CPU Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear and somewhat counterintuitive result: the older Intel Core i5-760 consistently outperforms the Intel Core i5-2500K across every shared Cinebench test, despite the 2500K being a newer architecture. The i5-760 wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with margins hovering just above 31% in each case. While the 2500K holds advantages in clock speed, process node, and features like an unlocked multiplier and integrated graphics, the measured performance scores tell a different story. This analysis will break down the specific benchmark results, architectural divergences, and practical implications of these findings.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking finding is the uniformity of the i5-760's victory across all tested workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-760 scores 466 against the i5-2500K's 354, yielding a 31.6% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-760 posts 1942 versus 1479, a 31.3% lead. The single-core results are equally one-sided: the i5-760 achieves 273 in Cinebench R20 single-core compared to 208 for the i5-2500K, again a 31.3% gap. In the newer Cinebench R23 tests, the i5-760 continues its dominance with a multi-core score of 4624 against 3523 (31.3% ahead) and a single-core score of 652 versus 497 (31.2% ahead).

These margins are remarkably consistent, suggesting a systematic advantage rather than workload-specific variability. The i5-760 wins all five head-to-head benchmarks, with no tests favoring the i5-2500K. This is notable because the i5-2500K carries a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, compared to the i5-760's 2.80 GHz base and 3.33 GHz boost. Clock speed alone does not explain the outcome; the data indicates the i5-760's architecture delivers superior instructions-per-clock in these specific Cinebench workloads.

Looking at the broader context, both processors sit at the 35th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they are closely matched in overall standing. The i5-760's average benchmark score is 1337, while the i5-2500K trails marginally at 1329, a 0.6% difference. In the nearest rivals list, the i5-760 is compared to the i5-2500K with a deltaPct of 0.6%, while the i5-2500K sees a -0.6% deltaPct against the i5-760. These near-identical averages underscore that the head-to-head Cinebench results, where the i5-760 leads by over 31%, are not reflected in the broader benchmark average, which includes additional tests like Geekbench where the i5-2500K holds scores of 2434 multi-core and 805 single-core (tests not present for the i5-760).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from distinct architectural generations. The Intel Core i5-760 is built on the Nehalem architecture with the Lynnfield codename, while the Intel Core i5-2500K uses the Sandy Bridge architecture with the same Sandy Bridge codename. This generational gap is reflected in the manufacturing process: the i5-760 uses a 45 nm node, while the i5-2500K shrinks to 32 nm. The transistor counts differ substantially, with the i5-760 containing 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die, whereas the i5-2500K packs 1,160 million transistors into a smaller 216 mm² die.

Cache configurations also diverge. Both processors share the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 cache at 256 KB per core, but the L3 cache differs: the i5-760 offers 8 MB shared, while the i5-2500K provides 6 MB shared. Despite having less L3 cache, the i5-2500K features a smaller die and more transistors, indicating a denser design. The i5-2500K also adds integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 3000, a feature absent from the i5-760. Additionally, the i5-2500K specifies a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, a detail not listed for the i5-760, though both support dual-channel DDR3 memory.

The sockets differ as well: the i5-760 uses Intel Socket 1156, while the i5-2500K uses Intel Socket 1155. Both processors run on the same 95 W TDP, use Gen 2 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only), and do not support ECC memory. A key differentiator is the multiplier: the i5-2500K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclocking-friendly, whereas the i5-760 does not. The release dates also show a gap, with the i5-760 launching in July 2010 and the i5-2500K in January 2011.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-760 wins in every Cinebench test conducted. For multi-threaded rendering tasks like Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core, the i5-760 leads by margins of 31.3% to 31.6%. This makes it the stronger choice for applications that scale across all four cores, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or batch processing. The single-core results reinforce this trend, with the i5-760 ahead by 31.2% to 31.3% in Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core tests. This suggests the i5-760 also excels in lightly-threaded workloads like older games or single-threaded productivity apps.

The Intel Core i5-2500K, however, does not win any of the five head-to-head benchmarks. Its only recorded advantages come from tests not shared with the i5-760: Geekbench multi-core (2434) and Geekbench single-core (805). These scores indicate competitive performance in general-purpose computing, but without a direct i5-760 comparison, they cannot be used to claim superiority. The i5-2500K does offer features that could appeal in specific scenarios: an unlocked multiplier enables user-driven overclocking, integrated graphics provide a basic display output without a discrete GPU, and the newer 32 nm process with a smaller die may offer efficiency benefits, though power draw is not measured in the provided data.

For users prioritizing out-of-the-box Cinebench performance, the i5-760 is the clear winner based on the numbers. For those who value overclocking headroom or integrated graphics, the i5-2500K holds qualitative advantages, but these are not reflected in the measured benchmark scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-760 has an average benchmark score of 1337, slightly higher than the Intel Core i5-2500K's 1329, a 0.6% difference.

Q: How large is the i5-760's lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-760 scores 4624 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus the i5-2500K's 3523, giving the i5-760 a 31.3% advantage.

Q: Does the i5-2500K win any head-to-head benchmarks?

A: No, the i5-2500K loses all five head-to-head comparisons, which include Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests in both single-core and multi-core variants.

Q: What are the clock speeds of each processor?

A: The i5-760 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.33 GHz. The i5-2500K has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The Intel Core i5-2500K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-760 does not, making the 2500K more suitable for overclocking.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel DDR3 memory, but the i5-2500K specifies a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, a figure not listed for the i5-760.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the measured data, the Intel Core i5-760 is the superior performer in the shared benchmark suite. It wins all five head-to-head Cinebench tests with margins above 31%, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads. The i5-760's average benchmark score of 1337 also edges out the i5-2500K's 1329. Users whose primary concern is raw Cinebench performance should choose the i5-760 without hesitation.

The Intel Core i5-2500K, however, is not without merit. Its unlocked multiplier offers overclocking potential that the i5-760 lacks, and its integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000) provide a feature the i5-760 does not have. The 2500K also uses a newer 32 nm process with a smaller die (216 mm² versus 296 mm²) and a higher transistor count (1,160 million versus 774 million). For users planning to overclock or needing integrated graphics, these features could justify the performance deficit. Additionally, the i5-2500K has a launch MSRP of $216, which may be noted for reference.

In summary, the data favors the i5-760 for benchmark-driven performance, while the i5-2500K appeals to users seeking overclocking flexibility or integrated graphics. Both processors sit at the 35th percentile in the overall CPU ranking, indicating they are broadly similar in the wider market, but the head-to-head results give the i5-760 a decisive edge in the tests conducted.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-760 | Intel Core i5-2500K |

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

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.33 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1156 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Sandy Bridge |

| Codename | Lynnfield | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 774 million | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | 296 mm² | 216 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 25.6 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 3000 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2010-07-17 | 2011-01-08 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $216 |

| Part Number | SLBRP | SR008 |