Core i5-2500K

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i5-2500K

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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%

View full ranking →

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%

View full ranking →

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%

View full ranking →

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%

View full ranking →

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.
Frequently Compared

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AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 31 views

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X 31 views

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 29 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 29 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4110 29 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4109T 29 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4116T 29 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4214 29 views

AMD EPYC 7452 26 views

Intel Core i5-2500K

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i5-2500K
Model Number: i5-2500K
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: Up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics 3000
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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