Celeron N5095A vs Core i5-2500

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Celeron N5095A vs Core i5-2500 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Celeron N5095A vs Core i5-2500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Celeron N5095A

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 95W, a 94W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-2500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,054 vs 4,102).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2500.

Core i5-2500

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Celeron N5095A needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Celeron N5095A.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $294 MSRP, while Celeron N5095A mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6233.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 1.5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2500 better than Celeron N5095A?

Yes. Core i5-2500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-2500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-2500 is the better buy right now. Core i5-2500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $294 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron N5095A makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N5095A vs Core i5-2500 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Celeron N5095A

The Celeron N5095A is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,054 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-2500

The Core i5-2500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,102 points. Launch price was $85.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron N5095A and Core i5-2500 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Celeron N5095A versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500 — a 24.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Celeron N5095A uses the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i5-2500 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N5095A scores 4,054 against the Core i5-2500's 4,102 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-2500. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N5095A vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500.

Feature	Celeron N5095A	Core i5-2500
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.7 GHz+28%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.3 GHz+65%
L3 Cache	4 MB	6144 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB+500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Jasper Lake (2021)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,054	4,102+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,642
Geekbench 6 Single	—	590
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,690

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N5095A uses the BGA1338 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-2500 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N5095A	Core i5-2500
Socket	BGA1338	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N5095A) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500). The Core i5-2500 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Celeron N5095A requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500 targets Desktop.