Core i5-2500 vs FX-6200

Core i5-2500 vs FX-6200 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-2500

4 / 4

4,102

0.0%

Core m5-6Y54

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

4,114

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i5-2500 vs FX-6200 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 i5-2500 vs FX-6200: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-2500

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 95W instead of 125W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while FX-6200 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike FX-6200.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6200 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,102 vs 4,114).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 24.3 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

FX-6200

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $125 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 74.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.3 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($169 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌31.6% higher power demand at 125W vs 95W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2500.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6200 better than Core i5-2500?

Yes. FX-6200 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-6200 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% 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, FX-6200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

FX-6200 is the better buy right now. FX-6200 comes in $125 cheaper on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 74.5% better value on MSRP (24.3 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-6200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-2500 vs FX-6200 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2500

The Core i5-2500 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: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,102 points. Launch price was $85.

FX-6200

The FX-6200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 February 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 6144 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,114 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-2500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6200 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6200 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500 versus 4.1 GHz on the FX-6200 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the FX-6200 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core i5-2500 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-6200 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500 scores 4,102 against the FX-6200's 4,114 — a 0.3% lead for the FX-6200. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500 vs 8192 kB on the FX-6200.

Feature	Core i5-2500	FX-6200
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.1 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.8 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	8192 kB+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6144 kB+2300%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,102	4,114
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,642	—
Geekbench 6 Single	590	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,690	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2500 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-6200 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2500	FX-6200
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500) / not specified (FX-6200). The Core i5-2500 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the FX-6200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-2500	FX-6200
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-2500 was priced at $294, while the FX-6200 came in at $169. On launch pricing ($294 vs $169), FX-6200 was $125 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2500 delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 24.3 pts/$ for the FX-6200 — making the FX-6200 the 54.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-2500	FX-6200
MSRP	$294	$169-43%
Performance per Dollar	14.0	24.3+74%
Release Date	2011	2012

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