Intel Core i7-3770K vs Intel Core i5-2500k

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-3770K or Intel Core i7-3770K – 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 i7-3770K features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2012 and belongs to the 3 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-3770K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
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.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-3770K Name Intel Core i5-2500k
Intel Core i7 Family Intel Core i5
3 Generation 2
Intel Core i 3000 Group Intel Core i 2000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-3770K has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-3770K is 3.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.9 GHz.
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.
3.9 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.7 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.5 GHz Frequency 3.3 GHz
8 Threads 4
3.9 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 3.7 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading No
4 CPU Cores 4
4x Cores 4x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-3770K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-3770K uses the Intel HD Graphics 4000, which has 128 texture shaders
and 16 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
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.
0.65 GHz GPU frequency 0.85 GHz
Q1/2011 Release date Q1/2011
11.0 Direct X 10.1
Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU name Intel HD Graphics 3000
22 nm Technology 32 nm
-- Max. displays --
128 Shaders 96
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
16 Execution units 12
7 Generation 6
1.15 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.1 GHz
 
 

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 / Encode
Decode VC-1 Decode
No VP9 No
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
No VP8 No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode JPEG No
No AV1 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 25.6 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
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 32.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
25.6 GB/s Bandwidth 21.3 GB/s
DDR3-1600 Memory type DDR3-1333
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 77 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 95 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
77 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 95 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-3770K is manufactured using a 22 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-2500k is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
Q2/2012 Release date Q1/2011
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Ivy Bridge S Architecture Sandy Bridge S
22 nm Technology 32 nm
LGA 1155 Socket LGA 1155
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
275 $ Release price --
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
8.0 MB L3-Cache 6.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
14944
14944
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
9970
9970

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
3782
3782
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
3158
3158

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
3409
3409
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
2537
2537

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
2527
2527
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
1948
1948

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
1866
1866
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
1336
1336

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
1391
1391
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
894
894

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
778.7
778.7
Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
597.4
597.4

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
737
737
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
651
651

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
672
672
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
461
461

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
286
286
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
262
262

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i7-3770K
4C 8T @ 3.5 GHz
137
137
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
127
127