Intel Core i5-2500 vs Intel Core i5-2500k. Specifications, performance, tests

Comprehensive background on the processors being compared, detailing their series, generation, and targeted market segment.

• Segment
  Desktop / Server Desktop / Server
• Family
  Intel Core i5 Intel Core i5
• Generation
  2 2
• CPU group
  Intel Core i 2000 Intel Core i 2000

Essential parameters including the number of cores, threads, base and turbo frequencies, and cache size. These metrics provide insight into the processor’s speed—higher values generally indicate better performance.

• Frequency
  3.30 GHz 3.30 GHz
• CPU Cores
  4 4
• Turbo (1 Core)
  3.70 GHz 3.70 GHz
• CPU Threads
  4 4
• Turbo (4 Cores)
  No turbo 3.70 GHz
• Hyperthreading
  No No
• Overclocking
  No Yes
• Core architecture
  normal normal

The integrated graphics (iGPU) do not influence the CPU performance significantly; they serve as a substitute for a dedicated graphics card in the absence of one or are utilized in mobile devices.

• GPU name
  Intel HD Graphics 2000 Intel HD Graphics 3000
• GPU frequency
  0.85 GHz 0.85 GHz
• GPU (Turbo)
  1.10 GHz 1.10 GHz
• Execution units
  6 12
• Shader
  48 96
• Max. displays
  2 2
• Generation
  6 6
• DirectX Version
  10.1 10.1
• Technology
  32 nm 32 nm
• Release date
  Q1/2011 Q1/2011

This section details the built-in codecs used for encoding and decoding media content, which significantly enhance processing speed and efficiency.

• h265 / HEVC (8 bit)
  No No
• h265 / HEVC (10 bit)
  No No
• h264
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• VP9
  No No
• VP8
  No No
• AV1
  No No
• AVC
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• VC-1
  Decode Decode
• JPEG
  No No

Overview of the types and quantities of RAM supported by Intel Core i5-2500k and Intel Core i5-2500. The supported memory frequencies may vary depending on the motherboard configuration.

• Memory type
  DDR3-1333
• Max. Memory
  32 GB 32 GB
• ECC
  No No
• Memory channels
  2 2
• PCIe version
  2.0 2.0
• PCIe lanes
  16 16

• AES-NI
  Yes Yes

Analyze the TDP (Thermal Design Power) requirements of Intel Core i5-2500 and Intel Core i5-2500k to make an informed decision on the appropriate cooling system. Remember that TDP refers to thermal watts, not electrical watts.

• TDP (PL1)
  95 W 95 W

Information on architecture, interfaces, and additional instructions supported by Intel Core i5-2500 and Intel Core i5-2500k, including virtual machine technologies and fabrication processes.

• Instruction set (ISA)
  x86-64 (64 bit) x86-64 (64 bit)
• Virtualization
  VT-x, VT-x EPT VT-x, VT-x EPT
• ISA extensions
  SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
• L3-Cache
  6.00 MB 6.00 MB
• Architecture
  Sandy Bridge S Sandy Bridge S
• Technology
  32 nm 32 nm
• Socket
  LGA 1155 LGA 1155
• Release date
  Q1/2011 Q1/2011