Intel Core i5-2500K vs Intel Core i7-3610QE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear split between these two processors, with each claiming victory in distinct categories. The Intel Core i7-3610QE dominates the Cinebench suite, while the Intel Core i5-2500K takes both Geekbench tests.

The most lopsided result in the entire comparison is the Geekbench single-core test. The i5-2500K scores 805 against the i7-3610QE's 560, a 43.8% margin. This is a substantial gap, indicating a significant per-clock performance advantage for the desktop part in this particular workload. The Geekbench multi-core test also favors the i5-2500K, with a score of 2434 versus 1954, a 24.6% lead. This is notable because the i7-3610QE has twice the thread count, yet still trails by roughly a quarter in this benchmark family.

The Cinebench results tell the opposite story, and the margin is consistent across every version. The i7-3610QE wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 456 points over 354, a 22.4% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i7-3610QE posts 1903 versus 1479, a 22.3% lead. The single-core Cinebench R20 result shows 268 for the i7-3610QE against 208 for the i5-2500K, another 22.4% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core mirrors the pattern: 4533 for the i7-3610QE versus 3523 for the i5-2500K, a 22.3% difference. Even the Cinebench R23 single-core test, which usually favors higher clock speeds, goes to the i7-3610QE by 639 to 497, a 22.2% margin.

The overall win tally is 5 for the i7-3610QE and 2 for the i5-2500K. The i7-3610QE's wins are remarkably uniform, all falling between 22.2% and 22.4%. The i5-2500K's wins are larger in percentage terms but confined to a single benchmark family. The average benchmark score tells a nuanced story: the i5-2500K averages 1329 points, while the i7-3610QE averages 1297. Both processors sit at the 35th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same overall performance tier despite their divergent workload-specific results.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-2500K has an average benchmark score of 1329, while the Intel Core i7-3610QE has an average of 1297, a difference of 32 points in favor of the desktop part.

Q: How does the i7-3610QE compare to the i5-2500K in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-3610QE scores 4533 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 22.3% higher than the i5-2500K's 3523.

Q: What is the largest performance gap recorded between these two CPUs?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the i5-2500K leads by 43.8% with a score of 805 versus the i7-3610QE's 560.

Q: Do both processors occupy the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the i5-2500K and the i7-3610QE are recorded at the 35th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons in the head-to-head data?

A: The i7-3610QE wins 5 of the 7 recorded comparisons, while the i5-2500K wins 2.

Q: How close are the nearest rivals for each CPU?

A: The i5-2500K's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-4460S with an average score of 1330, a 0.1% difference. The i7-3610QE's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-3570K with an average score of 1293, a 0.3% difference.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is substantial, spanning two generations of Intel design. The i5-2500K is built on Sandy Bridge architecture, fabricated on a 32 nm process, while the i7-3610QE uses the newer Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process. This process shrink has direct physical consequences: the i5-2500K has 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die, whereas the i7-3610QE packs 1,400 million transistors into a smaller 160 mm² die.

Both processors share the same core configuration in terms of physical resources: 4 cores, 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The critical architectural difference lies in threading. The i5-2500K supports 4 threads total, one per core, with no hyper-threading. The i7-3610QE supports 8 threads, enabling two threads per core. This explains the i7-3610QE's consistent lead in Cinebench, a suite that scales well with additional threads.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i5-2500K includes Intel HD 3000, while the i7-3610QE includes Intel HD 4000. This represents a graphics architecture refresh alongside the CPU core update. The memory controller remains dual-channel DDR3 for both, but the i5-2500K has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i7-3610QE has no memory bandwidth figure listed in the database.

The i5-2500K has an unlocked multiplier, making it a desktop enthusiast part. The i7-3610QE has a locked multiplier, consistent with its mobile market position. The i5-2500K also supports PCIe Gen 2 with 16 CPU lanes; the i7-3610QE has no PCIe data recorded. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The production status differs as well: the i5-2500K is listed as end-of-life, while the i7-3610QE has no production status recorded.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several clear distinctions between the two processors.

• Threads: The i5-2500K has 4 threads; the i7-3610QE has 8 threads.
• Base Clock: The i5-2500K runs at 3.30 GHz; the i7-3610QE runs at 2.30 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The i5-2500K boosts to 3.70 GHz; the i7-3610QE boosts to 3.30 GHz.
• TDP: The i5-2500K has a 95 W TDP; the i7-3610QE has a 45 W TDP.
• Socket: The i5-2500K uses Intel Socket 1155; the i7-3610QE uses Intel Socket G2 (988B).
• Process Node: The i5-2500K is on 32 nm; the i7-3610QE is on 22 nm.
• Transistors: The i5-2500K has 1,160 million; the i7-3610QE has 1,400 million.
• Die Size: The i5-2500K measures 216 mm²; the i7-3610QE measures 160 mm².
• Integrated Graphics: The i5-2500K has Intel HD 3000; the i7-3610QE has Intel HD 4000.
• Market Segment: The i5-2500K is Desktop; the i7-3610QE is Mobile.
• Release Date: The i5-2500K launched on 2011-01-08; the i7-3610QE launched on 2012-04-28.
• Launch MSRP: The i5-2500K has a launch MSRP of $216; the i7-3610QE has no recorded launch MSRP.
• Multiplier: The i5-2500K is unlocked; the i7-3610QE is locked.
• Part Number: The i5-2500K is SR008; the i7-3610QE is SR0NP.
• Memory Bandwidth: The i5-2500K has 25.6 GB/s; the i7-3610QE has no recorded value.
• PCIe: The i5-2500K has Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only); the i7-3610QE has no recorded value.

The specifications that are identical include cores (4), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), L3 cache (6 MB shared), memory bus (dual-channel), and ECC support (false for both).

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. The i7-3610QE is the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering workloads, as demonstrated by its uniform 22% lead across all four Cinebench tests. Its 8 threads provide a measurable advantage in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both in multi-core and single-core variants. The consistency of these margins, all within 0.2 percentage points of each other, suggests a stable architectural advantage in this benchmark family.

The i5-2500K is the stronger choice for Geekbench-style workloads, where it leads by 24.6% in multi-core and 43.8% in single-core. Its higher base and boost clocks, 3.30 GHz and 3.70 GHz respectively versus 2.30 GHz and 3.30 GHz for the i7-3610QE, appear to drive this advantage. The Geekbench results indicate that raw clock speed matters more than thread count in this particular suite.

The average benchmark score slightly favors the i5-2500K at 1329 versus 1297, and both sit at the 35th percentile overall. The i5-2500K's nearest rivals are within 0.6% of its average score, while the i7-3610QE's nearest rivals are within 0.7%. This places both processors in a tightly contested performance band.

For a user prioritizing Cinebench-style multi-threaded rendering, the i7-3610QE is the data-backed choice. For a user prioritizing Geekbench-style single-thread performance or general desktop responsiveness, the i5-2500K offers a decisive edge. The i5-2500K also provides the flexibility of an unlocked multiplier, which the i7-3610QE lacks. The i7-3610QE counters with a much lower TDP of 45 W versus 95 W, making it the more power-efficient option on paper. The final selection depends entirely on which benchmark family aligns with the intended workload.