Xeon L5638 vs i5-2500K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-2500K
2011
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
2.60
+11.6%
Xeon L5638
2010
6 cores / 12 threads, 60 Watt
2.33

Core i5-2500K outperforms Xeon L5638 by a moderate 12% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2500K and Xeon L5638 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking17341803
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.391.73
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesCore i5 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency2.593.67
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
Release date9 January 2011 (13 years ago)16 March 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$216$90

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon L5638 has 344% better value for money than i5-2500K.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2500K and Xeon L5638 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)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads412
Base clock speed3.3 GHz2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz2.4 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size216 mm2239 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C85 °C
Number of transistors1,160 million1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2500K and Xeon L5638 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 configuration12
SocketLGA1155FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt60 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2500K and Xeon L5638. 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)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring+-
Flex Memory Access+no data
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i5-2500K and Xeon L5638 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB+no data
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2500K and Xeon L5638 are enumerated here.

VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2500K and Xeon L5638. 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 3000no data
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 i5-2500K and Xeon L5638 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2500K and Xeon L5638.

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.

i5-2500K 2.60
+11.6%
Xeon L5638 2.33

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.

i5-2500K 4123
+11.2%
Xeon L5638 3707

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.60 2.33
Recency 9 January 2011 16 March 2010
Physical cores 4 6
Threads 4 12
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 60 Watt

i5-2500K has a 11.6% higher aggregate performance score, and an age advantage of 9 months.

Xeon L5638, on the other hand, has 50% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and 58.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-2500K is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon L5638 in performance tests.

Note that Core i5-2500K is a desktop processor while Xeon L5638 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2500K and Xeon L5638, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i5-2500K
Core i5-2500K
Intel Xeon L5638
Xeon L5638

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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