Quick Verdict
A step up from the i5-7400, offering better clocks, but the 4-core/4-thread limitation makes it obsolete for modern heavy multitasking and gaming.
Overview
Launch
Jan 3rd, 2017
Status
ActiveGeneration
Core i5 (Kaby Lake)
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i5-7500 is a mid-range desktop processor launched in early 2017 as a core component of the 7th Generation Kaby Lake family. Featuring four physical cores without Hyper-Threading, it operates at a base frequency of 3.4 GHz and can boost up to 3.8 GHz. Manufactured on Intel's 14nm process, it fits within a standard 65-watt TDP, ensuring broad compatibility with mainstream cooling solutions. The processor was a popular choice for budget gaming builds and office PCs, offering a slight frequency bump over the i5-7400. It integrates Intel HD 630 graphics, capable of hardware-accelerated 4K video decoding, and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory at 2400 MT/s. While it provides snappy single-thread performance for everyday applications, the lack of Hyper-Threading limits its capability in heavily multi-threaded modern workloads. Utilizing the LGA 1151 socket, the i5-7500 remains a viable option for upgrading older systems, though it is outclassed by newer architectures in both efficiency and core count.
The Core i5-7500 was a popular mid-range choice in 2017. With 4 cores and 4 threads, it offers a 3.4 GHz base and 3.
8 GHz turbo. It handles daily tasks and older games well. However, like other 7th Gen i5s, it lacks Hyper-Threading, making it a bottleneck for modern multi-threaded applications and newer games.
Specifications
Performance
Snappy for everyday office work but struggles with heavy rendering due to 4 threads.
Limited by core count for running multiple VMs.
Adequate for older games but bottlenecks modern GPUs in CPU-heavy titles.
65W TDP offers a good balance of power and heat.
- •Bottlenecks modern GPUs in CPU-intensive games
- •Suitable for 60fps gaming with older mid-range GPUs
- •Lacks the threads needed for modern AAA titles
- •No AI acceleration hardware
- •Inadequate for local AI model execution
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Kaby Lake
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i5-7500 leverages the Kaby Lake architecture, an optimized iteration of Intel's 14nm Skylake design. The architecture focuses on higher clock speeds and improved power efficiency rather than fundamental structural changes. The processor features four physical cores without Hyper-Threading, a configuration that provided sufficient parallelism for mainstream applications in 2017 but falls short in modern multi-threaded environments. It includes 6MB of L3 SmartCache, which helps reduce latency and improve performance in gaming and bursty workloads. The integrated HD 630 graphics represent a key architectural feature, incorporating a dedicated media engine for hardware decoding of 10-bit HEVC and VP9 content. The memory controller supports dual-channel DDR4-2400, providing adequate bandwidth for the CPU and integrated graphics. With 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes, the architecture supports a single discrete GPU and basic NVMe storage configurations. The Kaby Lake architecture within the i5-7500 was designed to maximize frequency within a 65W envelope, prioritizing single-thread responsiveness.
CPU Design
4 cores and 4 threads without Hyper-Threading.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-2400.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- Higher base and boost clocks
- Refined 14nm process
- Better media engine
Key Highlights
- Good single-thread performance
- 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Hardware video decoding
- Solid choice for legacy budget gaming
- Affordable used
- Only 4 cores and 4 threads
- Locked multiplier
- Bottlenecks modern mid-range GPUs
- No official Windows 11 support
- Outdated PCIe Gen 3
History
Launched in January 2017, the Core i5-7500 was positioned as the quintessential mid-range desktop CPU for the masses. During a period of minimal competition from AMD, Intel utilized the Kaby Lake architecture to push higher clock speeds rather than increasing core counts. The i5-7500 became the go-to recommendation for budget gaming builds, often paired with GTX 1060 or RX 580 graphics cards.
It offered a reliable, straightforward computing experience. However, its release shortly preceded AMD's Ryzen 5 launch, which disrupted the market by offering 6-core and 8-core processors at similar price points. This shift rapidly exposed the i5-7500's lack of Hyper-Threading.
Consequently, the i5-7500 is historically significant as one of the last mainstream quad-cores before Intel was compelled to restructure its product stack and introduce 6-core processors with the 8th Generation Coffee Lake lineup.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Higher base and boost clocks
- Refined 14nm process
- Better media engine
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Upgrading an older LGA 1151 system on a strict budget.
Avoid if…
- Building a new PC
- Playing modern CPU-heavy games
- Doing video editing or streaming
- You want a path to future upgrades
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It was the most popular mid-range CPU of early 2017.
It has a base clock of 3.4 GHz.
The max turbo boost is 3.8 GHz.
It was released on January 3rd, 2017.
It is built on the 14nm Kaby Lake architecture.
It features Intel HD 630 graphics.
The processor supports dual-channel DDR4-2400 memory.
It has a 65W TDP rating.
The part number is SR335.
It lacks Hyper-Threading, limiting it to 4 threads.
People Also Ask
Is the i5-7500 good for gaming?
It struggles with modern games due to 4 cores and 4 threads, acting as a bottleneck for newer GPUs.
Does the i5-7500 support Windows 11?
Officially, no. It is not on the supported CPU list.
Can I overclock the i5-7500?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What is the difference between i5-7500 and i5-7400?
The i5-7500 has higher base and boost clock speeds (3.4/3.8 vs 3.0/3.5).
How many cores does the i5-7500 have?
It has 4 cores and 4 threads.
What is the TDP of the i5-7500?
It has a 65W TDP.
Does the i5-7500 have integrated graphics?
Yes, it includes Intel HD Graphics 630.
What memory does the i5-7500 support?
It supports dual-channel DDR4-2400.
What socket does it use?
It uses the Intel LGA 1151 socket.
Is the i5-7500 unlocked?
No, it is a locked processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What generation is the Intel Core i5-7500?
It is a 7th Generation Intel Core processor (Kaby Lake).
Does the i5-7500 support Hyper-Threading?
No, it is strictly a 4-core, 4-thread processor.
What is the base clock of the i5-7500?
The base clock is 3.4 GHz.
What is the max turbo frequency?
It can turbo boost up to 3.8 GHz.
What graphics are integrated into the i5-7500?
It features Intel HD Graphics 630.
Does the i5-7500 support DDR4?
Yes, it supports dual-channel DDR4-2400.
How much L3 cache does the i5-7500 have?
It has 6 MB of L3 cache.
What PCIe version does it support?
It supports PCIe Gen 3.
What is the part number for the i5-7500?
The part number is SR335.
Is it good for video editing?
It is only suitable for very basic 1080p editing; it lacks the cores for heavy work.