Core i3-7167U vs Core i5-2500S

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 i3-7167U 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 i3-7167U 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 i3-7167U

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-2500S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,368 vs 3,373).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2500S.

Core i5-2500S

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-7167U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i3-7167U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2500S better than Core i3-7167U?

Yes. Core i5-2500S is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-2500S is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% 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 i5-2500S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i5-2500S is the better buy right now. Core i5-2500S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i3-7167U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-7167U vs Core i5-2500S Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-7167U

The Core i3-7167U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,368 points. Launch price was $304.

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 i3-7167U 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 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-7167U versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S — a 27.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i3-7167U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2500S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7167U scores 3,368 against the Core i5-2500S's 3,373 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-2500S. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7167U vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S.

Feature	Core i3-7167U	Core i5-2500S
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.7 GHz+32%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+4%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	6144 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,368	3,373
Geekbench 6 Single	—	600

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7167U uses the BGA1356 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 DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-7167U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2500S — the Core i3-7167U supports 60% 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: 12 (Core i3-7167U) vs 16 (Core i5-2500S) — the Core i5-2500S offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-7167U	Core i5-2500S
Socket	BGA1356	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-7167U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics 650 (Core i3-7167U) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2500S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7167U targets Mobile, Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980.

Feature	Core i3-7167U	Core i5-2500S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics 650	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Mobile	Legacy Desktop