Core i5-10210Y vs Core i5-2500K
Core i5-10210Y
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 i5-10210Y is positioned at rank 429 and the Core i5-2500K is on rank 828, so the Core i5-10210Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10210Y
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-10210Y | Core i5-2500K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake-Y (2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-10210Y | 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 i5-10210Y and Core i5-2500K
Core i5-10210Y
The Core i5-10210Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-Y (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA1377. Thermal design power (TDP): 7 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,131 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 i5-10210Y packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-2500K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i5-10210Y versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500K — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-10210Y (base: 1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-10210Y uses the Comet Lake-Y (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2500K uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10210Y scores 4,131 against the Core i5-2500K's 4,141 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-2500K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,079 vs 684, a 44.8% lead for the Core i5-10210Y that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,380 vs 2,032 (15.8% advantage for the Core i5-10210Y). Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i5-10210Y | Core i5-2500K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4 GHz+8% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1 GHz | 3.3 GHz+230% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Comet Lake-Y (2019) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,131 | 4,141 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 3,200 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,079+58% | 684 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,380+17% | 2,032 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-10210Y uses the UTFCBGA1377 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 LPDDR3 2133 MHz on the Core i5-10210Y versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2500K — the Core i5-10210Y supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2500K supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 10 (Core i5-10210Y) vs 16 (Core i5-2500K) — the Core i5-2500K offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i5-10210Y) and P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2500K).
| Feature | Core i5-10210Y | Core i5-2500K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | UTFCBGA1377 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR3 2133 MHz | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 10 | 16+60% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i5-2500K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-10210Y) vs VT-x (Core i5-2500K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 615 (Core i5-10210Y) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2500K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10210Y targets Mobile Low Power, Core i5-2500K targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500K rivals FX-6300.
| Feature | Core i5-10210Y | Core i5-2500K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 615 | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x |
| Target Use | Mobile Low Power | Gaming |
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