Core i3-7300T vs Core i5-2500K

The Core i3-7300T 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 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-7300T versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500K — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i3-7300T uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2500K uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7300T scores 4,145 against the Core i5-2500K's 4,141 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-7300T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 684, a 46.6% lead for the Core i3-7300T that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-7300T vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2500K.

The Core i3-7300T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2500K uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-7300T versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2500K — the Core i3-7300T supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-7300T supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B250,H270,Z270,Q250,Q270 (Core i3-7300T) and P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2500K).

Only the Core i5-2500K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-7300T) vs VT-x (Core i5-2500K). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i3-7300T) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2500K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-7300T targets Low Power Desktop, Core i5-2500K targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i3-7300T rivals Ryzen 3 2200GE; Core i5-2500K rivals FX-6300.

The Core i3-7300T launched at $138 MSRP, while the Core i5-2500K debuted at $225. At current prices ($128 vs $35), the Core i5-2500K is $93 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-7300T delivers 32.4 pts/$ vs 118.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-2500K — making the Core i5-2500K the 114% better value option.