Core i5-2500K vs Pentium Gold G6500
Core i5-2500K
Pentium Gold G6500
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. The Core i5-2500K is positioned at rank #828 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500K
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2500K | Pentium Gold G6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake (2020−2025) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2500K | Pentium Gold G6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Pentium Gold G6500
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.
Pentium Gold G6500
The Pentium Gold G6500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,185 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2500K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6500 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2500K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500K versus 4.1 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6500 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6500 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i5-2500K uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6500 uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500K scores 4,141 against the Pentium Gold G6500's 4,185 — a 1.1% lead for the Pentium Gold G6500. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-2500K vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6500.
| Feature | Core i5-2500K | Pentium Gold G6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.1 GHz+11% |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz | 4.1 GHz+24% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total)+50% | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Comet Lake (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 4,141 | 4,185+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,200 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 684 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,032 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2500K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G6500 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-2500K | Pentium Gold G6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core i5-2500K) / not specified (Pentium Gold G6500). The Core i5-2500K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium Gold G6500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500K targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500K rivals FX-6300.
| Feature | Core i5-2500K | Pentium Gold G6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Gaming | — |
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