Intel Core i5-2500K vs Intel Core i5-7400T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7400T and the Intel Core i5-2500K represent two distinct eras of Intel desktop computing, separated by six years of architectural evolution. The data shows a decisive victory for the newer 7400T across every benchmark, despite its significantly lower power envelope. The 2500K, once a legendary overclocking part, now finds itself outpaced by a low-power successor in every measurable workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Core i5-7400T wins all seven head-to-head comparisons, with no wins for the 2500K. The margins are consistent and substantial, ranging from 13% to 26% depending on the test.

The largest gap appears in Geekbench single-core performance. Here, the 7400T scores 1014 against the 2500K's 805, a 26% advantage. This is the clearest demonstration of how far Intel's core architecture advanced between Sandy Bridge and Kaby Lake. Single-threaded performance is critical for everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications, and the newer part's lead is commanding.

Multi-threaded workloads tell a similar story, though with slightly smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 7400T posts 3981 versus 3523 for the 2500K, a 13% difference. The Geekbench multi-core test shows the 7400T at 2864 against 2434, representing a 17.7% lead. These results are notable because the 2500K has a higher base clock (3.30 GHz vs 2.40 GHz) and a higher boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.00 GHz). Despite the clock speed disadvantage, the 7400T's architectural efficiency wins out.

The Cinebench R20 results reinforce the pattern. In multi-core, the 7400T scores 1672 versus 1479 (13% ahead), while single-core shows 236 versus 208 (13.5% ahead). The older Cinebench R15 test shows a 13.3% multi-core advantage, with scores of 401 and 354 respectively. The consistency of these margins across different benchmark generations suggests a fundamental performance gap rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Looking at the broader competitive landscape, both CPUs sit in similar percentile positions. The 7400T ranks in the 36th percentile of all CPUs, while the 2500K ranks in the 35th. Their average benchmark scores are close too: 1348 for the 7400T and 1329 for the 2500K. The 7400T's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-4670 with an average score of 1347 (0% delta), while the 2500K's closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-4460S at 1330 (-0.1% delta). This places both chips in the same performance tier overall, but the head-to-head data shows the 7400T is consistently faster in direct comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design generations. The 7400T is built on Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the 2500K uses Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm node. This process shrink is the primary driver of the 7400T's efficiency advantage — it delivers superior performance while drawing only 35 W TDP compared to the 2500K's 95 W TDP.

The transistor counts reflect this generational gap. The 2500K packs 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die, while the 7400T's transistor count is not specified in the data. The newer chip's smaller process node allows for denser, more efficient transistor packing, which contributes to its higher performance-per-watt.

Cache configurations are identical in structure. Both CPUs feature 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The equal cache hierarchy means the 7400T's performance advantage comes from architectural improvements rather than additional cache capacity.

Memory support represents another significant divergence. The 7400T supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The 2500K uses DDR3, also dual-channel, but with a lower 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. This 50% bandwidth advantage for the 7400T helps in memory-sensitive workloads and contributes to its better benchmark scores.

PCI Express connectivity also differs between the two. The 7400T provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the 2500K offers PCIe Gen 2 with the same 16 lanes. The newer standard doubles the per-lane bandwidth, which matters for discrete GPUs and NVMe storage. Integrated graphics have also improved: the 7400T ships with HD 630, while the 2500K uses Intel HD 3000.

Socket compatibility is another clear separation point. The 7400T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the 2500K uses Intel Socket 1155. These are not interchangeable, meaning upgrades between these platforms require a new motherboard. The 2500K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the 7400T's multiplier is locked. The 2500K's production status is end-of-life, whereas the 7400T remains active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-7400T is faster in every single-core test. Geekbench single-core shows 1014 versus 805 (26% advantage), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 562 versus 497 (13.1% advantage).

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The 7400T wins all multi-threaded tests. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 3981 versus 3523 (13% lead), and Geekbench multi-core shows 2864 versus 2434 (17.7% lead). Both have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The 7400T has a 35 W TDP, while the 2500K has a 95 W TDP. This represents a significant efficiency advantage for the newer chip, which delivers higher performance despite using less than half the power.

Q: Can the 2500K be overclocked?

A: Yes, the 2500K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The 7400T has a locked multiplier, so it cannot be overclocked. This is the 2500K's main potential advantage, though the benchmark data reflects stock settings.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The 7400T supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the 2500K supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The 7400T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the 2500K uses Intel Socket 1155. They require different motherboards and are not cross-compatible.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear choice for most users: the Intel Core i5-7400T is the superior processor. It wins every benchmark in the comparison, from Cinebench R15 multi-core (401 vs 354) to Geekbench single-core (1014 vs 805). The performance advantage ranges from 13% to 26%, with no test showing a 2500K win.

The 7400T's advantages extend beyond raw performance. Its 35 W TDP versus the 2500K's 95 W TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient, which matters for system cooling, electricity costs, and small form factor builds. The newer chip also supports faster DDR4 memory (38.4 GB/s vs 25.6 GB/s) and PCIe Gen 3 instead of Gen 2, making it a better match for modern components.

The 2500K retains one notable feature: an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Enthusiasts who overclock the 2500K could potentially close some of the performance gap, but the benchmark data reflects stock settings, where the 7400T dominates. The 2500K's end-of-life production status and older platform also make it a less attractive option for new builds.

For users choosing between these two, the 7400T is the logical pick. It offers better performance, lower power consumption, newer memory support, and a modern platform. The 2500K's overclocking capability and historical significance do not overcome the 7400T's fundamental superiority in every measured benchmark.

Specification Differences

The specifications where these two processors differ are substantial:

• Base Clock: 2.40 GHz (7400T) vs 3.30 GHz (2500K)
• Boost Clock: 3.00 GHz (7400T) vs 3.70 GHz (2500K)
• TDP: 35 W (7400T) vs 95 W (2500K)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1151 (7400T) vs Intel Socket 1155 (2500K)
• Architecture: Kaby Lake (7400T) vs Sandy Bridge (2500K)
• Process Node: 14 nm (7400T) vs 32 nm (2500K)
• Transistors: Not specified (7400T) vs 1,160 million (2500K)
• Die Size: Not specified (7400T) vs 216 mm² (2500K)
• Memory Support: DDR4 (7400T) vs DDR3 (2500K)
• Memory Bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s (7400T) vs 25.6 GB/s (2500K)
• PCIe: Gen 3, 16 Lanes (7400T) vs Gen 2, 16 Lanes (2500K)
• Integrated Graphics: HD 630 (7400T) vs Intel HD 3000 (2500K)
• Production Status: Active (7400T) vs End-of-life (2500K)
• Release Date: 2017-01-02 (7400T) vs 2011-01-08 (2500K)
• Launch MSRP: Not specified (7400T) vs $216 (2500K)
• Multiplier Unlocked: No (7400T) vs Yes (2500K)
• Part Number: SR332 (7400T) vs SR008 (2500K)

The two processors share identical core counts (4), thread counts (4), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), and L3 cache (6 MB shared). Both are dual-channel memory architectures with no ECC support, and both are desktop processors from Intel. The similarities end there, with the 7400T representing a more modern, efficient, and faster design across the board.