Core i3-4150 vs Core i5-2500S
Core i3-4150
Core i5-2500S
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 i3-4150 is positioned at rank 960 and the Core i5-2500S is on rank 854, so the Core i5-2500S offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4150
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500S
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-4150 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($70) | ✅ More affordable ($61) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-4150 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+14%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($70) | ✅ More affordable ($61) |
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 i3-4150 and Core i5-2500S
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.
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 |
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. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. 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 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
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 |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-4150 launched at $281 MSRP, while the Core i5-2500S debuted at $192. At current prices ($70 vs $61), the Core i5-2500S is $9 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-4150 delivers 48.7 pts/$ vs 55.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-2500S — making the Core i5-2500S the 12.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-4150 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $281 | $192-32% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $70 | $61-13% |
| Performance per Dollar | 48.7 | 55.3+14% |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2011 |
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