Core i5-2500

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i5-2500

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Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i5-2500 based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,576 Rank: 1213
Rank Name Score Visual
1209 Athlon PRO 3045B 4,580
+0.1%
1210 FX-6300 4,579
+0.1%
1211 Core M 5Y10 4,578
+0%
1212 Core i3-2130 4,578
+0%
1213 Core i5-2500 4,576
1214 Phenom II X6 1100T 4,576
+0%
1215 Athlon II X4 651 4,573
-0.1%
1216 Xeon E3-1235 4,572
-0.1%
1217 Xeon W3580 4,571
-0.1%
1218 Core i5-3320M 4,570
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i5-2500 based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,615 Rank: 1066
Rank Name Score Visual
1062 Xeon X3450 4,621
+0.1%
1063 Pentium G4500 4,620
+0.1%
1064 Core i7-6567U 4,620
+0.1%
1065 Core i5-7260U 4,620
+0.1%
1066 Core i5-2500 4,615
1067 Pentium G4620 4,614
+-0%
1068 FX-6120 4,613
+-0%
1069 Phenom II X6 1075T 4,613
+-0%
1070 Xeon E5645 4,613
+-0%
1071 Core i3-2377M 4,612
-0.1%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i5-2500 based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,550 Rank: 1250
Rank Name Score Visual
1246 Xeon E3-1225 4,556
+0.1%
1247 Pentium G3250T 4,555
+0.1%
1248 Xeon E5-2650L v4 4,553
+0.1%
1249 Core i7-990X 4,553
+0.1%
1250 Core i5-2500 4,550
1251 A8-9600 4,550
+0%
1252 Core i7-2675QM 4,549
+-0%
1253 A10-5800B 4,549
+-0%
1254 Core i5-3437U 4,544
-0.1%
1255 Phenom 9950 4,543
-0.2%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i5-2500 based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,600 Rank: 963
Rank Name Score Visual
959 Xeon X5550 4,602
+0%
960 Core i7-940 4,602
+0%
961 Core i5-6442EQ 4,601
+0%
962 Xeon W3530 4,601
+0%
963 Core i5-2500 4,600
964 Core i7-2920XM 4,600
+0%
965 Xeon W3540 4,600
+0%
966 Xeon E5640 4,599
+-0%
967 Core i5-6400T 4,598
+-0%
968 Core i7-860 4,598
+-0%

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i5-2500 based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,581 Rank: 955
Rank Name Score Visual
951 Core i7-950 4,583
+0%
952 Phenom II X6 1045T 4,583
+0%
953 Pentium Gold G5620 4,582
+0%
954 Core i5-4430 4,582
+0%
955 Core i5-2500 4,581
956 Core i5-4460S 4,581
+0%
957 Core i5-3450S 4,581
+0%
958 Core i3-7320 4,580
+-0%
959 Core i3-7101E 4,580
+-0%
960 Xeon X5560 4,580
+-0%

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Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i5-2500 based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,598 Rank: 969
Rank Name Score Visual
965 Pentium 6805 4,601
+0.1%
966 Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 4,600
+0%
967 Core i5-3330 4,600
+0%
968 Core i3-6100 4,599
+0%
969 Core i5-2500 4,598
970 Core i7-2760QM 4,597
+-0%
971 Core i5-6267U 4,596
+-0%
972 Ryzen 3 2300U 4,596
+-0%
973 Xeon E3-1260L 4,596
+-0%
974 Xeon E3-1225 4,596
+-0%

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Core i5-2500 Details

The Core i5-2500, released by Intel in 2011, represents a significant step in the evolution of mainstream desktop processors, bridging the gap between performance and efficiency during the early days of the Sandy Bridge era. While it is now considered a legacy component by modern standards, its architecture and performance metrics were once competitive in the mid-tier segment. As of March 2026, the processor is over 14 years old, placing it well beyond typical product lifecycles, and its relevance is largely confined to retro computing, legacy systems, or budget builds where cost and compatibility outweigh raw performance.

Built on Intel's 32 nm process, the Core i5-2500 features a quad-core design with four threads, running at a base frequency of 3.3 GHz and capable of boosting up to 3.7 GHz via Turbo Boost. It is designed for the LGA1155 socket, supporting DDR3 1066/1333 memory across two channels, with a maximum memory capacity of 32 GB. The CPU delivers a maximum memory bandwidth of 21 GB/s and operates at a TDP of 95 W, making it suitable for standard desktop chassis with adequate cooling. Its PCIe 2.0 support enables flexible expansion with configurations like 1x16, 2x8, 1x8, and 2x4 lanes.

The integrated HD Graphics 2000 GPU, while modest by today's standards, features a base frequency of 850 MHz and a burst frequency of up to 1.1 GHz. It supports up to two displays and is capable of handling light multimedia tasks and basic gaming, though it lacks the power for modern graphics-intensive applications. Despite its age, the i5-2500 benefits from a range of advanced features, including AES-NI, AVX2, SSE4.1, and SSE4.2, along with virtualization technologies such as VT-x and VT-d, as well as Intel's vPro and TXT capabilities, which enhance security and manageability in enterprise environments.

In benchmark testing, the Core i5-2500 achieves an overall score of 4576, placing it at rank #1213 among 2060 CPUs. Its single-core performance scores 4550, ranking #1250, while its multicore score reaches 4615, placing it at #1066. These results show that while the CPU remains competitive against some older and lower-tier processors, it falls significantly behind modern offerings. For example, it trails the Core i7-6567U and Core i5-7260U in multicore performance, yet outperforms the Pentium G4620 and FX-6120 in overall throughput. The processor’s strongest category is single-core performance, where it holds a notable edge over several lower-tier and older models.

In conclusion, the Core i5-2500 is best suited for legacy systems, retro builds, or light productivity tasks where integrated graphics and low cost are priorities. While it is no longer competitive in modern computing environments, its robust feature set and historical significance make it a reliable option for niche use cases. For users seeking performance beyond this era, contemporary processors offer vastly superior performance, especially in multi-threaded and memory-intensive workloads.
Frequently Compared

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 4 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 3 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4116 3 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4114 3 views

AMD Ryzen 7 2700E 3 views

Intel Celeron G4900T 3 views

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4214 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4116T 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4112 1 view

Intel Core i5-2500

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i5-2500
Model Number: i5-2500
Cores: 4
Threads: 4
Base Frequency: 3300 MHz
Socket: LGA1155
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 95 W

Cache Specifications

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3 1066/1333
Memory Channels: 2
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 21 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 2.0
PCIe Lanes: 16
PCIe Configuration: 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 2x4

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics 2000
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 1100 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 32 nm
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX2 AES x86-64 HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Secure Key SMEP SIPP IPT TSX Flex Memory FMA
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