FX-6200 vs Core i5-2500
FX-6200
Core i5-2500
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 FX-6200 is positioned at rank 701 and the Core i5-2500 is on rank 922, so the FX-6200 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar FX-6200
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | FX-6200 | Core i5-2500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($69) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Zambezi (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | FX-6200 | Core i5-2500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+177%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($69) |
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 FX-6200 and Core i5-2500
FX-6200
The FX-6200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 27 February 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 6144 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,114 points. Launch price was $69.
Core i5-2500
The Core i5-2500 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 3.3 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): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,102 points. Launch price was $85.
Processing Power
The FX-6200 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i5-2500 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-6200 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the FX-6200 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the FX-6200 (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The FX-6200 uses the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-2500 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the FX-6200 scores 4,114 against the Core i5-2500's 4,102 — a 0.3% lead for the FX-6200. L3 cache: 8192 kB on the FX-6200 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500.
| Feature | FX-6200 | Core i5-2500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6+50% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz+11% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.8 GHz+15% | 3.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB+33% | 6144 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 6144 kB+2300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Zambezi (2011−2012) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,114 | 4,102 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 2,642 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 590 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,690 |
Memory & Platform
The FX-6200 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2500 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | FX-6200 | Core i5-2500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3+ | 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 (FX-6200) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500). The Core i5-2500 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the FX-6200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500 targets Desktop.
| Feature | FX-6200 | Core i5-2500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 2000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The FX-6200 launched at $169 MSRP, while the Core i5-2500 debuted at $294. At current prices ($25 vs $69), the FX-6200 is $44 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-6200 delivers 164.6 pts/$ vs 59.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-2500 — making the FX-6200 the 93.8% better value option.
| Feature | FX-6200 | Core i5-2500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $169-43% | $294 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25-64% | $69 |
| Performance per Dollar | 164.6+177% | 59.4 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2011 |
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