Phenom II X3 B73 vs i5-2500

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Aggregate performance score

Core i5-2500
2011
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
2.59
+167%
Phenom II X3 B73
2009
3 cores / 3 threads, 95 Watt
0.97

Core i5-2500 outperforms Phenom II X3 B73 by a whopping 167% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2500 and Phenom II X3 B73 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking17372497
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.662.94
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency2.580.97
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Heka (2009−2010)
Release date9 January 2011 (13 years ago)1 October 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$85$75

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Phenom II X3 B73 has 345% better value for money than i5-2500.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2500 and Phenom II X3 B73 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)3 (Tri-Core)
Threads43
Base clock speed3.3 GHz2.8 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz2.8 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)128 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)512 KB (per core)
L3 cache6144 KB (shared)6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm45 nm
Die size216 mm2258 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °Cno data
Number of transistors1,160 million758 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2500 and Phenom II X3 B73 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketLGA1155AM3
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2500 and Phenom II X3 B73. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXno data
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology-no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Flex Memory Access+no data
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i5-2500 and Phenom II X3 B73 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2500 and Phenom II X3 B73 are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2500 and Phenom II X3 B73. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2000On certain motherboards (Chipset feature)
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2500 and Phenom II X3 B73 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2500 and Phenom II X3 B73.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes16no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i5-2500 2.59
+167%
Phenom II X3 B73 0.97

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i5-2500 4113
+167%
Phenom II X3 B73 1538

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.59 0.97
Recency 9 January 2011 1 October 2009
Physical cores 4 3
Threads 4 3
Chip lithography 32 nm 45 nm

i5-2500 has a 167% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, and a 40.6% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i5-2500 is our recommended choice as it beats the Phenom II X3 B73 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2500 and Phenom II X3 B73, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i5-2500
Core i5-2500
AMD Phenom II X3 B73
Phenom II X3 B73

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.9 1681 vote

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-2500 or Phenom II X3 B73, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.