Greetings and welcome to the ultimate review; written by: L2MICRO! (CPU Code name: Sandy Bridge)
This chip handles everything! It is great for gaming, photo editing, video streaming, etc.
First Things First
(IMPORTANT!!!) This chip does not go into an H55 motherboard. I can't stress this enough! The 1156 sockets are not compatible with this chip. If you want to get this chip, you need to either upgrade to a P67/H67 or Z68 motherboard first. The socket you need is a LGA 1155. This is you're only major requirement.
This chip is EXTREMELY similar to the i7 2600k, but at 100 dollars cheaper, the single most major difference between an i5 2500k and an i7 2600k, is the Hyper Threading feature that the i7 2600k has. The i5 2500k does not have it. If you're in the market for an Intel processor and all you do is game, some photo editing with Photoshop, or stream, than get your hands on an i5 2500k (The k means overclock-able. no K means the core speed is locked and won't overclock). Gaming, in general, does not support and may even decrease your gaming performances with a hyper threaded enabled Intel core processor, which means, you can compromise with confidence. Most (if not all) games only use about 1 to 2 cores on your processor anyway. For $100 cheaper, Hyper Threading does not make a difference in gaming performance, but if you do many different things and run many different programs at once, Hyper Threading might just be what you are looking.
The stocked clock speeds for the i5 2500k is 3.3ghz. The i7 2600k has 3.4ghz speed. Not a huge difference, right? Especially when you can overclock your i5 2500k a little to reach the 3.4ghz speed, easily. The i5 2500k processor has slightly upgraded Intel HD graphics (3000 engine) VS the i7 2600k (2000 engine). This feature only applies to Z68 motherboards users, as these users have integrated vedio on the motherboard or "on board graphics". All this means is if you don't have a Z68 motherboard, you won't be able to overclock this processor and use the HD Graphics 3000 engine at the same time. Add a graphics card to you system and you don't need to worry about this factor. This core processor works just as good with H67 or P67 motherboards perfectly. That is pretty much it. Perfect for gamers.
Differences in a nut shell!
- i7 2600k 8mb cache (very little performance increase for the price)
-> i5 2500k 6mb cache
- i7 2600k Hyper Threading feature
-> i5 2500k None
- i7 2600k 3.40ghz speed
-> i5 2500k 3.30ghz speed (Easily overclocked to 3.40ghz or higher)
Things you should know!
- These chips work best with ram at 8gb or 12gb on a x64 bit systems. This CPU loves RAM modules STOCKED/CLOCKED to 1.5 volts and no less than 1333mhz of speed. These chips also prefer timings of 9-9-9-24 timings. However, 8-8-8-24 timings are viable.
- i5 2500k is easily overclocked to 4.1ghz with BIOS tweaks or third party software. Anything higher than than a core speed of 4.1ghz, will cause a hotter CPU. I would suggest switching to a water cooled system setup, because you may run into a 60 degrees Celsius increase without water heat removal. Stock or fan operated heat-sinks are only good to a certain point.
- When you buy an Intel processor, it will come with a case badge to place on your PC case to show your friends. It'll be on the back of your Intel manual booklet.
- The i5 Intel processor also comes with stock heat-sink that you may or may not use. I prefer after market heat-sinks, because the stock heat-sinks don't cool all that well and, from my experience, after market heat-sinks perform better and last longer; Especially, if you're going to overclock your CPU. I would also suggest picking up an after market cooler if you are planning to overclock this CPU.
Thermal Paste & You
- There is an applied application of thermal paste compound on your Intel i5 2500K stock heat-sink already. I would suggest removing and applying a new application from paste you purchased. If you have or bought an after market heat-sink, that I explained above, please use only a PEA SIZED amount of thermal compound for best, even spread, as well as, better heat transference. Remember, Less is more! Keep in mind when purchasing and allying thermal paste to your CPU that lower viscosity thermal compounds require more than a pea sized amount, because they don't spread as easily compared to higher viscosity pastes. Arctic Silver 5, MX-4, and OCZ freeze are better brands to consider for a best application.
Testing results!
I tested this CPU with Prime95 for 20 hours without any errors. Buying the right memory also factors into these tests and errors. When you do test, using Prime95 or a different program, RAM does contribute to errors/blue screens and can easily be mistaken for a CPU issue. My solution to this would be to run a memory diagnoses test first, as well as, test the CPU with Prime95 after.
That is pretty much it.
Thank you for reading my review! Hope you enjoy your new processor!
| Processor | 3.3 GHz core_i5 |
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