Intel Core i5-2500k vs AMD Phenom II X4 B97

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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 Phenom II X4 B97 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2010 and belongs to the 4 generation of the AMD Phenom II series.
To use the AMD Phenom II X4 B97, you'll need a motherboard with a AM3 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i5-2500k Name AMD Phenom II X4 B97
Intel Core i5 Family AMD Phenom II
2 Generation 4
Intel Core i 2000 Group AMD Phenom II - 800/900
 
 

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 Phenom II X4 B97 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Phenom II X4 B97 is 3.2 GHz
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.3 GHz Frequency 3.2 GHz
4 Threads 4
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
No Hyperthreading No
4 CPU Cores 4
4x Cores 4x
 
 

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 Phenom II X4 B97 does not have integrated graphics.
0.85 GHz GPU frequency --
Q1/2011 Release date --
10.1 Direct X --
Intel HD Graphics 3000 GPU name
32 nm Technology --
-- Max. displays --
96 Shaders --
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
12 Execution units --
6 Generation --
1.1 GHz GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

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.
Decode / Encode AVC --
Decode VC-1 --
No VP9 --
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
Decode / Encode h264 --
No VP8 --
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
No JPEG --
No AV1 --
 
 

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.
2 Memory channels 2
32.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI No
No ECC No
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth --
DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR3-1333, DDR2-1066
 
 

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.
-- Tjunction max --
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 95 W
 
 

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 Phenom II X4 B97 is manufactured using a 45 nm process.
Q1/2011 Release date Q2/2010
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization AMD-V
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE3, SSE4a
Monolithic Chip design --
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Deneb (K10)
32 nm Technology 45 nm
LGA 1155 Socket AM3
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
-- Release price --
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
6.0 MB L3-Cache 6.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
9970
9970
AMD Phenom II X4 B97
4C 4T @ 3.2 GHz
5984
5984

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
3158
3158
AMD Phenom II X4 B97
4C 4T @ 3.2 GHz
1709
1709

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
461
461
AMD Phenom II X4 B97
4C 4T @ 3.2 GHz
324
324