Core i5-2515E vs Pentium G2120
Core i5-2515E
Pentium G2120
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G2120
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2515E | Pentium G2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2515E | Pentium G2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
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 i5-2515E and Pentium G2120
Core i5-2515E
The Core i5-2515E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,882 points. Launch price was $266.
Pentium G2120
The Pentium G2120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,876 points. Launch price was $88.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2515E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G2120's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i5-2515E versus 3.1 GHz on the Pentium G2120 — a 21.4% clock advantage for the Pentium G2120 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-2515E uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G2120 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2515E scores 1,882 against the Pentium G2120's 1,876 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-2515E. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i5-2515E | Pentium G2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.1 GHz+24% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.1 GHz+24% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,882 | 1,876 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 530 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2515E uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G2120 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Pentium G2120 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i5-2515E | Pentium G2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2515E) vs VT-x (Pentium G2120). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2515E) and HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Pentium G2120) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2515E targets Embedded, Pentium G2120 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2515E rivals Embedded R-Series.
| Feature | Core i5-2515E | Pentium G2120 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x |
| Target Use | Embedded | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2515E launched at $0 MSRP, while the Pentium G2120 debuted at $86. At current prices ($0 vs $20), the Core i5-2515E is $20 cheaper.
| Feature | Core i5-2515E | Pentium G2120 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $0-100% | $86 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $0-100% | $20 |
| Performance per Dollar | — | 93.8 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2012 |
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