CPU
GPU
Core i5-2500S
Core i3-4150
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 i5-2500S is positioned at rank 854 and the Core i3-4150 is on rank 960, so the Core i5-2500S offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500S
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4150
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2500S | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($61) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($70) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2500S | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+14%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($61) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($70) |
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 i5-2500S and Core i3-4150
Core i5-2500S
The Core i5-2500S 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 2.7 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,373 points. Launch price was $75.
Core i3-4150
The Core i3-4150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333/1600, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,406 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2500S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4150 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2500S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i3-4150 — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-2500S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-4150 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500S scores 3,373 against the Core i3-4150's 3,406 — a 1% lead for the Core i3-4150. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 600 vs 1,071, a 56.4% lead for the Core i3-4150 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4150.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+6% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.5 GHz+30% |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total)+100% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 3,373 | 3,406 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 600 | 1,071+79% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2500S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-4150 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2500S) and H81,B85,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i3-4150).
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4150). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2500S) and HD Graphics 4400 (Core i3-4150) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop, Core i3-4150 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980; Core i3-4150 rivals FX-6300.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2000 | HD Graphics 4400 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, EPT |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Budget Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2500S launched at $192 MSRP, while the Core i3-4150 debuted at $281. At current prices ($61 vs $70), the Core i5-2500S is $9 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2500S delivers 55.3 pts/$ vs 48.7 pts/$ for the Core i3-4150 — making the Core i5-2500S the 12.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Core i3-4150 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192-32% | $281 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $61-13% | $70 |
| Performance per Dollar | 55.3+14% | 48.7 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2014 |
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