Core i5-2500S
Ryzen 7 5700X
Core i5-2500S vs Ryzen 7 5700X Performance Spectrum
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.
Core i5-2500S vs Ryzen 7 5700X FPS Benchmarks
Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.
Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i5-2500S vs Ryzen 7 5700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Core i5-2500S
2011Why buy it
- ✅Costs $107 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2000, while Ryzen 7 5700X needs a discrete GPU.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 7 5700X.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (3,373 vs 26,609).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 32 MB).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.6 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
Ryzen 7 5700X
2022Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +243.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 6 MB).
- ✅Delivers 406.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 17.6 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
- ✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌55.7% HIGHER MSRP$299 MSRPvs$192 MSRP
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2500S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2500S.
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Core i5-2500S?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-2500S vs Ryzen 7 5700X Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
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.
Ryzen 7 5700X
The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2500S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Ryzen 7 5700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-2500S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500S scores 3,373 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 155% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 600 vs 2,116, a 111.6% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Ryzen 7 5700X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 8 / 16+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.6 GHz+24% |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.4 GHz+26% |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total) | 32 MB (total)+433% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 7 nm-78% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) |
| PassMark | 3,373 | 26,609+689% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 14,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 600 | 2,116+253% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 9,715 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2500S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2500S versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5700X — the Ryzen 7 5700X supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 5700X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2500S) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5700X) — the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2500S) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 5700X).
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Ryzen 7 5700X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-3200+140% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 24+50% |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 7 5700X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700X). The Core i5-2500S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Ryzen 7 5700X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop, Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980; Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Ryzen 7 5700X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Gaming |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i5-2500S was priced at $192, while the Ryzen 7 5700X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($192 vs $299), Core i5-2500S was $107 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2500S delivers 17.6 pts/$ vs 89.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5700X — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 134.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Ryzen 7 5700X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192-36% | $299 |
| Performance per Dollar | 17.6 | 89.0+406% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2022 |
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