Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge Processor Video Review

So I recently built a computer and I was looking at both the Core i7-2600K and the Core i5-2500K. I decided to go with the i5-2500K though and this is a review of that processor and I explain why I chose the i5 over the i7.

So both the 2500K and the 2600K are Sandy Bridge or second generation Core processors from Intel. They both have four cores, and they both can be overclocked. Overall the processors are very similar although the big difference is that the Core i7 has more cache and is clocked a bit more right out of the box. Plus it has Hyper-threading which allows it to have eight threads instead of four. The price difference is right about $100 between the processors so I just went with the 2500K since the benchmarks I saw didn't show much of a difference between the processors. I haven't been disappointed with my decision yet.

So the Core i5-2500K costs right about $220 right now depending on where you buy it. It uses the LGA 1155 socket and uses Intel's 32nm Sandy Bridge core. Right out of the box this quad core processor with four threads is clocked at 3.3GHz although turbo boost brings it up to 3.7GHz. Although it is a K series processor so you can overclock it too. And I did end up overclocking it. It has four 256KB of L2 cache and 6MB of L3 cache. Plus it has Intel HD Graphics 3000.

So as you can tell this is one of Intel's fastest processors and really one of the fastest processors on the market right now. Plus it's fully unlocked so if you go with a P67 or Z68 motherboard you can overclock the processor as far as your system will allow. I personally started at 4.4GHz with the stock Intel cooler and then went up to 4.5GHz a bit later since I found both to have about the same temperatures. In the end the processor is about 50 degrees C at idle and about 80 degrees C at full load which isn't too bad for the stock cooler. Although I'm planning on getting an aftermarket cooler for the processor...

Full written review: http://gtmurl.com/mnFPKS

Blog: http://zlstudios.net

Twitter: http://twitter.com/cusinndzl

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• intel
• sandy bridge
• second generation core
• core
• intel sandy bridge
• core i5
• sandy bridge core i5
• core i5-2500k
• 2500k
• overclock
• stock cooler
• computer build
• video
• review
• video review
• cpu-z
• cpuz
• heatsink
• stock heatsink
• 4.5ghz
• 32nm
• lga1155
• lga 1155
• 1155
• 95w

[BASSxACE]

Why in the hell would you overclock an I5 2500k to 4.5ghz with the stock cooler. Yea 80c is under the limit by about 15c, but you dont see much of a difference in games since its already a beast. Its not worth pumping 1.35-1.4 volts in it. PPL dont overclock this cpu with a stock cooler, not much gain with a bigger risk of shortening cpu life and possibly frying the cpu. I have my 2500k at 4.5ghz at 1.365v with asetek water cooler at 35c idle 65c full load (gaming). (70c Prime 95)

[cusinndzl]

@BASSxACE This was kind of just to show the overclocking. I now have a Hyper 212+ and it runs very cool.

[feubarkada]

hey! i just build my pc with this cpu, but my cpu core is only 1600mhz. Is there something wrong with that?

[cusinndzl]

@feubarkada Try changing your Windows power mode to high performance. If it isn't the processor is underclocked to save energy when a ton of power isn't needed.

[kaasiic12]

@feubarkada try starting up some games, it will bounce up to 3.3ghz. It shows 1.6 only when your not doing anything

[AdityaNair1000]

@feubarkada must be your ram speed

[NoviPublicAccess]

Good info, but you really look like the classic oldschool nerd. You should go into acting, you would make a perfect TV nerd

[sohcsarewicked]

@cusinndzl Ok thanks!

[cusinndzl]

@sohcsarewicked If you want either integrated graphics or to be able to take advantage of Smart Response Technology then I'd go with a Z68 board like the MSI Z68A-G43. If you don't need those then a P67 board like the MSI MSI P67A-C43.

[sohcsarewicked]

@cusinndzl Hi could you recommend a motherboard to go with this processor...i'm looking to build a system mostly for encoding