i7-1260U vs i5-2500

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-2500
2011
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
2.59
Core i7-1260U
2022
10 cores / 12 threads, 9 Watt
8.81
+240%

Core i7-1260U outperforms Core i5-2500 by a whopping 240% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking1722861
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.66no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Alder Lake-M
Power efficiency2.5892.64
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Alder Lake-U (2022)
Release date9 January 2011 (13 years ago)23 February 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$85no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U 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)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads412
Base clock speed3.3 GHz1.1 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz4.7 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache6144 KB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size216 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature73 °C100 °C
Number of transistors1,160 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U 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
SocketLGA1155FCBGA1781
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt9 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+-
SIPP-+
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection+-
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size32 GB64 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2000Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics eligible
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHz950 MHz
Execution Unitsno data96
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported24

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096 x 2304 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.1
OpenGLno data4.6

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U.

PCIe version2.04.0
PCI Express lanes1614

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
i7-1260U 8.81
+240%

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 4112
i7-1260U 14001
+240%

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.

i5-2500 591
i7-1260U 1945
+229%

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.

i5-2500 1687
i7-1260U 6329
+275%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.59 8.81
Recency 9 January 2011 23 February 2022
Physical cores 4 10
Threads 4 12
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 9 Watt

i7-1260U has a 240.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 150% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and 955.6% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-1260U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-2500 in performance tests.

Note that Core i5-2500 is a desktop processor while Core i7-1260U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2500 and Core i7-1260U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i5-2500
Core i5-2500
Intel Core i7-1260U
Core i7-1260U

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.


3.9 1653 votes

Rate Core i5-2500 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.1 29 votes

Rate Core i7-1260U on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-2500 or Core i7-1260U, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.