Intel Core i5-2500k vs Intel Core i3-6300

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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 Intel Core i3-6300 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2015 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-6300, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1151 socket.
Intel Core i 2000 Group Intel Core i 6000
2 Generation 6
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i5-2500k Name Intel Core i3-6300
Intel Core i5 Family Intel Core i3
 
 

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 Intel Core i3-6300 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-6300 is 3.8 GHz
4 Threads 4
4x Cores 2x
4 CPU Cores 2
normal Core architecture normal
No Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking No
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
3.3 GHz Frequency 3.8 GHz
3.7 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) None
 
 

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 Intel Core i3-6300 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-6300 uses the Intel HD Graphics 530, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
96 Shaders 192
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2015
32 nm Technology 14 nm
10.1 Direct X 12
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 32.0 GB
-- Max. displays --
12 Execution units 24
0.85 GHz GPU frequency 0.35 GHz
6 Generation 9
1.1 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.15 GHz
Intel HD Graphics 3000 GPU name Intel HD Graphics 530
 
 

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 / Encode
Decode VC-1 Decode
No JPEG Decode / Encode
No AV1 No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode AVC Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
No VP9 Decode
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode
 
 

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.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 34.1 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 DDR4-2133, DDR3-1600
No ECC Yes
32.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
2 Memory channels 2
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth 34.1 GB/s
 
 

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 51 W watts.
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 51 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 Intel Core i3-6300 is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2015
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
32 nm Technology 14 nm
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
-- Release price --
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Skylake S
6.0 MB L3-Cache 4.0 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 LGA 1151
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
9970
9970
Intel Core i3-6300
2C 4T @ 3.8 GHz
8227
8227

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i3-6300
2C 4T @ 3.8 GHz
3876
3876
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
3158
3158

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i3-6300
2C 4T @ 3.8 GHz
2568
2568
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
1948
1948

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
2537
2537
Intel Core i3-6300
2C 4T @ 3.8 GHz
2229
2229

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i3-6300
2C 4T @ 3.8 GHz
1247
1247
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
651
651

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
461
461
Intel Core i3-6300
2C 4T @ 3.8 GHz
403
403

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i3-6300
2C 4T @ 3.8 GHz
156
156
Intel Core i5-2500k
4C 4T @ 3.3 GHz
127
127