AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs Intel Core i5-2500K

VS
Performance
Ryzen 5 260089% better
12,40534% of 36,991
Core i5-2500K
6,57118% of 36,991

The Ryzen 5 2600 has 89% better performance than the Core i5-2500K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 5 2600105% better
62.3451% of 121.53
Core i5-2500K
30.4225% of 121.53

The Ryzen 5 2600 has 105% better value for the money than the Core i5-2500K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 CPU

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is a 6-core (12-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q2 2018 with a suggested retail price of $199. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 5 lineup, which is based on the Zen+ microarchitecture. The 2600 is compatible with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards and is fabricated on GlobalFoundries's 12 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 5 2600 supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Ryzen 5 2600 has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 96 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 512 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 16 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Ryzen 5 2600 features 6 total cores which can process 12 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.4 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.9 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Ryzen 5 2600 does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Ryzen 5 2600 has the 185th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 33.54% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 12,405 score and $199 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 62.34. This is the 30th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i5-2500K CPU

The Intel Core i5-2500K is an end-of-life 4-core (4-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q1 2011 with a suggested retail price of $216. It is part of Intel's Core i5 lineup, which is based on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture. The i5-2500K is compatible with Intel Socket 1155 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 32 nm manufacturing process. It features the Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i5-2500K supports DDR3 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i5-2500K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 6 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i5-2500K features 4 total cores which can process 4 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.3 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i5-2500K includes an integrated graphics solution called Intel HD 3000. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i5-2500K has the 363rd best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 17.76% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 6,571 score and $216 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 30.42. This is the 118th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoRyzen 5 2600Core i5-2500K
ManufacturerAMDIntel
SeriesRyzen 5Core i5
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ2 2018Q1 2011
Launch Price (MSRP)$199$216
Production StatusActiveEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Ryzen 5 260089% better
12,40534% of 36,991
Core i5-2500K
6,57118% of 36,991

The Ryzen 5 2600 has 89% better performance than the Core i5-2500K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 5 2600 is ranked 185th with a score of 12,405, and the Core i5-2500K is ranked 363rd with a score of 6,571.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 5 2600105% better
62.3451% of 121.53
Core i5-2500K
30.4225% of 121.53

The Ryzen 5 2600 has 105% better value for the money than the Core i5-2500K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 5 2600 is ranked 30th with a performance per dollar of 62.34, and the Core i5-2500K is ranked 118th with a performance per dollar of 30.42.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Ryzen 5 2600 or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Ryzen 3 3300X12,952+4%
Ryzen 7 170012,723+3%
Ryzen 5 260012,405
Ryzen 5 2600X12,074-3%
Core i7-8086K11,554-7%
Core i5-35506,593-47%
Ryzen 3 1300X6,579-47%
Core i5-2500K6,571-47%
Core i5-44606,499-48%
Core i5-64006,283-49%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Ryzen 5 2600 or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Ryzen 5 5600G63.85+2%
Core i5-11600K62.52+0%
Ryzen 5 260062.34
Ryzen 7 3700X55.57-11%
Ryzen 3 120054.82-12%
Core i7-670032.45-48%
Core i5-6600K32.04-49%
Core i5-2500K30.42-51%
Core i5-347030.3-51%
Core i7-3770K29.45-53%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkRyzen 5 2600Core i5-2500K
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
12,405
(+88.78%)
6,571
3DMark Time Spy CPU
6,265
--
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
1,248
(+165.53%)
470
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
157.3
(+28.93%)
122
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
4,895
(+153.63%)
1,930
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,163
(+77.56%)
655
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
13,198
(+220.42%)
4,119
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,245
(+32.21%)
1,698
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecRyzen 5 2600Core i5-2500K
ManufacturerAMDIntel
FoundryGlobalFoundriesIntel
Process Size12 nm32 nm
Transistors4,800 million1,160 million

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecRyzen 5 2600Core i5-2500K
SeriesRyzen 5Core i5
MicroarchitectureZen+Sandy Bridge
CodenameZenSandy Bridge
Memory SupportDDR4DDR3
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecRyzen 5 2600Core i5-2500K
Cores64
Threads124
Clock Speed3.4 GHz3.3 GHz
Turbo Clock3.9 GHz3.7 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier34.0x33.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecRyzen 5 2600Core i5-2500K
L1 Cache96 KB64 KB
L2 Cache512 KB256 KB
L3 Cache16 MB6 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecRyzen 5 2600Core i5-2500K
SocketAMD Socket AM4Intel Socket 1155
PCI ExpressPCIe 3.0 x16PCIe 2.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)65 W95 W
TJ Max95 °C72.6 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecRyzen 5 2600Core i5-2500K
Integrated Graphics--Intel HD 3000
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES, AVX, AVX2, BMI1, BMI2, SHA, F16C, FMA3, AMD64, EVP, AMD-V, SMAP, SMEP, SMT, Precision Boost 2MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, AES-NI

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.