Intel Core i5-2405S vs Intel Core i5-2500S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a split decision between these two Sandy Bridge quad-core processors. The Intel Core i5-2405S wins five of the seven recorded tests, while the Intel Core i5-2500S takes the remaining two with notably larger margins.

In the Cinebench suite, the i5-2405S consistently edges ahead. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 291 against the i5-2500S's 288, a 1% advantage. The margin narrows in Cinebench R20 multicore: 1213 versus 1204, a 0.7% lead. Single-core results follow the same pattern, with the i5-2405S posting 171 in Cinebench R20 single-core against 169, a 1.2% difference, and 408 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 404, a 1% edge. The largest Cinebench gap appears in R23 multicore, where the i5-2405S scores 2890 compared to 2867, a 0.8% lead.

The picture flips dramatically in Geekbench. The i5-2500S posts 1511 in Geekbench multicore against 1425 for the i5-2405S, a substantial 6% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-2500S scores 582 versus 541, a 7.6% lead. These are the only tests where the i5-2500S wins, but the margins are much wider than any of the i5-2405S's victories.

The average benchmark score reflects this split: the i5-2500S averages 1004 points, while the i5-2405S averages 991. Both processors sit at the 27th percentile among all CPUs in the database, placing them in the same performance tier despite their individual test differences.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture. They are built on Sandy Bridge, use a 32 nm process node, and are manufactured by Intel with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. Each has 4 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache configurations: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

The clock speeds differ, and this is where the i5-2500S should theoretically hold an advantage. The i5-2500S has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The i5-2405S operates at a 2.50 GHz base clock and 3.30 GHz boost. Despite the higher clocks on the i5-2500S, the benchmark results show it losing most Cinebench tests, suggesting other factors are at play.

The integrated graphics present a notable difference. The i5-2500S ships with Intel HD 2000, while the i5-2405S includes Intel HD 3000. This is a tangible feature gap, as the HD 3000 is the more capable graphics solution in the Sandy Bridge lineup. For users relying on integrated graphics, this difference could matter more than CPU benchmark scores.

Both processors share the same socket (Intel Socket 1155), memory support (DDR3, dual-channel), and PCIe configuration (Gen 3, 16 lanes from the CPU). Neither supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. They are both end-of-life desktop parts, with the i5-2500S released on 2011-01-08 and the i5-2405S on 2011-05-21.

Where Each One Wins

The data suggests distinct use cases for each processor. The i5-2405S demonstrates consistent strength in Cinebench workloads, which are heavily optimized for multi-threaded rendering tasks. Its wins across every Cinebench test, from R15 through R23, indicate that in content creation scenarios using Cinebench-style rendering, it delivers slightly better performance. The margins are small, between 0.7% and 1.2%, but they are consistent across both multicore and single-core variants of the test.

The i5-2500S shows a clear advantage in Geekbench, which is a more general-purpose benchmark covering a wider range of real-world tasks including encryption, compression, and memory operations. Its 6% multicore and 7.6% single-core leads are significant, suggesting that in everyday computing scenarios, the i5-2500S is the faster chip. The higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.30 GHz likely contributes to this advantage in bursty, single-threaded workloads.

For gaming or general desktop use, the i5-2500S appears to have the edge based on Geekbench results. For rendering workloads, the i5-2405S is the safer choice. The i5-2405S also has the superior integrated graphics (HD 3000 versus HD 2000), which could be decisive for systems without a discrete GPU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-2500S has an average benchmark score of 1004, while the Intel Core i5-2405S averages 991, a difference of 13 points in favor of the i5-2500S.

Q: Does the i5-2500S win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the i5-2500S wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 1511 in Geekbench multicore (a 6% lead) and 582 in Geekbench single-core (a 7.6% lead) against the i5-2405S.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the i5-2500S leads by 7.6%. The second-largest gap is also in Geekbench, with a 6% multicore lead for the i5-2500S.

Q: How do the clock speeds compare?

A: The i5-2500S has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The i5-2405S has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-2405S includes Intel HD 3000 graphics, while the i5-2500S has Intel HD 2000. The HD 3000 is the more advanced integrated graphics solution.

Q: Are both processors from the same generation?

A: Yes, both are Sandy Bridge architecture processors from the Core i5 generation, built on the 32 nm process node. They also share the same socket, cache sizes, and memory support.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a nuanced picture. The i5-2405S is the winner in five of seven tests, but its victories are narrow, never exceeding 1.2%. The i5-2500S wins only two tests, but those wins are decisive: a 6% multicore and 7.6% single-core advantage in Geekbench. The average benchmark scores slightly favor the i5-2500S (1004 versus 991), reinforcing that its wins carry more weight.

For users prioritizing Geekbench-style workloads, which approximate general computing tasks, the i5-2500S is the stronger pick. Its higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz appears to translate into meaningful real-world performance. For users focused on Cinebench rendering tasks, the i5-2405S offers a small but consistent edge. Additionally, the i5-2405S includes Intel HD 3000 graphics, which is a superior integrated solution compared to the HD 2000 found in the i5-2500S.

The choice ultimately depends on the workload. The data shows a clear trade-off: the i5-2500S for general computing and burst performance, the i5-2405S for rendering and integrated graphics capability. Both processors sit at the 27th percentile in the database, so neither represents a major performance outlier. The i5-2500S's average score of 1004 places it in the same performance tier as the Intel Core i5-4300M (1004, 0% delta) and Intel Core i7-5600U (1005, -0.1% delta). The i5-2405S's average of 991 places it near the Intel Core i7-960 (993, -0.2% delta) and AMD Phenom II X6 1065T (993, -0.2% delta).

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2500S | Intel Core i5-2405S |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 | Intel HD 3000 |

| Release Date | 2011-01-08 | 2011-05-21 |

| Part Number | SR009 | SR0BB |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 1004 | 991 |

| Cinebench R15 Multicore | 288 | 291 |

| Cinebench R20 Multicore | 1204 | 1213 |

| Cinebench R20 Single-core | 169 | 171 |

| Cinebench R23 Multicore | 2867 | 2890 |

| Cinebench R23 Single-core | 404 | 408 |

| Geekbench Multicore | 1511 | 1425 |

| Geekbench Single-core | 582 | 541 |

All other specifications are identical: 4 cores, 4 threads, 65 W TDP, Intel Socket 1155, Sandy Bridge architecture, 32 nm process, 1,160 million transistors, 216 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3, DDR3 dual-channel memory support, no ECC, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, locked multiplier, and end-of-life production status.