CPU
GPU
Core i3-1110G4
Core i5-2500K
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-1110G4 is positioned at rank 985 and the Core i5-2500K is on rank 828, so the Core i5-2500K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-1110G4
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-1110G4 | Core i5-2500K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) / 10 nm SuperFin) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-1110G4 | Core i5-2500K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-1110G4 and Core i5-2500K
Core i3-1110G4
The Core i3-1110G4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1598. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,160 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i5-2500K
The Core i5-2500K 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: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,141 points. Launch price was $216.
Processing Power
The Core i3-1110G4 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2500K offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2500K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1110G4 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500K — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-1110G4 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i3-1110G4 uses the Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i5-2500K uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1110G4 scores 4,160 against the Core i5-2500K's 4,141 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-1110G4. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,491 vs 684, a 74.2% lead for the Core i3-1110G4 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i3-1110G4 | Core i5-2500K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+5% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz | 3.3 GHz+83% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 10 nm SuperFin-69% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Tiger Lake-UP4 (2020−2021) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,160 | 4,141 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 3,200 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,491+118% | 684 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 2,032 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-1110G4 uses the FCBGA1598 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i5-2500K uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4x-4267 on the Core i3-1110G4 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2500K — the Core i3-1110G4 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Core i3-1110G4) vs 16 (Core i5-2500K) — the Core i5-2500K offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i3-1110G4 | Core i5-2500K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1598 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0+100% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR4x-4267+33% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 4 | 16+300% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i5-2500K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i3-1110G4 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1110G4) vs VT-x (Core i5-2500K). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48 EU) (Core i3-1110G4) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2500K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1110G4 targets Thin & Light Laptop, Core i5-2500K targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i3-1110G4 rivals Ryzen 3 4300U; Core i5-2500K rivals FX-6300.
| Feature | Core i3-1110G4 | Core i5-2500K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48 EU) | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x |
| Target Use | Thin & Light Laptop | Gaming |
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