Core i7-960 vs Core i5-2500S
Core i7-960
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 i7-960 is positioned at rank 979 and the Core i5-2500S is on rank 854, so the Core i5-2500S offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-960
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500S
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($61) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+79%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($110) | ✅ More affordable ($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 i7-960 and Core i5-2500S
Core i7-960
The Core i7-960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,400 points. Launch price was $316.
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 i7-960 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-2500S's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-960 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-960 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2500S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-960 scores 3,400 against the Core i5-2500S's 3,373 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-960. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-960 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz | 3.7 GHz+7% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+19% | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6144 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Bloomfield (2008−2010) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 3,400 | 3,373 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 600 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-960 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2500S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1155 |
| 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: not specified (Core i7-960) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S). The Core i5-2500S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Core i7-960 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 i7-960 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i7-960 launched at $309 MSRP, while the Core i5-2500S debuted at $192. At current prices ($110 vs $61), the Core i5-2500S is $49 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-960 delivers 30.9 pts/$ vs 55.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-2500S — making the Core i5-2500S the 56.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-960 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $309 | $192-38% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $110 | $61-45% |
| Performance per Dollar | 30.9 | 55.3+79% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2011 |
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