Intel Core i5-2500k vs AMD A8-5600K

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i5-2500k or Intel Core i5-2500k – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i5-2500k features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-2500k, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
The AMD A8-5600K features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2012 and belongs to the 2 generation of the AMD A series.
To use the AMD A8-5600K, you'll need a motherboard with a FM2 socket.
Intel Core i 2000 Group AMD A8-5000
2 Generation 2
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i5-2500k Name AMD A8-5600K
Intel Core i5 Family AMD A
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i5-2500k has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-2500k is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.7 GHz.
The AMD A8-5600K has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD A8-5600K is 3.6 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.9 GHz.
4 Threads 4
4x Cores 4x
4 CPU Cores 4
normal Core architecture normal
No Hyperthreading No
Yes Overclocking Yes
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.9 GHz
3.3 GHz Frequency 3.6 GHz
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 3.9 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i5-2500k has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-2500k uses the Intel HD Graphics 3000, which has 96 texture shaders
and 12 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The AMD A8-5600K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the AMD A8-5600K uses the AMD Radeon HD 7560D, which has 256 texture shaders
and 4 execution units.
96 Shaders 256
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2012
32 nm Technology 32 nm
10.1 Direct X 11
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
-- Max. displays --
12 Execution units 4
0.85 GHz GPU frequency 0.76 GHz
6 Generation 4
1.1 GHz GPU (Turbo) --
Intel HD Graphics 3000 GPU name AMD Radeon HD 7560D
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
No VP8 No
Decode VC-1 Decode
No JPEG Decode / Encode
No AV1 No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode / Encode AVC Decode
Decode / Encode h264 Decode
No VP9 No
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR3-1866
No ECC No
32.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
2 Memory channels 2
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth --
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 100 W watts.
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 100 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i5-2500k is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD A8-5600K is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2012
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization AMD-V
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, FMA3, FMA4
32 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design --
-- Release price 95 $
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Trinity (Piledriver)
6.0 MB L3-Cache 4.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 1155 Socket FM2
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
9970
9970
AMD A8-5600K
4C 4T @ 3.6 GHz
4513
4513

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
4155
4155
AMD A8-5600K
4C 4T @ 3.6 GHz
2799
2799

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
3158
3158
AMD A8-5600K
4C 4T @ 3.6 GHz
2011
2011

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
2537
2537
AMD A8-5600K
4C 4T @ 3.6 GHz
1396
1396

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
1336
1336
AMD A8-5600K
4C 4T @ 3.6 GHz
711
711

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
894
894
AMD A8-5600K
4C 4T @ 3.6 GHz
611
611

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
760
760
AMD A8-5600K
4C 4T @ 3.6 GHz
501
501

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
461
461
AMD A8-5600K
4C 4T @ 3.6 GHz
280
280

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
262
262
AMD A8-5600K
4C 4T @ 3.6 GHz
193
193