core
    Intel Core i7 8550U has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
    What it is: The amount of L3 cache effectively available per CPU core.
    When it matters: When you are comparing how much shared cache each core can draw on in deeper technical analysis.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=2 MB/core

    Intel Core i7 8550U has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core
  • 2.71x faster classroom rendering
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower Blender Classroom render time than the average processor (2,142.4 vs 791.745). The average processor needs 791.745 for the Blender Classroom test.
  • 2.21x faster Blender rendering
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower Blender BMW27 render time than the average processor (734.7 vs 331.88). The average processor needs 331.88 for the Blender BMW27 test.
  • 12 higher clock multiplier
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a higher clock multiplier than the average processor (40 vs 28). The average processor has a clock multiplier of 28.
  • 30.9% smaller die size
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower die size than the average processor (123 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
  • 16.7% more L3 per core
    Intel Core i7 8550U has more L3 cache per core than the average processor (2 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
  • Newer DDR support
    Intel Core i7 8550U supports a newer DDR generation than the average processor (DDR4/LPDDR3 vs DDR4).
  • 66.7% lower base power
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower base power draw than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
  • 66.7% lower TDP
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower TDP than the average processor (15 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
  • 31.3% lower boost power
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower boost power draw than the average processor (44 W vs 64 W). The average processor has a boost power draw of 64 W.

Total
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Power & Thermal
  • Older CPU socket
    Intel Core i7 8550U uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,356 vs FP2).
  • 3 year/s older release date
    Intel Core i7 8550U has an older release date than the average processor (2,017 vs 2,020).
    August 2017
  • No crypto acceleration
    Intel Core i7 8550U does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
  • 59.5% weaker multi-core performance
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (1,128 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
  • 26.9% lower Cinebench R20 single-core score
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (354 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
  • 19.3% weaker single-core performance
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,005 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
  • 2 fewer CPU cores
    Intel Core i7 8550U has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
  • 45% lower PassMark score
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (5,796 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
  • 7% lower boost clock
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (4 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
  • 27.9% lower multi-core score
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (3,455 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
  • 50% lower bus transfer rate
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower bus transfer rate than the average processor (4 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor offers bus transfer rate of 8 GT/s.
  • 50% lower bus speed
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower bus speed than the average processor (4 GT/s vs 8 GT/s). The average processor runs at bus speed of 8 GT/s.
  • 16.7% larger process node
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
  • 60% smaller L2 cache
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
  • 50% less L2 per core
    Intel Core i7 8550U has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
  • 33.3% smaller L1 cache
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (256 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
  • 4 fewer PCIe lanes
    Intel Core i7 8550U has fewer PCIe lanes than the average processor (12 vs 16). The average processor offers 16 PCIe lanes.
  • 18.1% lower memory bandwidth
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (37.5 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
  • 50% less memory capacity
    Intel Core i7 8550U has fewer maximum memory capacity than the average processor (32 GB vs 64 GB). The average processor supports 64 GB of memory.
  • 18.2% lower memory speed
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (2,400 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
  • 59.5% weaker multi-core performance
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (1,128 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.
    What it is: A Cinebench R20 score that reflects how well the processor handles long, heavy rendering workloads across many cores.
    When it matters: When you care about sustained multi-core performance in rendering, compiling, heavy creation work, or productivity workloads that use many threads.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4700

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower multi-core performance than the average processor (1,128 vs 2,783). The average processor scores 2,783 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.1,128 vs 2,783
  • 26.9% lower Cinebench R20 single-core score
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (354 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.
    What it is: A Cinebench R20 benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about lighter workloads, interface responsiveness, or software that still depends heavily on one fast core.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >600

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower Cinebench R20 single-core score than the average processor (354 vs 484). The average processor scores 484 in Cinebench R20 single-core.354 vs 484
  • 19.3% weaker single-core performance
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,005 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
    What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >3200

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,005 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.2,005 vs 2,483
  • 2 fewer CPU cores
    Intel Core i7 8550U has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
    When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 8+

    Intel Core i7 8550U has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.4 vs 6
  • 16.7% larger process node
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
    What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
    When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: <10 nm

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.14 nm vs 12 nm
  • 50% less L2 per core
    Intel Core i7 8550U has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
    What it is: The amount of L2 cache available to each CPU core.
    When it matters: When you are comparing per-core cache resources in deeper architectural analysis.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=1 MB/core

    Intel Core i7 8550U has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.0.25 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
  • 45% lower PassMark score
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (5,796 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
    What it is: A benchmark score that gives a broad idea of overall processor performance.
    When it matters: When you want a quick overall performance comparison.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >19000

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (5,796 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.5,796 vs 10,532.5
  • 60% smaller L2 cache
    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
    What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
    When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=6 MB

    Intel Core i7 8550U has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.1 MB vs 2.5 MB
Total
Overall
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i7 8550U and other processors

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i7 8550U?

  • Significant performance jump (approx. 40-50%) over previous dual-core generations like the i7-7500U
  • Excellent multitasking capabilities due to the 4-core, 8-thread configuration
  • High power efficiency (15W TDP) leads to improved battery life in ultrabooks
  • Capable of handling CPU-intensive tasks like Adobe Photoshop and light-to-medium gaming when paired with a decent GPU
  • Strong burst performance with a boost clock reaching up to 4.0 GHz

What customers dislike about Intel Core i7 8550U?

  • Prone to thermal throttling in thin laptop chassis, which can significantly drop sustained clock speeds
  • Base clock speed is relatively low (1.8 GHz) to maintain the low power profile
  • Integrated UHD 620 graphics are outdated for modern, demanding games at high resolutions
  • Performance is heavily dependent on the specific laptop's cooling solution and power limit tuning
  • Lacks the sustained high-load performance of 'H' series processors (e.g., i7-8750H or 7700HQ)

Expert reviews

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cpubenchmark.net
30/03/2026
Intel Core i7-8550U @ 1.80GHz - CPU Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-8550U is a 15W, 4-core/8-thread Kaby Lake Refresh processor designed for thin laptops, featuring a 1.8 GHz base clock and up to 4.0 GHz boost. Its primary advantage is doubling the core count of its predecessors while maintaining high efficiency, delivering strong burst performance and capable UHD Graphics 620 for general productivity, 4K media, and light, 720p...Read more

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techspot.com
10/10/2017
Four Cores for Ultrabooks: Core i7-8550U Review - TechSpot

The TechSpot review of the Intel Core i7-8550U ("Kaby Lake Refresh") highlights a significant shift to a quad-core/eight-thread design within a 15W envelope, providing massive multi-threaded performance gains. Single-threaded performance increased by roughly 30% alongside a 60% boost in content creation benchmarks, effectively bringing high-performance capabilities to thin-and-light...Read more

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pcworld.com
08/11/2017
Intel 8th-gen Core i7 review: What happens when thin laptops get ...

The PCWorld review of the Intel 8th-gen Core i7-8550U highlights it as a "quantum leap" for ultraportable laptops, as it introduces quad-core performance into a 15-watt thermal envelope, resulting in up to a 40% performance boost over 7th-gen chips. A major pro is the exceptional speed in handling intensive tasks like video editing, made possible by a high 4.0GHz turbo boost....Read more

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techspot.com
14/02/2018
External GPU Testing: GTX 1080 in a Box + Core i7-8550U Are you looking for benchmark comparisons against a specific newer generation, or do you need...

The TechSpot review of the Gigabyte Aorus GTX 1080 Gaming Box paired with an 8th-gen Core i7-8550U laptop demonstrates a significant 61% average performance boost over previous dual-core eGPU setups, transforming thin-and-light laptops into capable gaming machines. While the setup offers impressive convenience with Thunderbolt 3, USB charging, and quiet operation, it suffers from a...Read more

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laptopmag.com
04/11/2017
HP Spectre 13 (8th Gen Core) Review

The HP Spectre 13 (8th Gen) is highlighted as an ultra-portable, aesthetically striking laptop with a 0.41-inch chassis, a powerful Core i7-8550U CPU, and a surprisingly comfortable keyboard, making it a stylish choice for users prioritizing design. However, the device suffers from significant drawbacks, including a "stunted" battery life that falls well below the category average...Read more

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laptopmag.com
06/08/2019
Acer Swift 3 (2019) review

The 2019 Acer Swift 3 is a sleek, 2.9-pound productivity laptop featuring an all-aluminum chassis, a powerful 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, and a fast SSD. While performance is strong, the laptop is hindered by a below-average 7 hour and 22-minute battery life and a color-bland display. Key drawbacks include a poorly placed power button that causes accidental shutdowns and the...Read more

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laptopmag.com
21/11/2017
HP Spectre x360 (15-inch, 8th Gen) Review

The HP Spectre x360 15-inch (2020) is a premium 2-in-1 featuring a luxurious "gem-cut" design and a stunning 15.6-inch 4K AMOLED display, powered by an Intel Core i7-10750H CPU and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q GPU. Key advantages include fast SSD performance, a comfortable keyboard with a numeric pad, and versatile port selection, including two Thunderbolt 3 ports. However, the...Read more

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laptopmag.com
15/10/2017
Dell XPS 13 9360 Review

The Dell XPS 13 (9360), powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i7, is lauded for its "blazing" quad-core performance and exceptional 16-hour battery life, positioning it as a top-tier ultraportable. Featuring a durable CNC aluminum chassis, a 2.7-pound frame, and the immersive InfinityEdge display, the laptop combines high-end power with premium portability. Pros include a vibrant 1080p...Read more

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techspot.com
12/02/2018
HP Spectre x360 13 Review > Performance

The 2018 HP Spectre x360 13 features a premium, lightweight aluminum chassis with excellent build quality, though it is limited by significant thermal throttling under load. While the 8th-gen Intel Core i7-8550U processor provides a major boost over previous models, the thin design causes temperatures to hit 100°C, resulting in lower sustained performance compared to competitors...Read more

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techspot.com
18/12/2017
Dell XPS 13 Review > System Performance

The TechSpot review of the Dell XPS 13 (9560/9360) highlights a massive performance increase, with the 8th-gen Core i7-8550U providing up to 82% faster multi-threaded performance in Cinebench and 62% better video encoding compared to the 7th-gen model. Fast Samsung PM961 NVMe storage ensures excellent responsiveness, while the 1080p display option offers over 10 hours of battery...Read more

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laptopmag.com
03/11/2017
Intel 8th Gen vs 7th Gen CPUs: Kaby Lake Refresh Is a Lot Faster

Intel's 8th Gen "Kaby Lake Refresh" processors deliver a major performance leap, doubling core counts to four in 15-watt U-series chips to achieve up to 91% faster synthetic benchmarks and over 50% faster application loads compared to 7th Gen, according to Laptop Mag. Key advantages include significantly higher multi-threaded performance for video transcoding and office tasks...Read more

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laptopmag.com
20/10/2017
Benchmarked: Dell XPS 13 with 8th Gen Core i7-8550U CPU

The Dell XPS 13 (9360) with 8th Gen Intel Core processors delivers up to 60% faster performance and boasts an "epic" 16-hour battery life. Key pros include the compact, durable chassis, brilliant InfinityEdge display, and versatile ports like Thunderbolt 3. However, notable cons include the subpar "nosecam" webcam placement and limited two-lane PCIe for eGPU support.

H
heise.de
12/10/2018
Matebook X Pro: Huawei's premium laptop put to the test

The Huawei MateBook X Pro (2024) is a premium 14.2-inch laptop weighing only 980 grams, featuring a high-quality flexible OLED touchscreen with 1000 nits peak brightness and 120Hz refresh rate. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9, it manages demanding workloads through an efficient dual-fan cooling system. Key advantages include its premium magnesium alloy build, intuitive haptic...Read more

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notebooks-und-mobiles.de
16/04/2018
HP ProBook 470 G5 (i7-8550U, 930MX) Review

The HP ProBook 470 G5 is a 17-inch business laptop featuring an Intel Core i7-8550U and NVIDIA GeForce 930MX, offering good performance for office tasks and light multimedia. Key strengths include a relatively portable 2.5 kg design, a high-quality keyboard, and excellent serviceability for RAM and storage upgrades. Conversely, the device is limited by a plastic chassis, a...Read more

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netzwelt.de
03/04/2018
Lenovo Yoga 920 Review: A Stylish Reversible Laptop

The Netzwelt review highlights the Lenovo Yoga 920 as a premium 2-in-1 convertible featuring a high-quality aluminum unibody, a signature watchband hinge, and improved usability due to the relocated webcam and addition of Thunderbolt 3 ports. It offers strong performance with 8th-gen Intel processors, vibrant display options, and excellent battery life exceeding 12 hours on the Full...Read more

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N
notebooks-und-mobiles.de
04/12/2017
Dell Inspiron 17 7000 2-in-1 (7773) Review

The Dell Inspiron 17 7773 is a 17.3-inch 2-in-1, featuring a sturdy brushed aluminium chassis that functions primarily as a desktop replacement due to its heavy, ~3kg weight. While the large IPS display offers good brightness and contrast for media consumption, its size makes the tablet and tent modes largely impractical for handheld use. Performance is driven by 8th Gen Intel...Read more

(Translated)Show original
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computerbase.de
27/09/2017
Core i7-8550U & i5-8250U Review: Four CPU Cores at 15 Watts

The ComputerBase review of the Intel Core i7-8550U and i5-8250U highlights a major shift for ultrabooks, as these "Kaby Lake Refresh" chips doubled the core count from two to four within the same 15W Thermal Design Power (TDP). Despite lower base clock speeds, the CPUs deliver a performance leap of roughly 40% over their predecessors, utilizing aggressive Turbo Boost frequencies and...Read more

(Translated)Show original
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notebooks-und-mobiles.de
24/11/2017
Kaby Lake Refresh - Intel Core i7-8550U Review

The Intel Core i7-8550U "Kaby Lake Refresh" significantly boosts ULV performance by doubling core count to four, offering up to 90% higher multi-core performance than its predecessor in short bursts. While delivering strong, responsive performance for daily tasks with a 4.0 GHz boost, the processor is heavily limited by a 15W TDP, often leading to substantial throttling under...Read more

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hardwareluxx.de
27/09/2017
Intel Core i5-8250U and i7-8550U Review - Hardwareluxx

The Hardwareluxx review of the Intel Core i5-8250U and i7-8550U highlights a significant performance leap for thin-and-light laptops, as these 8th-gen "Kaby Lake Refresh" chips double the core count to four within a 15W TDP. The processors offer massive multi-threaded performance gains, with the i7-8550U providing higher boost clocks (4.0 GHz) and more L3 cache than the i5-8250U....Read more

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lemondeinformatique.fr
21/09/2018
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (6th Gen) Review: One of the best professional laptops in its class

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (6th Gen) is lauded as a premier professional ultrabook, combining a lightweight (under 1.13 kg) carbon-fiber design with 8th Gen Intel Core processors, making it ideal for business, according to Le Monde Informatique. Key advantages include its exceptional keyboard, diverse port selection (two Thunderbolt 3 and two USB-A), and bright 500-nit WQHD...Read more

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laptopmedia.com
14/05/2018
Intel Core i7-8550U | LaptopMedia Italy

The Intel Core i7-8550U (Kaby Lake Refresh) marks a significant performance leap for ultra-low voltage chips by doubling the core count to four. This 15W TDP processor provides high-end "HQ" series performance, offering double the multi-threaded power of its predecessor. Key features include a 1.80 GHz base clock, 4.00 GHz Turbo, and Intel UHD Graphics 620. Key advantages include...Read more

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andreagaleazzi.com
08/01/2018
Xiaomi Mi Notebook PRO 15.6" i7 8550U REVIEW

Andrea Galeazzi reviews the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro (i7-8550U) as a high-performance, premium-built aluminum machine, noting excellent thermals and strong 4K video editing capabilities thanks to the i7-8550U processor and NVIDIA MX150 GPU. The device features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, a large, precise trackpad with a fingerprint sensor, and high-quality, loud Harman Kardon...Read more

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hardware.info
27/11/2018
Huawei MateBook X Pro and MateBook D review: 3:2 vs 16:9 display

The Hardware Info review compares the flagship Huawei MateBook X Pro and the MateBook D, highlighting the functional differences between the X Pro’s 3:2 aspect ratio and the D's 16:9/16:10 format. The 3:2 screen on the MateBook X Pro provides significantly more vertical space for productivity. Conversely, the MateBook D is better optimized for media consumption, reducing black bars...Read more

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tweakers.net
27/09/2018
AMD Ryzen vs. Intel: Lenovo Yoga 530 Laptops Compared

This Tweakers review compares AMD Ryzen and Intel versions of the Lenovo Yoga 530, highlighting that while Intel models were previous "Best Buys," AMD's Ryzen 5 2500U and 7 2700U offer superior integrated graphics performance through Radeon RX Vega, making them better for light gaming. While offering better value and multi-core performance, the AMD model is disadvantaged by shorter...Read more

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tweakers.net
21/08/2017
Kaby Lake Refresh Preview: Efficient 15W Quad-Cores for Laptops

The Tweakers review of Intel's Kaby Lake Refresh (8th Gen U-series) highlights a significant architectural shift, bringing quad-core processors to 15W laptops. This enables up to 40% higher performance in multi-threaded tasks, such as video rendering and heavy multitasking, compared to previous dual-core, 15W counterparts. Key advantages include improved multi-threaded efficiency...Read more

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