i5-2550K vs i5-8250U

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Aggregate performance score

Core i5-8250U
2017
4 cores / 8 threads, 15 Watt
3.88
+49.2%
Core i5-2550K
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
2.60

Core i5-8250U outperforms Core i5-2550K by a considerable 49% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking14581733
Place by popularity38not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data1.65
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5no data
Power efficiency24.462.59
Architecture codenameKaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date21 August 2017 (7 years ago)January 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$297$189

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K 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)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads84
Base clock speed1.6 GHz3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.4 GHz3.8 GHz
Bus typeOPIno data
Bus rate4 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier16no data
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB (shared)6144 KB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die size123 mm2216 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C73 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data1160 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCBGA1356,FC-BGA1356FCLGA1155,LGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)15 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shift+no data
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
Smart Response+no data
FDIno data-
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT--
EDB++
Secure Key+no data
Identity Protection++
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d+-
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth38.397 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 620no data
Max video memory32 GBno data
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+-
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHzno data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
DVI+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096x2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096x2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096x2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.4no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes1216

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.

i5-8250U 3.88
+49.2%
i5-2550K 2.60

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.

i5-8250U 6158
+49%
i5-2550K 4134

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i5-8250U 771
+10.9%
i5-2550K 695

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i5-8250U 1971
i5-2550K 2092
+6.1%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.88 2.60
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 15 Watt 95 Watt

i5-8250U has a 49.2% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more threads, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 533.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-8250U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-2550K in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i5-8250U is a notebook processor while Core i5-2550K is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-8250U and Core i5-2550K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i5-8250U
Core i5-8250U
Intel Core i5-2550K
Core i5-2550K

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

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


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Questions & comments

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