Core i5-2500 vs FX-6300
Core i5-2500
FX-6300
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 i5-2500 is positioned at rank 922 and the FX-6300 is on rank 579, so the FX-6300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500
Performance Per Dollar FX-6300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2500 | FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($69) | ✅ More affordable ($35) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2500 | FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+99%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($69) | ✅ More affordable ($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 i5-2500 and FX-6300
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-6300
The FX-6300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 October 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 6144 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,137 points. Launch price was $132.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6300 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500 versus 3.8 GHz on the FX-6300 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the FX-6300 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-2500 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-6300 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500 scores 4,102 against the FX-6300's 4,137 — a 0.8% lead for the FX-6300. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 590 vs 534, a 10% lead for the Core i5-2500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500 vs 8192 kB on the FX-6300.
| Feature | Core i5-2500 | FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 6+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.8 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | 3.5 GHz+6% |
| 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) | Vishera (2012−2015) |
| PassMark | 4,102 | 4,137 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 2,642 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 590+10% | 534 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,690 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2500 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-6300 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2500) vs 0 (FX-6300) — the Core i5-2500 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2500) and AMD 990FX,AMD 970 (FX-6300).
| Feature | Core i5-2500 | FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | AM3+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Only the FX-6300 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500) vs AMD-V (FX-6300). The Core i5-2500 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the FX-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-2500 | FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2500 launched at $294 MSRP, while the FX-6300 debuted at $132. At current prices ($69 vs $35), the FX-6300 is $34 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2500 delivers 59.4 pts/$ vs 118.2 pts/$ for the FX-6300 — making the FX-6300 the 66.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-2500 | FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $294 | $132-55% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $69 | $35-49% |
| Performance per Dollar | 59.4 | 118.2+99% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2012 |
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