Core i5-7200U vs Core i5-2500S
Core i5-7200U
Core i5-2500S
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 i5-7200U is positioned at rank 643 and the Core i5-2500S is on rank 854, so the Core i5-7200U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7200U
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500S
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-7200U | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($61) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-7200U | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($61) |
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 i5-7200U and Core i5-2500S
Core i5-7200U
The Core i5-7200U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,369 points. Launch price was $281.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i5-7200U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2500S offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2500S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-7200U versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S — a 17.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-7200U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2500S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7200U scores 3,369 against the Core i5-2500S's 3,373 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-2500S. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-7200U vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S.
| Feature | Core i5-7200U | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.7 GHz+19% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 2.7 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 6144 kB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 3,369 | 3,373 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 600 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-7200U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2500S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-7200U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2500S — the Core i5-7200U supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-7200U) vs 16 (Core i5-2500S) — the Core i5-2500S offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i5-7200U | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+33% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 16+33% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7200U) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 620 (Core i5-7200U) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2500S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7200U targets Mobile, Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980.
| Feature | Core i5-7200U | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 620 | HD Graphics 2000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Mobile | Legacy Desktop |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-7200U and Core i5-2500S
