Intel Core i5 2500K 3.3GHz Socket 1155

Overview

The Intel Core i5 2500K operates at 3.30GHz and can reach as high as 3.70GHz when using Turbo Boost.It features a 6MB L3 cache and uses the HD Graphics 3000 engine.

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 28 expert reviews

Excellent:

25
Good:

3
Average:

0
Bad:

0

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Last revision on August 22, 2017

Reviewers Liked

Good media-processing capabilities
Unlocked multiplier for simplified overclocking
Great performance
Blazing fast cache speeds
Intel Quick sync
InTru 3D
Support for DirectX 10.1
HDMI Audio bitstreaming supported

Reviewers Didn't Like

Does not support Hyper-Threading
Onboard video lacks DirectX 11 support
Requires new motherboard
Limited GPU performance
Drivers not as mature as the ones from ATI or NVIDIA No support for CUDA, PhysX, OpenCL
No Hyperthreading

Competitors and Related Products

Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets.

Expert reviews and ratings

Although the new Sandy Bridge architecture may not be revolutionary, it is a much improved version of Nehalem as it seems to do everything a little better. When compared to the Clarkdale Core i5 661 processor which we reviewed exactly a year ago, the...

By TechSpot on January 03, 2011

100

A brand-new core design enables the chips to do more at a given clock speed than their predecessors. The humble Core i3-2120 runs at a slightly slower 3.3GHz frequency than the mid-range i5-660 from Intel's older 1156 platform, but it achieved higher...

By itnews.com.au on August 08, 2011

The Intel Core i5-2500K offers exceptional value and impressive Sandy Bridge–based performance, but you can (and should) do better than this CPU's integrated graphics. Buy it...

By PC Mag on April 21, 2011

This month for review we received two very eagerly awaited processors from CPU manufacturer Intel. Since AMD, its only real competitor, hasn’t been putting up a fight in this market for about five years now, interesting developments in CPUs have been...

By PCWorld New Zealand on February 03, 2011

The long awaited Sandy Bridge architecture is here and I really think that it was worth the wait. Intel is very excited about this new line of processors and they want you to be too. It is always great to see companies improve on existing products...

By ThinkComputers on January 24, 2011

There’s so many good things about Sandy Bridge, I scarcely know where to begin. First off, it’s a new processor architecture that offers valuable performance enhancements that even the average user will enjoy. This includes the new Intel Turbo...

By FutureLooks on January 16, 2011

Intel's Sandy Bridge processors represent a genuine step forward in chip evolution. Now packing in refined, efficient CPU cores and an improved GPU on to the same portion of silicon, Intel has done away with the need for chipset-based graphics for...

By HEXUS.net on January 07, 2011

Note: This Intel Core i5-2500K review also reviews the Sandy Bridge architecture as a whole, as well as the high-end Intel Core i7-2600K processor.Ready or not, here they come. Intel is rolling out a thoroughly overhauled range of PC processors based...

By TechRadar on January 04, 2011

100

An incredible processor at a very reasonable price; if you’re building a powerful PC, then buy this chip....

By Expert Reviews on January 03, 2011

Performance Personified. A stunning new...

By Kitguru.net on January 03, 2011

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Intel Core i5 2500K 3.3GHz Socket 1155

Overview

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Price: $234

TechSpot Metascore

Reviewers Liked

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Competitors and Related Products

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Intel Core i5 760 2.8GHz Socket 1156

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Expert reviews and ratings