CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-2500S vs Intel Core i5-2550K
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-2500S is a power-optimized 65 W quad-core desktop processor from the Sandy Bridge generation, offering 2.7 GHz base and 3.7 GHz turbo speeds for small form factor PCs.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles legacy office workloads well, but sustained multi-core loads cause it to throttle below standard i5-2500 speeds.
Marginally faster than the 2500K in multi-threaded tasks due to 100 MHz higher clocks, but still inadequate for modern software.
Gaming
Intel HD 2000 graphics prevent any meaningful modern gaming experience.
The slight clock bump over the 2500K is imperceptible in games. Still completely obsolete for modern titles.
Virtualization
Good enterprise virtualization feature support, but limited by four total threads.
Lacks VT-d, and the lack of an iGPU means no iGPU passthrough, reducing its utility in virtualization setups.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency for 2011, drawing significantly less power at idle and light loads than 95 W parts.
Despite the disabled iGPU, power consumption when overclocked is still very high by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration capabilities
- AVX support exists but lacks AVX2 for modern workloads
- Far too slow for practical AI tasks
- No AI hardware
- Lacks AVX2 and modern instruction extensions
- Unable to handle any practical AI workload
Content Creation
Gaming
- Intel HD 2000 is a severe bottleneck for 3D rendering
- Can handle older 2D or very light 3D indie games
- Requires a discrete GPU for any acceptable gaming experience
- Virtually identical gaming performance to an overclocked i5-2500K
- Cannot function without a discrete graphics card
- Modern games are heavily CPU-limited on this architecture
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Matches the 3.7 GHz turbo of the standard 95 W i5-2500
- 65 W TDP allows for much quieter, smaller cooling solutions
- Full enterprise feature set including TXT and VT-d
- Lower idle power consumption than standard desktop parts
- Reliable Sandy Bridge architecture
Cons
- Lower sustained multi-core clocks due to 65 W limit
- Intel HD 2000 graphics are very weak
- Locked multiplier
- No Hyper-Threading
- Obsolete platform with no upgrade path
Pros
- Slightly higher clocks out of the box than the 2500K
- Unlocked multiplier for easy overclocking
- Disabled iGPU meant 100% of the die was dedicated to CPU tasks
- Has become a unique collector's piece
- No iGPU driver conflicts for pure discrete GPU systems
Cons
- No integrated graphics whatsoever
- Lost Intel Quick Sync video encoding
- More expensive at launch than the 2500K for negligible gains
- Lacks VT-d
- No Hyper-Threading
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-2500S
- AMD Phenom II X4 840TRival
Low Power Desktop
- AMD A8-3820Rival
Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2400SRival
Low Power Desktop
- AMD A6-3670Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2500TRival
Ultra Low Power Desktop
If your SFF chassis can handle 95 W, the standard 2500 offers better sustained performance for less money.
Compare head-to-headIvy Bridge successor with better integrated graphics and slightly improved efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i7-2600SAlt
Adds Hyper-Threading (8 threads) for better multi-tasking within the same 65 W power envelope.
Intel Core i5-2550K
- AMD Bulldozer FX-4170Rival
Desktop Enthusiast
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2500KRival
Desktop Enthusiast
- Intel Core i7-2600KRival
Desktop Premium
- AMD FX-6200Rival
Desktop Multi-thread
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570KRival
Next-Gen Enthusiast
Our Verdict on Each
A highly effective power-optimized Sandy Bridge chip that delivered excellent burst performance for its 65 W TDP, though entirely outclassed today.
Best for: Replacing a failed CPU in a proprietary Small Form Factor PC that strictly requires a 65 W or lower processor.
Read the full reviewAn intriguing engineering footnote that disabled the iGPU for theoretical overclocking gains, but its minor clock bump and higher price over the 2500K made it one of the least relevant 'K' series processors Intel ever launched.
Best for: Purchasing as a collector's item to complete a Sandy Bridge CPU collection.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-2500S or Intel Core i5-2550K?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-2550K comes out ahead with a score of 5.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-2500S or Intel Core i5-2550K?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-2550K leads with a gaming performance score of 23/100 among Intel Core i5-2500S and Intel Core i5-2550K.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-2500S has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-2500S (65 W), Intel Core i5-2550K (95 W).
Do Intel Core i5-2500S and Intel Core i5-2550K use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1155 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-2550K posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-2500S (3,800), Intel Core i5-2550K (4,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.