Core i5-2515E vs PRO A6-9500

Intel

Core i5-2515E

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2011
VS
AMD

PRO A6-9500

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2016

Core i5-2515E vs PRO A6-9500 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 i5-2515E vs PRO A6-9500 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.

Core i5-2515E vs PRO A6-9500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-2515E

2011

Why buy it

  • βœ…+0.5% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 3000, while PRO A6-9500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

PRO A6-9500

2016

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Lower PassMark (1,873 vs 1,882).
    • ❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
    • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2515E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Core i5-2515E better than PRO A6-9500?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, PRO A6-9500 is ahead with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2515E pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2515E is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Core i5-2515E still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-2515E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    PRO A6-9500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

    Core i5-2515E vs PRO A6-9500 Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    Intel

    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 (2011βˆ’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.

    AMD

    PRO A6-9500

    The PRO A6-9500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 October 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016βˆ’2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 1,873 points. Launch price was $69.

    ⚑

    Processing Power

    The Core i5-2515E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the PRO A6-9500's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i5-2515E versus 3.8 GHz on the PRO A6-9500 β€” a 41.3% clock advantage for the PRO A6-9500 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-2515E uses the Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013) architecture (32 nm), while the PRO A6-9500 uses Bristol Ridge (2016βˆ’2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2515E scores 1,882 against the PRO A6-9500's 1,873 β€” a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-2515E.

    FeatureCore i5-2515EPRO A6-9500
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 4
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    2.5 GHz
    3.8 GHz+52%
    Base Clock
    2.5 GHz
    3.5 GHz+40%
    L3 Cache
    3 MB (total)
    β€”
    L2 Cache
    256K (per core)
    1024 kB+300%
    Process
    32 nm
    28 nm-13%
    Architecture
    Sandy Bridge (2011βˆ’2013)
    Bristol Ridge (2016βˆ’2019)
    PassMark
    1,882
    1,873
    Geekbench 6 Single
    530
    β€”
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i5-2515E uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the PRO A6-9500 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCore i5-2515EPRO A6-9500
    Socket
    BGA1023
    AM4
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 3.0+50%
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR3-1333
    β€”
    Max RAM Capacity
    16 GB
    β€”
    RAM Channels
    2
    β€”
    ECC Support
    No
    β€”
    PCIe Lanes
    16
    β€”
    πŸ”§

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2515E) / not specified (PRO A6-9500). The Core i5-2515E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the PRO A6-9500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2515E targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-2515E rivals Embedded R-Series.

    FeatureCore i5-2515EPRO A6-9500
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    β€”
    IGPU Model
    HD Graphics 3000
    β€”
    Unlocked
    No
    β€”
    AVX-512
    No
    β€”
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    β€”
    Target Use
    Embedded
    β€”