Core i5-2500 vs FX-8100

Core i5-2500

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2011

FX-8100

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-2500

4 / 4

4,102

+0.2%

Core m5-6Y54

Celeron Dual-Core T1400

4,095

0.0%

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.

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-8100 is on rank 928, so the Core i5-2500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

22345%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

21114%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

15330%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

4618%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

3658%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3200%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1833%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1809%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1647%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1647%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1629%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1585%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1563%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1556%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1542%

#302

Core i7-6900K

MSRP: $1089|Avg: $1089

97%

#303

Core i7-5960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $83

96%

#922

Core i5-2500

MSRP: $294|Avg: $69

100%

#923

Athlon II X4 605e

MSRP: $143|Avg: $25

98%

#925

Athlon II X4 610e

MSRP: $143|Avg: $20

98%

#926

Core i5-2390T

MSRP: $182|Avg: $182

98%

#927

Phenom II X4 910e

MSRP: $157|Avg: $69

98%

#928

FX-8100

MSRP: $300|Avg: $50

98%

#930

Celeron E1400

MSRP: $53|Avg: $63

97%

#932

Pentium E6800

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

96%

#933

Core i3-530

MSRP: $113|Avg: $15

96%

#935

Core i3-2105

MSRP: $138|Avg: $30

95%

#936

Athlon II X3 405e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

95%

#937

Core i3-3225

MSRP: $172|Avg: $167

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar FX-8100

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

22836%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

21578%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

15667%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

4720%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

3739%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3271%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1873%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1849%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1683%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1683%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1664%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1619%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1597%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1590%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1576%

#302

Core i7-6900K

MSRP: $1089|Avg: $1089

99%

#303

Core i7-5960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $83

98%

#928

FX-8100

MSRP: $300|Avg: $50

100%

#930

Celeron E1400

MSRP: $53|Avg: $63

99%

#932

Pentium E6800

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

98%

#933

Core i3-530

MSRP: $113|Avg: $15

98%

#935

Athlon II X3 405e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#936

Core i3-2105

MSRP: $138|Avg: $30

98%

#937

Core i3-3225

MSRP: $172|Avg: $167

97%

#938

Athlon II X3 400e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

97%

#939

Athlon II X2 245e

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

96%

#940

Core i3-3220T

MSRP: $149|Avg: $146

96%

#941

Athlon II X2 240e

MSRP: $77|Avg: $77

96%

#942

Pentium G630T

MSRP: $79|Avg: $15

96%

#943

Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition

MSRP: $990|Avg: $175

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-2500 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the FX-8100 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-2500	FX-8100
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($69)	✅ More affordable ($50)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Zambezi (2011−2012) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the FX-8100 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $50 (vs $69), it costs 28% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 38% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-2500.

Insight	Core i5-2500	FX-8100
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+38%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($69)	✅ More affordable ($50)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-2500 Benchmark Check

FX-8100 Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2500 and FX-8100

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-8100

The FX-8100 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,095 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-2500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-8100 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8100 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500 versus 3.7 GHz on the FX-8100 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-2500 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-8100 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500 scores 4,102 against the FX-8100's 4,095 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-2500. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 590 vs 455, a 25.8% lead for the Core i5-2500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,690 vs 1,621 (4.2% advantage for the Core i5-2500). L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500 vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-8100.

Feature	Core i5-2500	FX-8100
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+18%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	8 MB+3100%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	4,102	4,095
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,642	—
Geekbench 6 Single	590+30%	455
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,690+4%	1,621

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2500 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-8100 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2500 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: 16 (Core i5-2500) vs 0 (FX-8100) — 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-8100).

Feature	Core i5-2500	FX-8100
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the FX-8100 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-8100). The Core i5-2500 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the FX-8100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-2500	FX-8100
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-8100 debuted at $300. At current prices ($69 vs $50), the FX-8100 is $19 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2500 delivers 59.4 pts/$ vs 81.9 pts/$ for the FX-8100 — making the FX-8100 the 31.8% better value option.