i9-9960X vs i5-2500K

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2500K and Core i9-9960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1688	286
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.33	5.22
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Series	Core i5 (Desktop)	Intel Core i9
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Skylake (server) (2017−2019)
Release date	3 January 2011 (13 years ago)	8 October 2018 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$216	$1,684

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-9960X has 1482% better value for money than i5-2500K.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2500K and Core i9-9960X 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 cores	4 (Quad-Core)	16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads	4	32
Base clock speed	3.3 GHz	3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.7 GHz	4.5 GHz
Bus type	no data	DMI 3.0
Bus rate	5 GT/s	4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplier	no data	31
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	1 MB
L2 cache	1 MB	16 MB
L3 cache	6 MB	22 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Die size	216 mm2	484 mm2
Maximum core temperature	73 °C	85 °C
Number of transistors	995 Million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	+
Unlocked multiplier	+	+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2500K and Core i9-9960X 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 configuration	1	1 (Uniprocessor)
Socket	LGA1155	FCLGA2066
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	165 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2500K and Core i9-9960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	-	+
TSX	-	+
Idle States	+	no data
Thermal Monitoring	+	-
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	+
FDI	+	no data
Fast Memory Access	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i5-2500K and Core i9-9960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	no data
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	+	-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2500K and Core i9-9960X are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2500K and Core i9-9960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size	32 GB	128 GB
Max memory channels	2	4
Maximum memory bandwidth	21 GB/s	85.33 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel HD Graphics 3000	N/A
Quick Sync Video	+	-
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.1 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2500K and Core i9-9960X integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

2

no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2500K and Core i9-9960X.

PCIe version	2.0	3.0
PCI Express lanes	16	44

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.

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	2.66	19.63
Recency	3 January 2011	8 October 2018
Physical cores	4	16
Threads	4	32
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	95 Watt	165 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2500K and Core i9-9960X, 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.

---