Intel Core i5-2500k vs AMD FX-9590

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i5-2500k or Intel Core i5-2500k – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i5-2500k features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-2500k, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
The AMD FX-9590 features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2013 and belongs to the 2 generation of the AMD FX series.
To use the AMD FX-9590, you'll need a motherboard with a AM3+ socket.
Intel Core i 2000 Group AMD FX-9000
2 Generation 2
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i5-2500k Name AMD FX-9590
Intel Core i5 Family AMD FX
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i5-2500k has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-2500k is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.7 GHz.
The AMD FX-9590 has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD FX-9590 is 4.7 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 5.0 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
4 Threads 8
4x Cores 8x
4 CPU Cores 8
normal Core architecture normal
No Hyperthreading No
Yes Overclocking Yes
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 5.0 GHz
3.3 GHz Frequency 4.7 GHz
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 5.0 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i5-2500k has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-2500k uses the Intel HD Graphics 3000, which has 96 texture shaders
and 12 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The AMD FX-9590 does not have integrated graphics.
96 Shaders --
Q1/2011 Release date --
32 nm Technology --
10.1 Direct X --
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
12 Execution units --
0.85 GHz GPU frequency --
6 Generation --
1.1 GHz GPU (Turbo) --
Intel HD Graphics 3000 GPU name
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
No VP8 --
Decode VC-1 --
No JPEG --
No AV1 --
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
Decode / Encode AVC --
Decode / Encode h264 --
No VP9 --
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR3-1866
No ECC Yes
32.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
2 Memory channels 2
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth --
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 220 W watts.
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 220 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i5-2500k is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD FX-9590 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2013
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization AMD-V
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, FMA3, FMA4
32 nm Technology 32 nm
Monolithic Chip design --
-- Release price 270 $
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Vishera (Piledriver)
6.0 MB L3-Cache 8.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 1155 Socket AM3+
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
13110
13110
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
9970
9970

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
10465
10465
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
4155
4155

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
3158
3158
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
2587
2587

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
3020
3020
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
2537
2537

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
1737
1737
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
1336
1336

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
778.7
778.7
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
625.9
625.9

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
760
760
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
634
634

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
713
713
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
461
461

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
127
127
AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
114
114

Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

AMD FX-9590
8C 8T @ 4.7 GHz
8.5
8.5
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
5.4
5.4