Core i5-2500K Benchmarks & Performance Report

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

4,668 Rank: 1135

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1131	Core i3-6100E	4,673	+0.1%
1132	Core i3-6100U	4,673	+0.1%
1133	Core i7-4510U	4,672	+0.1%
1134	Intel Core i3-7020U	4,670	+0%
1135	Core i5-2500K	4,668
1136	Xeon W3670	4,668	+0%
1137	Core i7-5600U	4,666	+-0%
1138	A10-9700	4,665	-0.1%
1139	Core i5-2310	4,664	-0.1%
1140	Core i5 760	4,662	-0.1%

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Multicore Score

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

4,625 Rank: 1057

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1053	Core i7-2715QE	4,627	+0%
1054	Xeon W3565	4,627	+0%
1055	Core i7-2675QM	4,626	+0%
1056	Pentium Gold G5500T	4,625	+0%
1057	Core i5-2500K	4,625
1058	Turion II Neo N40L	4,625	+0%
1059	Xeon E3-1230	4,623	+-0%
1060	Intel Pentium P6300	4,621	-0.1%
1061	Core i3-2375M	4,621	-0.1%
1062	Xeon X3450	4,621	-0.1%

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Singlecore Score

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

4,697 Rank: 1149

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
1145	Xeon E5-2670	4,708	+0.2%
1146	Core M-5Y51	4,703	+0.1%
1147	Xeon E5-2670 v2	4,701	+0.1%
1148	EPYC 7301	4,699	+0%
1149	Core i5-2500K	4,697
1150	Xeon W3570	4,695	+-0%
1151	Pentium G3258	4,694	-0.1%
1152	FX-4130	4,692	-0.1%
1153	Core i5-2400S	4,689	-0.2%
1154	Core i7-3940XM	4,688	-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 i5-2500K based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,606 Rank: 953

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
949	Xeon D-1518	4,607	+0%
950	Core i5-3330S	4,607	+0%
951	Xeon W3550	4,607	+0%
952	Xeon X5560	4,607	+0%
953	Core i5-2500K	4,606
954	Core i7-950	4,606	+0%
955	Core i7-2820QM	4,605	+-0%
956	Xeon E3-1220	4,605	+-0%
957	Core i3-9100TE	4,604	+-0%
958	Core i7-870	4,603	-0.1%

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Data Processing

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

4,583 Rank: 950

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
946	Core i5-6440HQ	4,585	+0%
947	Xeon W3570	4,585	+0%
948	Core i3-1115G4E	4,584	+0%
949	Xeon W-2102	4,583	+0%
950	Core i5-2500K	4,583
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	+-0%

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Physics & Compute

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

4,610 Rank: 935

Rank	Name	Score	Visual
931	Core i3-6300	4,612	+0%
932	Xeon X5677	4,612	+0%
933	Core i3-7300T	4,611	+0%
934	Core i7-7560U	4,610	+0%
935	Core i5-2500K	4,610
936	Core i5-3450S	4,610	+0%
937	Core i5-3350P	4,610	+0%
938	Core i3-1005G1	4,609	+-0%
939	Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U	4,609	+-0%
940	Ryzen 5 2500U	4,609	+-0%

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Core i5-2500K Details

The Core i5-2500K ranks at #1135 in overall performance among 2060 processors, with a score of 4668, placing it just ahead of the Core i5-2310 and slightly behind the Core i7-5600U. While this processor is no longer competitive in today's high-performance landscape, it remains notable for its overclocking capabilities and the fact that it was one of the first mainstream Intel CPUs to feature an unlocked multiplier. Released in early 2011, the i5-2500K is now over 13 years old, which makes its performance in modern benchmarks particularly impressive for its era.

Built on Intel's 32 nm process and based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture, the i5-2500K features four cores and four threads, running at a base frequency of 3.3 GHz with a turbo boost up to 3.7 GHz. It supports DDR3-1333 memory with a maximum capacity of 32 GB and operates on the LGA1155 socket, which was widely used in 2nd and 3rd generation Intel platforms. The CPU’s 95 W TDP reflects its power efficiency for a quad-core processor of its time, though it generates significant heat under sustained load, especially when overclocked.

Integrated graphics are provided by the Intel HD Graphics 3000, which supports up to two displays and features a base frequency of 850 MHz with a burst frequency of 1.1 GHz. While not suitable for modern gaming or GPU-intensive tasks, it was adequate for basic multimedia and office use. The processor also includes a range of advanced features such as AVX2, AES-NI, and Intel VT-x, making it capable of handling virtualization and encryption workloads effectively.

In single-core performance, the i5-2500K scores 4697, placing it at #1149 out of 2060 processors, indicating strong per-thread performance that was competitive in its day. However, its multicore score of 4625 ranks it at #1056, showing a more modest scaling efficiency compared to modern multi-core designs. This gap is evident when comparing it to current leaders like the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX, which scores over 12,000 in multicore benchmarks.

As of March 2026, the Core i5-2500K is best suited for legacy systems, retro builds, or as a budget option in non-demanding environments such as basic office computing or media playback. Its lack of modern instruction sets like AVX-512 and limited memory bandwidth (21 GB/s) make it unsuitable for demanding applications like video editing or 3D rendering. Nevertheless, its affordability and overclocking potential continue to make it a favorite among enthusiasts with older hardware.