Intel Core i5-2500k
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Overall score
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Released
Q1/2011
Intel Core i5-2500k

Processor Intel Core i5-2500k, specifications and benchmarks

958 place in the overall ranking CPUs!
The Intel Core i5-2500k processor is installed in LGA 1155 socket boards and operates at a frequency of 3.30 GHz. The Intel Core i5-2500k has a total of 4 cores. Release date: Q1/2011. TDP is 95 W. This review will provide all the technical specifications and detailed data about the Intel Core i5-2500k processor. Discover everything to determine whether a game or software will run on Intel Core i5-2500k.

Intel Core i5-2500k Specifications

Technical data
CPU Family and Group

This section provides a comprehensive overview of the processors generation and family, explaining the specific market segment it is designed for. It covers key details such as the CPUs position within its product lineup, its intended use cases (e.g., consumer, server, or workstation), and how its generation compares to previous models.

  • Segment
    Desktop / Server
  • Family
  • Generation
    2
  • CPU group
    Intel Core i 2000
  • Predecessor
    --
  • Successor
    --
CPU Technical Specs

Intel Core i5-2500k. This section highlights key performance parameters of the processor, including the number of cores, threads, and clock speeds (base and boost frequencies). These metrics directly impact multitasking capabilities and overall system performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications.

  • Frequency
    3.30 GHz
  • CPU Cores
    4
  • Turbo (1 Core)
    3.70 GHz
  • CPU Threads
    4
  • Turbo (4 Cores)
    3.70 GHz
  • Hyperthreading
    No
  • Overclocking
    Yes
  • Core architecture
    normal
  • A core
    --
  • B core
    --
  • C core
    --
IGPU

This section provides details on the integrated graphics capabilities of the processor. It covers the architecture, performance characteristics, and supported technologies (e.g., DirectX, OpenGL), which are essential for systems without dedicated GPUs or for mobile devices that require energy-efficient graphics processing.

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

This section covers the built-in hardware codec support for video and image processing. The processor’s ability to handle codecs like H.264, HEVC, and VP9 directly influences its performance in tasks such as video playback, editing, and streaming. This hardware acceleration ensures smoother media handling with lower CPU utilization.

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

This section breaks down the technical characteristics of the memory supported by the processor, including the types (e.g., DDR4, DDR5), number of memory channels, and maximum supported memory speed. It also covers PCI Express support, which determines the bandwidth available for GPUs, SSDs, and other peripherals, critical for high-performance systems.

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

This section focuses on the hardware-based security technologies integrated into the processor. These include encryption support features such as AES-NI, Intel SGX, and AMD Secure Memory Encryption, which provide robust protection for sensitive data and help mitigate cybersecurity risks.

  • AES-NI
    Yes
Thermal Management
  • TDP (PL1)
    95 W
  • TDP up
    --
  • TDP (PL2)
    --
  • TDP down
    --
  • Tjunction max.
    --
* see below
Technologies and Extensions

This section explains the underlying technologies that enable the processor to deliver high performance. It includes details about the manufacturing process (e.g., 7nm, 10nm), supported instruction sets (e.g., AVX, SSE), and virtual machine extensions that enhance compatibility and efficiency across various workloads.

  • Instruction set (ISA)
    x86-64 (64 bit)
  • Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-x EPT
  • ISA extensions
    SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
  • L2-Cache
    --
  • L3-Cache
    6.00 MB
  • Architecture
    Sandy Bridge S
  • Technology
    32 nm
  • Socket
    LGA 1155
  • Release date
    Q1/2011
  • Part Number
    --
Positions in all rankings

Common positions Intel Core i5-2500k CPU in popular benchmarks, for comparison with other models.

  • Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)
    364 place
  • Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)
    327 place
  • Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)
    488 place
  • Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)
    415 place
  • Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)
    664 place
  • Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)
    584 place
  • Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)
    740 place
  • Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)
    848 place
  • iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)
    1300 place
  • Blender 2.81 (bmw27)
    25 place
  • Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)
    420 place
  • Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)
    393 place
  • Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Single-Core)
    527 place
  • Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Multi-Core)
    349 place
  • Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (iGPU, OpenGL)
    177 place
  • Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark
    743 place

Intel Core i5-2500k Benchmarks

Performance tests CPU

Compare the benchmark scores of Intel Core i5-2500k with other processors to gauge its real-world performance across various tasks..

These tests encompass tasks such as mathematical calculations, 3D rendering, cryptocurrency mining, and performance evaluations in both single-core and multi-core modes.

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)
Maxon's Cinebench R23 SC is a cross-platform test suite for macOs and Windows uses one CPU core, with no hypetrading
731
716
709
697
Intel Core i5-2500k
Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)
Maxon's Cinebench R23 MC is a cross-platform test suite for macOs and Windows using a multi-core and hyperthreading
2545
2531
2501
2450
Intel Core i5-2500k
Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)
Cinebench R20 SC is a high load CPU test for long tasks on a desktop or notebook PC, uses one CPU core, with no hypetrading
Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)
Cinebench R20 MC is a high load CPU test for long tasks on a desktop or notebook PC, using a multi-core and hyperthreading
Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)
The Cinebench R15 SC stresses the computing modules of a desktop or laptop computer to their limits and accurately determines the key performance parameters of the hardware
128
128
128
127
Intel Core i5-2500k
Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)
The Cinebench R15 MC stresses the computing modules of a desktop or laptop computer to their limits and accurately determines the key performance parameters of the hardware
464
462
462
461
Intel Core i5-2500k
Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)
Geekbench 5 SC is a popular cross-platform performance test for desktop or mobile processors that uses system memory intensively
Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)
Geekbench 5 MC is a popular cross-platform performance test for desktop or mobile processors that uses system memory intensively
2684
2684
2684
2679
Intel Core i5-2500k
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)
The performance of the iGPU - the internal GPU in games
213
213
213
211
Intel Core i5-2500k
Blender 2.81 (bmw27)
Blender is Open Source Software, creating predefined 3D scenes and measuring the time to execute them
740.7
741.6
764.2
778.7
Intel Core i5-2500k
Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)
Geekbench 3 SC for one CPU core, includes stress tests simulating real 3D scenarios for Windows, Mac, Linux, Ansroid, iOS
3175
3174
3173
3158
Intel Core i5-2500k
Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)
Geekbench 3 MC using a multi-core and hyperthreading, includes stress tests simulating real 3D scenarios for Windows, Mac, Linux, Ansroid, iOS
10114
10070
9985
9970
Intel Core i5-2500k
Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Single-Core)
The PC CPU and GPU test involves rendering a specific 3D scene in single-core mode, based on CINEMA 4D
1.55
1.55
1.55
1.54
Intel Core i5-2500k
Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Multi-Core)
The PC CPU and GPU test involves rendering a specific 3D scene in multi-core mode and hyperthreading, based on CINEMA 4D
5.5
5.5
5.42
5.42
Intel Core i5-2500k
Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (iGPU, OpenGL)
The iGPU test involves rendering a specific 3D scene, based on CINEMA 4D
22.7
22.5
22.4
22.4
Intel Core i5-2500k
Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark
PassMark is a test suite that performs complex mathematical calculations to determine CPU performance on file compression, encryption and physics-related tasks
6452
6452
6408
6405
Intel Core i5-2500k

Synonyms

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*

PL1 - The power limit (in watts) generated by the processor (or GPU) during sustained, standard operation. It represents the typical thermal output during normal workloads.

PL2 - Represents the maximum power limit under heavy load or overclocking conditions. It indicates the thermal output during peak performance.

These values are essential for determining the optimal cooling system and power supply required to maintain stable performance.

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Intel Core i5-2500k

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