Core i5-2500K vs FX-6300
Core i5-2500K
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 i5-2500K is positioned at rank 828 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 i5-2500K
Performance Per Dollar FX-6300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2500K | FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Vishera (2012−2015) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2500K | FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+0%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i5-2500K and FX-6300
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.
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 i5-2500K 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 i5-2500K 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 i5-2500K uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-6300 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500K scores 4,141 against the FX-6300's 4,137 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-2500K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 684 vs 534, a 24.6% lead for the Core i5-2500K that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2500K vs 8192 kB on the FX-6300.
| Feature | Core i5-2500K | 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 | 6 MB (total) | 8192 kB+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 6144 kB+2300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Vishera (2012−2015) |
| PassMark | 4,141 | 4,137 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,200 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 684+28% | 534 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,032 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2500K 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 i5-2500K) vs 0 (FX-6300) — the Core i5-2500K offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2500K) and AMD 990FX,AMD 970 (FX-6300).
| Feature | Core i5-2500K | 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
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i5-2500K) vs AMD-V (FX-6300). The Core i5-2500K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the FX-6300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500K targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500K rivals FX-6300.
| Feature | Core i5-2500K | FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Gaming | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2500K launched at $225 MSRP, while the FX-6300 debuted at $132. At current prices ($35 vs $35), the FX-6300 is $0 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2500K delivers 118.3 pts/$ vs 118.2 pts/$ for the FX-6300 — making the Core i5-2500K the 0.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-2500K | FX-6300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $225 | $132-41% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $35 | $35 |
| Performance per Dollar | 118.3 | 118.2 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2012 |
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