Core i5-2500K vs Core i5-3470: CPU comparison

Performance score

Core i5-2500K 2011 · 4/4 cores/threads, 95 W

12.61

Core i5-3470 2012 · 4/4 cores/threads, 77 W

12.85

Core i3-12100F Core i5-12400F Ryzen 5 7500F Ryzen 7 7800X3D Ryzen 7 9800X3D Core Ultra 7 265K Core i9-14900K Ryzen 9 9950X

Core i5-2500K and Core i5-3470 are almost equally fast (under 3% apart) — choose by price, socket and platform.

Both CPUs use the same socket (LGA1155), so you can swap one for the other on the same board (check BIOS support).

The score is our own estimate from the specs (cores, threads, clocks, architecture generation), not a benchmark run. 100 = the fastest CPU in our database.

Real tests

What the test measures

Blender is a popular free 3D graphics program. The test makes the device render three ready-made 3D scenes (light, shadows, reflections) and counts how many render passes it finishes per minute. The higher the number, the faster the device handles heavy work: 3D, video editing, photo processing. On a CPU the test loads all cores at once, so it shows the chip's full power; on a graphics card it shows its compute strength.

CPU rendering (Blender)

Core i5-2500K

27

faster than 6% of tested · runs: 3

Core i5-3470

32+19 %

faster than 10% of tested · runs: 14

Median of real test runs on users' computers. It does not show FPS in games. Data updated: 31.10.2026.

Overview

	Core i5-2500K	Core i5-3470
Score (0–100)	12.61	12.85
Ranking position	498	495
Power efficiency (0–100)	6.94	8.72
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Manufacturer	Intel	Intel
Architecture	Sandy Bridge	Ivy Bridge
Release date	Q1 2011	Q2 2012

Specifications

	Core i5-2500K	Core i5-3470
Cores	4	4
Threads	4	4
Base clock	3.3 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock	3.7 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 cache	6 MB	6 MB
Process node	32 nm	22 nm
Unlocked multiplier	yes	no
Integrated graphics	Intel HD Graphics 3000	Intel HD Graphics 2500
NPU (AI accelerator)	no	no

Compatibility

	Core i5-2500K	Core i5-3470
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
TDP	95 W	77 W

Memory and PCI Express

	Core i5-2500K	Core i5-3470
Memory type	DDR3-1066/1333	DDR3-1333/1600
Memory channels	2	2
Max memory	32 GB	32 GB
PCI Express version	2.0	3.0
PCIe lanes	16	no data

Pros and cons

Core i5-2500K

unlocked multiplier (can be overclocked)

Core i5-3470

lower TDP: 77 W vs 95 W
newer: released in 2012

Other comparisons

Visitor rating

Questions and comments

Share your experience, ask a question or tell us about a mistake on this page: Core i5-2500K / Core i5-3470.

No comments yet — be the first.