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Intel

Core i5-2500

▲ 621,069 ▼

4 Cores, 4 Threads @3.3 GHz, Sandy Bridge.
Release date ≤ Q4 2013.

Average Bench: 62.9% (535th of 1442)

more Based on 82,538 user benchmarks.  Devices: BFEBFBFF000206A7, , 0000000000000000, 1FABFBFF000206A7, BFEBFBFF000206A6 Models: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500 CPU @ 3.30GHz, Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500 CPU @ 3.30GHz
Poor: 47%Average: 62.9% Great: 72%
Gaming
Gaming 63%
Destroyer
Desktop
Desktop 68%
Battle cruiser
Workstation
Workstation 46%
Yacht

Popular builds with this CPU

Above average average bench

The Intel Core i5-2500 averaged 37.1% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 80.2Pts
Avg. Single Core Speed 83.1Pts

Good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i5-2500 is 25.3%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i5-2500 performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 282Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 279Pts
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Average Bench

(Based on 82,538 samples)
Rank 53562.9%
Min Avg Max
61.5 Memory 80.2 91.5
48.4 1-Core 83.1 92.4
90.4 2-Core 162 181
63.9% 108 Pts
Min Avg Max
154 4-Core 262 327
179 8-Core 279 334
35.8% 271 Pts
Min Avg Max
170 64-Core 282 334
17.4% 282 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
76.9% Very good
Memory 94.4
1-Core 90.3
2-Core 179
72% 121 Pts
4-Core 345
8-Core 345
46% 345 Pts
64-Core 345
21% 345 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
74.3% Very good
Memory 90.7
1-Core 89.9
2-Core 177
71% 119 Pts
4-Core 335
8-Core 339
45% 337 Pts
64-Core 336
21% 336 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
73.5% Very good
Memory 87.1
1-Core 90
2-Core 177
70% 118 Pts
4-Core 347
8-Core 347
46% 347 Pts
64-Core 343
21% 343 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
71.7% Very good
Memory 83.2
1-Core 89.1
2-Core 178
68% 117 Pts
4-Core 349
8-Core 349
47% 349 Pts
64-Core 349
22% 349 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
70.5% Very good
Memory 84.2
1-Core 90.9
2-Core 179
69% 118 Pts
4-Core 328
8-Core 339
44% 334 Pts
64-Core 337
21% 337 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
68.7% Good
Memory 84.2
1-Core 90.1
2-Core 179
69% 118 Pts
4-Core 304
8-Core 341
42% 322 Pts
64-Core 343
21% 343 Pts
CPU 1, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
67.7% Good
Memory 90.6
1-Core 88.3
2-Core 172
70% 117 Pts
4-Core 262
8-Core 255
35% 258 Pts
64-Core 274
17% 274 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 4 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
36% Below average
Memory 30
1-Core 87.5
2-Core 166
49% 94.6 Pts
4-Core 247
8-Core 216
32% 231 Pts
64-Core 161
10% 161 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 3 cores, 3 threads
Base clock 3.3 GHz, turbo 3.3 GHz (avg)
27.5% Poor
Memory 49.4
1-Core 18.6
2-Core 24.5
23% 30.8 Pts
4-Core 35.3
8-Core 33.1
5% 34.2 Pts
64-Core 41
2% 41 Pts
82,538 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 67,763,253 CPUs tested

Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

CHOOSE A COMPONENT:

CPU GPU SSD HDD RAM MBD
Typical Core i5-2500 Builds (Compare 3,964 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 6%
Tree trunk
Desktop
Desktop 58%
Gunboat
Workstation
Workstation 6%
Tree trunk

Motherboard: Dell OptiPlex 990

CPU
Core i5-2500IntelBench 63%, 82,538 samples691x
GPU
HD 2000 (Desktop 1.1 GHz)IntelBench 1%, 150,891 samples766x
GT 1030NvidiaBench 14%, 185,384 samples324x
GTX 1050-TiNvidia  $59Bench 29%, 946,701 samples303x
SSD
A400 240GBKingston  $28Bench 66%, 424,288 samples176x
860 Evo 500GBSamsung  $80Bench 105%, 762,998 samples74x
A400 480GBKingston  $38Bench 74%, 237,487 samples71x
RAM
M378B5273DH0-CH9 2x4GBSamsungBench 48%, 11,003 samples67x
HMT351U6CFR8C-H9 2x4GBHynixBench 48%, 7,511 samples60x
HMT351U6CFR8C-H9 4x4GBHynixBench 48%, 2,925 samples60x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 22% - Poor Total price: $28

Popular Core i5-2500 compatible motherboards:

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Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.

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Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) April 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]

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Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i5-2500 Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.70 GHz)
Code NameSandy Bridge
Launch DateQ1'11
Processor Numberi5-2500
# of Cores4
# of Threads4
Cache6 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set64-bit
Instruction Set ExtensionsSSE4.1/4.2, AVX
Embedded Options AvailableNo
Lithography32 nm
Recommended PriceN/A
Clock Speed3.3 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency3.7 GHz
Bus Speed5 GT/s DMI
Max TDP95 W
Expected DiscontinuanceQ1'2013

Graphics

Processor GraphicsIntel® HD Graphics 2000
Graphics Base Frequency850 MHz
Wireless DisplayNo
# of Displays Supported2
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency1.1 GHz
Quick Sync VideoYes
InTru 3D TechYes
Clear Video HD TechYes
Intel InsiderYes
Flexible Display InterfaceYes

Memory

Max Memory Size32 GB
Memory TypesDDR3 1066/1333
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth21 GB/s
ECC Memory SupportedNo

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision2.0
Max # of PCI Express Lanes16

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsYes

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes
Turbo Boost Tech2.0
Hyper-Threading TechNo
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)Yes
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
vPro TechYes
Identity Protection TechYes
Fast Memory AccessYes
Flex Memory AccessYes

Package

Package Size37.5mm x 37.5mm
Max CPU Configuration1
Sockets SupportedLGA1155

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
Trusted Execution TechYes

 Comments

Added n/a ago.
USA-User
Avatar level
9,840

Terrible (edit your comment) Add link

10 months ago.

GBR-User
Avatar level
5,782

Average

12 months ago.

very good cpu in 2019 for price

DEU-User
Avatar level
5,743

Poor

4 months ago.

@ 4.3GHz - MB Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 rev 2.0 - GC Gigabyte GTX 660 Windforce - RAM 24 GB DDR3

FRA-User
Avatar level
4,573

Good

13 months ago.

Yeah ok it wont connect to some GPU...

POL-User
Avatar level
4,568

Terrible

9 months ago.

It's old. It's not the most power-efficient CPU today. But it has 4 full cores and it's dirt cheap. Using it in my 24/7 server since 2017.

MEX-User
Avatar level
3,728

Poor

22 months ago.

juegos del 2017 para abajo todo en ultra a 1080p 60fps. En los actuales ya se queda cortito.

VNM-User
Avatar level
3,707

Good

4 months ago.

CPU still great performance in 2018

PHL-User
Avatar level
3,370

Excellent

3 months ago.

best cpu ever it serve me for 10 years

PAK-User
Avatar level
3,302

Good

2 months ago.

in 2024 still powerful enough on windows 10 it is still performing great.i paired it with my gtx 1060 and I have played rdr 2 gow on 60 fps. Still I have no need of wasting my 250$$ on latest processors.it is still enough for all of my needs at great speed.

ARG-User
Avatar level
3,228

Poor

2 years ago.

A very good option for budget gaming in Latin America

FIN-User
Avatar level
2,544

Average

3 years ago.

Good CPU, i still use it for gaming @1080p

DNK-User
Avatar level
2,212

Excellent

1 month ago.

i use it for rendering and its grate.

LKA-User
Avatar level
1,906

Excellent

9 months ago.

It gave me huge performance over my i3-2100 CPU..I guess it was a worth upgrade for my little pc

TUN-User
Avatar level
1,434

Excellent

6 years ago.

optimal performance + stable at all times

CYP-User
Avatar level
1,354

Excellent

3 years ago.

this cpu is so faster at 3.3ghz 3.7ghz oll core it has got 144 fps in low grafiks at fortnite

KAZ-User
Avatar level
1,258

Poor

4 years ago.

IntelR Core(TM)i5-2500 CRU @ 3-30GHz 3-30 GHz

BurntTech
Avatar level
42

Excellent

5 years ago.

This had the best price point for a long time and worked well for that money

XxAdyxX98
Avatar level
8

Average

5 years ago.

A good cpu , even though not overclockable , paired with a good gpu it can handle most games at decent setting

nieXas
Avatar level
4

Good

5 years ago.

too much power

Redill_
Avatar level
4

Excellent

3 years ago.

still pretty good for most games

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Speed Comparisons

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See how consistently different CPUs perform with varying real world conditions. The charts also illustrate overall performance, popularity and rank.

 Frequently Asked Questions

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 Best User Rated
The Best.
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $269Nvidia RTX 4060 $295Crucial MX500 250GB $40
Intel Core i5-12400F $133Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $178Nvidia RTX 4070 $539Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52
HDDRAMUSB
Seagate Barracuda 1TB (2016) $39Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 C16 2x8GB $40SanDisk Extreme 64GB $72
WD Blue 1TB (2012) $37Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3000 C15 2x8GB $43SanDisk Extreme 32GB $28
Seagate Barracuda 2TB (2016) $51G.SKILL Trident Z DDR4 3200 C14 4x16GB $351SanDisk Ultra Fit 32GB $16
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