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.

Core i3-4150 vs Core i5-2500S 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.

Core i3-4150 vs Core i5-2500S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-4150

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 54W instead of 65W, a 11W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.1 vs 17.6 PassMark/$ ($281 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Core i5-2500S

2011

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Costs $89 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).
✅Delivers 44.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.6 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $281 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-4150 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,373 vs 3,406).
❌20.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 54W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4150 better than Core i5-2500S?

Yes. Core i3-4150 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-4150 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.3% 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 i3-4150 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4150 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-4150 comes in 46.4% more expensive on MSRP at $281 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2500S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 44.9% better value on paper (17.6 vs 12.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i3-4150 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-4150 vs Core i5-2500S Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-4150

The Core i3-4150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,406 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-2500S

The Core i5-2500S 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 2.7 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,373 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-4150 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2500S offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2500S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-4150 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-4150 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-2500S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4150 scores 3,406 against the Core i5-2500S's 3,373 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-4150. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,071 vs 600, a 56.4% lead for the Core i3-4150 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4150 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S.

Feature	Core i3-4150	Core i5-2500S
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.7 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+30%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,406	3,373
Geekbench 6 Single	1,071+79%	600

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4150 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2500S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-4150 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2500S — the Core i3-4150 supports 20% 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4150) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2500S).

Feature	Core i3-4150	Core i5-2500S
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4150) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4150) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2500S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4150 targets Budget Desktop, Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4150 rivals FX-6300; Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980.

Feature	Core i3-4150	Core i5-2500S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4400	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget Desktop	Legacy Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-4150 was priced at $281, while the Core i5-2500S came in at $192. On launch pricing ($281 vs $192), Core i5-2500S was $89 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4150 delivers 12.1 pts/$ vs 17.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-2500S — making the Core i5-2500S the 36.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-4150	Core i5-2500S
MSRP	$281	$192-32%
Performance per Dollar	12.1	17.6+45%
Release Date	2014	2011

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