Core i5-2405S 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 i5-2405S 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 i5-2405S 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 i5-2405S

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (557 vs 600).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.0 vs 17.6 PassMark/$ ($309 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Core i5-2500S

2011

Why buy it

✅+7.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $117 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).
✅Delivers 59.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.6 vs 11.0 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $309 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,373 vs 3,397).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2405S better than Core i5-2500S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2500S is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2405S pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2405S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-2405S is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-2405S comes in 60.9% more expensive on MSRP at $309 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. Core i5-2500S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 59.8% better value on paper (17.6 vs 11.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-2405S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 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 i5-2405S vs Core i5-2500S Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2405S

The Core i5-2405S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (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: 3,397 points. Launch price was $472.

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

Both the Core i5-2405S and Core i5-2500S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2405S versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-2405S scores 3,397 against the Core i5-2500S's 3,373 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-2405S. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 557 vs 600, a 7.4% lead for the Core i5-2500S that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2405S vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S.

Feature	Core i5-2405S	Core i5-2500S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,397	3,373
Geekbench 6 Single	557	600+8%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,480	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to DDR3-1333 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: H61,B65,Q65,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2405S) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2500S).

Feature	Core i5-2405S	Core i5-2500S
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / EPT (Core i5-2405S) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2405S) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2500S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2405S targets Budget, Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980.

Feature	Core i5-2405S	Core i5-2500S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 3000	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x / EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Budget	Legacy Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-2405S was priced at $309, while the Core i5-2500S came in at $192. On launch pricing ($309 vs $192), Core i5-2500S was $117 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2405S delivers 11.0 pts/$ vs 17.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-2500S — making the Core i5-2500S the 46% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-2405S	Core i5-2500S
MSRP	$309	$192-38%
Performance per Dollar	11.0	17.6+60%
Release Date	2011	2011

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