CPU
GPU
Core i5-2500S
Xeon E5-4603
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 Xeon E5-4603 is on rank 670, so the Xeon E5-4603 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 Xeon E5-4603
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2500S | Xeon E5-4603 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($61) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2500S | Xeon E5-4603 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+30%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($61) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
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 Xeon E5-4603
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.
Xeon E5-4603
The Xeon E5-4603 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,391 points. Launch price was $712.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2500S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E5-4603's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S versus 2 GHz on the Xeon E5-4603 — a 59.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-2500S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-4603 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500S scores 3,373 against the Xeon E5-4603's 3,391 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E5-4603. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-4603.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Xeon E5-4603 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+85% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz+35% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total) | 10240 kB (total)+67% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) |
| PassMark | 3,373 | 3,391 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2500S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-4603 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Xeon E5-4603 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S) / not specified (Xeon E5-4603). The Core i5-2500S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon E5-4603 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Xeon E5-4603 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2500S launched at $192 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-4603 debuted at $202. At current prices ($61 vs $80), the Core i5-2500S is $19 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2500S delivers 55.3 pts/$ vs 42.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4603 — making the Core i5-2500S the 26.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-2500S | Xeon E5-4603 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192-5% | $202 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $61-24% | $80 |
| Performance per Dollar | 55.3+30% | 42.4 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2012 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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