Intel Core i5-2500S vs Intel Processor N100 Comparison

The Intel Processor N100 and Intel Core i5-2500S are two very different processors that happen to land in the same performance tier, with the N100 taking 2 of 3 direct head-to-head benchmark wins. The data shows a clear split: the modern N100 dominates in single-threaded workloads and older multi-threaded tests, while the decade-older i5-2500S pulls ahead in the more demanding Cinebench R23 multi-core test. Despite their differing ages and architectures, both CPUs share an identical 27th percentile ranking among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly inseparable.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory belongs to the Intel Processor N100 in Cinebench R23 single-core testing, where it scores 910.5 against the i5-2500S’s 404. That is a 125.4% deltaPct advantage—more than double the older chip’s performance. This result reflects the massive generational leap in per-core efficiency; the N100’s Gracemont architecture delivers a single-thread score that the Sandy Bridge design cannot approach, even though the i5-2500S has a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz compared to the N100’s 3.40 GHz.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N100 again takes the win, scoring 401.5 versus 288 for the i5-2500S, a 39.4% deltaPct advantage. This older test favors the N100’s architecture and memory support (DDR4/DDR5 versus DDR3), allowing it to outperform despite the i5-2500S having a 65W TDP versus the N100’s 6W TDP. The N100’s 2 MB shared L2 cache and 6 MB shared L3 cache, combined with its 10 nm process node, clearly outclass the i5-2500S’s 32 nm process and 256 KB per-core L2 cache in this workload.

However, the i5-2500S strikes back in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 2867 against the N100’s 2559.5, a -10.7% deltaPct in favor of the older chip. This is the only head-to-head benchmark the i5-2500S wins, and it is significant because R23 is a more modern and demanding test. The i5-2500S’s higher base clock of 2.70 GHz (versus the N100’s 100.00 MHz base clock, which is effectively a placeholder for its variable efficiency cores) and dual-channel memory bus likely contribute to this sustained multi-threaded performance. The N100’s single-channel memory bus, despite a higher theoretical bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, cannot compensate in this prolonged workload.

When looking at broader benchmark data, the two CPUs are nearly identical in overall standing. The N100’s avgBenchmarkScore is 1007, while the i5-2500S is 1004, a difference of just 0.3%. The nearest rivals confirm this parity: the N100’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-10210Y (deltaPct 0.1), while the i5-2500S’s closest is the Intel Core i5-4300M (deltaPct 0). Both CPUs also share the same 27th percentile, meaning they outperform roughly a quarter of all CPUs tracked.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Processor N100 is the clear winner for single-threaded and lightly-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 910.5 is 125.4% higher than the i5-2500S, making it the better choice for applications that rely on per-core performance, such as web browsing, office productivity, and older games that cannot utilize many cores. The N100 also wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core, suggesting it handles legacy software and moderate multi-threading better. Its 6W TDP makes it far more power-efficient, which is a critical advantage for mobile devices, mini PCs, and fanless designs where heat and battery life are constraints. The N100’s newer integrated graphics, UHD Graphics 730, also surpass the i5-2500S’s Intel HD 2000, offering better visual output for basic media playback and light gaming without a discrete GPU.

The Intel Core i5-2500S wins in the most demanding multi-threaded benchmark available in this comparison, Cinebench R23 multi-core, with a score of 2867 versus 2559.5. This suggests it has better sustained multi-core performance under heavy, modern loads. Its dual-channel memory bus, which the N100 lacks, provides a bandwidth advantage that becomes apparent in memory-intensive tasks. The i5-2500S also benefits from a higher boost clock (3.70 GHz) and a higher base clock (2.70 GHz), which helps in scenarios where all four cores are active for extended periods. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or other CPU-intensive tasks that scale with cores and cache, the i5-2500S’s 6 MB shared L3 cache and larger 256 KB per-core L2 cache (versus the N100’s 2 MB shared L2) provide a structural advantage.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Processor N100 is significantly faster, scoring 910.5 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 404 for the Intel Core i5-2500S, a 125.4% deltaPct advantage.

Q: Does the older i5-2500S beat the N100 in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i5-2500S wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 2867 compared to the N100’s 2559.5, a -10.7% deltaPct in its favor.

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of these two CPUs?

A: Both CPUs share the same 27th percentile ranking among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1007 for the N100 and 1004 for the i5-2500S.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Processor N100 features UHD Graphics 730, while the Intel Core i5-2500S has Intel HD 2000, indicating a newer and more capable graphics solution on the N100.

Q: How do their memory support differ?

A: The N100 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a single-channel memory bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-2500S supports only DDR3 with a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which CPU is more power-efficient?

A: The N100 has a TDP of 6W, while the i5-2500S has a TDP of 65W, making the N100 dramatically more power-efficient.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every specification category. The N100 has a base clock of 100.00 MHz (effectively a low-power idle state) and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the i5-2500S has a 2.70 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost. TDP is a major differentiator: the N100 draws 6W versus the i5-2500S’s 65W. Sockets are incompatible: the N100 uses Intel BGA 1264, and the i5-2500S uses Intel Socket 1155. The N100 is a mobile-market chip (Active production), while the i5-2500S is a desktop chip (End-of-life). Memory support differs completely: the N100 supports DDR4/DDR5 with a single-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-2500S supports only DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and no listed bandwidth. PCIe lanes differ: the N100 has Gen 3 with 9 lanes, and the i5-2500S has Gen 3 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 on the N100 versus Intel HD 2000 on the i5-2500S. The N100 has a launch MSRP of $128; the i5-2500S has no listed launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is generational. The N100 uses the Gracemont architecture on a 10 nm process node, with a codename of Gracemont and a generation of Intel Processor (Alder Lake-N). The i5-2500S uses Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm process node, with a generation of Core i5 (Sandy Bridge). The N100 has 1,160 million fewer transistors listed—its transistor count is null, while the i5-2500S has 1,160 million—and the i5-2500S has a die size of 216 mm², while the N100’s is null. Cache hierarchies differ: the N100 has 96 KB L1 per core and 2 MB shared L2, while the i5-2500S has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core. Both share 6 MB of L3 cache. Neither CPU supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. The N100’s part number is SRMDM, while the i5-2500S is SR009.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear recommendation based on workload. Choose the Intel Processor N100 if you prioritize single-threaded performance, power efficiency, and modern connectivity. Its 125.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 39.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core make it the superior choice for everyday computing, light productivity, and any task that does not require sustained heavy multi-core loads. Its 6W TDP, DDR4/DDR5 support, and newer UHD Graphics 730 make it ideal for compact, low-power systems.

Choose the Intel Core i5-2500S if your workloads are heavily multi-threaded and sustained over long periods. Its win in Cinebench R23 multi-core (2867 versus 2559.5) shows it can maintain higher throughput in demanding rendering or encoding tasks, likely due to its dual-channel memory bus and higher sustained clock speeds. However, its 65W TDP, DDR3-only support, and End-of-life production status make it a less attractive option for new builds. The overall benchmarks are essentially tied—1007 versus 1004 average scores and identical 27th percentiles—so the decision comes down to whether you value the N100’s efficiency and single-core speed or the i5-2500S’s edge in the most modern multi-threaded test.