The mid-range processor in 2011, which allows you to solve any problems even now, is the “Cor i5 2500” from Intel. It is his parameters and reviews about him that will be examined in detail.
What tasks is this CPU focused on?
The last several generations of processors from Intel socket 1155 of the first generation (namely, the hero of this review refers to this socket for the CPU) were positioned as follows:
Redundant CPUs are the Core i7. These are flagship solutions that could boast of high speed and the presence of 4 computing units and 8 threads at once.
Chips with a normal level of performance, which allows you to run any software on such a computer hardware. The difference with the previous generation is that in the previous case, all programs come with the highest possible settings, and in this case sometimes you have to sacrifice something. These chips had an index of "i5". As you can easily guess from the marking of the CPU, the i5 2500 processor refers specifically to this niche of processor solutions.
“Cor i3” could boast of even lower level of productivity and, as a result, lower cost in comparison with the previous two segments. This chip has only 2 computing units, which at the software level turn into 4 computing threads.
The budget segment is occupied by the Pentium and Celerons. They are perfect for undemanding tasks. But serious toys if they go, then in a very truncated version (that is, with minimal settings).
What, apart from the central processor, comes with it?
The package bundle for this processor solution is quite typical. It includes:
Socket
As noted earlier, this CPU was oriented towards the most popular processor socket of 2011-2012 - it is socket 1155. It is easy to understand from the marking that it had 1155 contacts for installing the processor. Motherboards with such a connector can still be obtained. And even entry-level processors are still on sale. But high-performance solutions can be bought only those that were already in use.
Technological process
Intel Cor i5 2500 was manufactured according to the norms of 32nm of the technological process. To date, this process is outdated. Advanced solutions from Intel are currently being manufactured using 14nm technology. But later processor solutions of this manufacturer in terms of heat dissipation have become much worse and heat up much more. The best in this regard are the 32nm chips of the Sandy Bridge generation, to which this semiconductor crystal belongs. And the main chip here is not in the technological process, but in thermal paste, which is located between the semiconductor crystal and the upper radiator cap.
Fast volatile chip memory
First cache level in Cor i5 2500 divided into 4 parts, each of which is assigned to a specific module. It should also be noted that this memory is divided into 2 equal parts of 32 kb each. The first of them stores the instructions of the CPU, and the second - data. Its total size is 256 kb. The second level is also divided into 4 parts of 256 kb. Again, each of them only works for a specific computing module and there is no strict separation into the stored type of information in this case. The last cache level is the third. Its size is 6 MB and they are common to the entire CPU.
What kind of RAM can this chip work with?
This chip allows you to use as part of a computer system only RAM standard DDR3. At the time of the release of the CPU in 2011, there was no alternative to this type of RAM. And now, after 5 years, it still continues to be relevant and the most common. But still now it is being actively replaced by DDR4.
Thermal mode
Maximum Temperature for Intel i5 2500 equal to 72.6 degrees. When performing most tasks in normal mode, the standard cooling system at maximum load allows the chip to warm up to a maximum of 50 degrees. But during overclocking, replacing the cooler is required. Otherwise, the critical 72.6 degrees will be achieved quickly enough. The thermal package for this silicon crystal is 95 watts. Modern analogs of this chip boast a thermal package of 77 watts (almost 20% less). But their heat dissipation is much worse. Therefore, from the perspective and reliability of the Sandy Bridge solutions, they remain one of the best.
Frequencies
The nominal frequency for the i5 2500 is 3.30 GHz. In this mode, the chip works if 4 computing cores are used for operation at once. If 3 cores are enough to solve the problem, then idle powers are automatically turned off.
As a result, the frequency of the chip rises automatically to 3.4 GHz. For 2 cores, this value will already be equal to 3.5 GHz. Well, for a single-threaded task, the
processor frequency can rise to 3.6 GHz.
Architecture
CPU i5 2500 includes 4 re computing units at the physical level. This chip does not support Hyper-Trading technology and the number of its program flows is equal to the number of computing cores, that is, four. Most modern software is optimized for such a number of threads at the hardware level. Therefore, most of the modern software will run without problems on this semiconductor chip.
Graphics Accelerator
This generation of chips was the first in the history of Intel to integrate a graphics adapter into its semiconductor chip. More specifically, then in this chip was installed "HR Diagramfix 3000". Its starting frequency was 850 MHz, and the maximum - 1100 MHz. It changed depending on the level of complexity of the problem being solved. There is no reason to expect a phenomenal level of performance from this graphic solution, but its capabilities are sufficient to solve most office tasks. But this cannot be said about the most demanding toys: the computational capabilities of this graphic accelerator are clearly not enough.
Increase in productivity
The usual Core i5 2500 can be overclocked only slightly. The main reason here is the locked silicon crystal multiplier. Therefore, for an ordinary chip, the overclocking order is as follows:
We install an improved cooler compared to the complete one.
We draw attention to the power supply, the power of which should be at least 800-900 watts.
We install specialized software on the PC: “CPU Zet”, “Speed Fan” and “AIDA 64”. With it, you can check the reliability of the computer system.
We reboot the PC and go into the BIOS. Next, we lower all PC frequencies, except for the system bus frequency. It must be gradually increased. After each manipulation, load the PC and check its reliability. If everything is in order, then continue to increase the frequency. As experience shows, it is possible to achieve 3.5-3.7 GHz. With a raised voltage on the CPU, this value can increase to 3.9 GHz.
Separately, it should also be noted that there is a special modification of this chip, which comes with the index "K". It comes with an initially unlocked multiplier and its performance can be increased by increasing it. As experience shows, in this case even 5 GHz can be obtained without any problems without much difficulty. But only the requirements for such a computer system increase significantly: the power supply unit is at least 1000 W, an improved motherboard model (Z67 and Z77 chipsets) and a high-quality cooling system.
Price
Of course, the i5 2500 processor solution could not be relatively inexpensive. Price his at the time sales began was equal to $ 206. The version with the K index was even more expensive. She was valued at 216 dollars. On the one hand, this is a fairly substantial amount. But on the other hand, we can say that this PC is even relevant today. That is, such a computer system is bought for more than one year and a similar approach is fully justified.
Feedback from PC users
There are no serious flaws in the Core i5 2500. But there are many advantages. Among them are the following:
Excellent energy efficiency of the processor solution.
High level of performance.
High overclocking potential in the CPU version with the “K” index.
Summary
The impeccable combination of price and performance of the i5 2500 allows even now to put it on a par with modern flagship solutions. The performance in the latest Intel chips has not increased so much. But the temperature stability of the i5 2500 was an order of magnitude better. And if we add the possibility of overclocking the version of the chip with the "K" index to 5 GHz, it turns out that this is almost the best chip in the history of Intel today.