Pentium 8500
VS
Core i5-2500T

Pentium 8500 vs Core i5-2500T

Intel

Pentium 8500

5 Cores6 Thrd9 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Core i5-2500T

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011

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 Pentium 8500 is positioned at rank 991 and the Core i5-2500T is on rank 882, so the Core i5-2500T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium 8500

#979
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2023%
#980
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1994%
#981
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1830%
#982
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1822%
#983
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1805%
#985
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1743%
#986
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1672%
#987
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1669%
#988
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1624%
#991
Pentium 8500
MSRP: $200|Avg: $200
100%
#992
A6-8500P
MSRP: $100|Avg: $16
100%
#994
Core i7-4700EQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $180
99%
#995
Core i3-8145UE
MSRP: $281|Avg: $50
99%
#996
Core i7-4712MQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $60
97%
#997
Core i7-3615QE
MSRP: $400|Avg: $100
97%
#998
Celeron M U3400
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
97%
#999
3015Ce
MSRP: $150|Avg: $40
96%
#1000
Core i7-4700MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
96%
#1001
Athlon II M340
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
96%
#1005
Pentium P6000
MSRP: $150|Avg: $90
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500T

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
19373%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
18306%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
13291%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
4004%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
3172%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
2775%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
1589%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
1568%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
1428%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
1428%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
1412%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1374%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1355%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1349%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1337%
#882
Core i5-2500T
MSRP: $182|Avg: $30
100%
#884
Athlon II X2 265
MSRP: $83|Avg: $15
99%
#885
Core i3-2100
MSRP: $117|Avg: $10
99%
#886
A8-3800
MSRP: $130|Avg: $40
98%
#887
Pentium E5200
MSRP: $84|Avg: $15
97%
#888
Athlon II X2 235e
MSRP: $69|Avg: $15
97%
#889
Athlon II X2 250e
MSRP: $77|Avg: $15
97%
#890
Core i7-2600S
MSRP: $297|Avg: $99
97%
#891
Athlon II X2 250u
MSRP: $60|Avg: $15
97%
#892
Pentium G6951
MSRP: $89|Avg: $50
97%
#893
Core i3-2125
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
97%
#895
Celeron G1820
MSRP: $110|Avg: $15
96%
#896
Celeron E1600
MSRP: $53|Avg: $10
96%
#897
Athlon II X2 270u
MSRP: $68|Avg: $10
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium 8500 (2022) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightPentium 8500Core i5-2500T
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($200)
More affordable ($30)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Alder Lake-U (2022) / Intel 7 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-2500T (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightPentium 8500Core i5-2500T
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+573%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($200)
More affordable ($30)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 Pentium 8500 and Core i5-2500T

Intel

Pentium 8500

The Pentium 8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,900 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core i5-2500T

The Core i5-2500T 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,929 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Pentium 8500 packs 5 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i5-2500T offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium 8500 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Pentium 8500 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2500T — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Pentium 8500 (base: 1 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Pentium 8500 uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i5-2500T uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 8500 scores 2,900 against the Core i5-2500T's 2,929 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-2500T. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Pentium 8500 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500T.

FeaturePentium 8500Core i5-2500T
Cores / Threads
5 / 6+25%
4 / 4
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+33%
3.3 GHz
Base Clock
1 GHz
2.3 GHz+130%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+33%
6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)+400%
256 kB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm-78%
32 nm
Architecture
Alder Lake-U (2022)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
2,900
2,929+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,100
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium 8500 uses the FCBGA1781 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-2500T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Pentium 8500 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2500T — the Pentium 8500 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium 8500 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 14 (Pentium 8500) vs 16 (Core i5-2500T) — the Core i5-2500T offers 2 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeaturePentium 8500Core i5-2500T
Socket
FCBGA1781
LGA1155
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+150%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5-5200+67%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB+100%
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
14
16+14%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Pentium 8500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2500T). Both include integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU) (Pentium 8500) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2500T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium 8500 targets Entry Level Laptop, Core i5-2500T targets Desktop.

FeaturePentium 8500Core i5-2500T
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics (48 EU)
HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Entry Level Laptop
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium 8500 launched at $200 MSRP, while the Core i5-2500T debuted at $182. At current prices ($200 vs $30), the Core i5-2500T is $170 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium 8500 delivers 14.5 pts/$ vs 97.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-2500T — making the Core i5-2500T the 148.3% better value option.

FeaturePentium 8500Core i5-2500T
MSRP
$200
$182-9%
Avg Price (30d)
$200
$30-85%
Performance per Dollar
14.5
97.6+573%
Release Date
2022
2011