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Intel Core i5 7500 Review | 78 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£180
  • PassMark benchmark result: 6035
  • N. of physical cores: 4
  • CPU boost clock speed: 3.8 GHz

Intel Core i5 7500 review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

4.9

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.5

Technical Score

10.0%

9.4

User score

Poor
4.5

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

3.8

Performance

18.0%

4.7

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

5.1

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

6.4

Power & Thermal

4.0%

7.6

Platform

1.0%

6.6

Integrated Graphics

Poor
9.4

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

9.1

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(1463)
amazon
4.2
(103)
amazon
4.4
(16)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

Exceptional
  • 3.2
    Gaming

    Score components:

    30.0%

    3.6

    PassMark single-core benchmark score

    25.0%

    3.6

    Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    4.0

    CPU boost clock speed

    17.0%

    1.8

    L3 cache

    8.0%

    1.8

    N. of physical cores

  • 2.0
    Video editing

    Score components:

    45.0%

    2.2

    Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    1.8

    N. of physical cores

    20.0%

    1.6

    CPU threads

    15.0%

    1.8

    L3 cache

  • intel-core-i5-7500
  • intel-core-i5-7500
  • intel-core-i5-7500
intel-core-i5-7500
intel-core-i5-7500
intel-core-i5-7500

Best prices in UK

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Intel Core i5-7500 is a 7th Generation Kaby Lake desktop processor featuring 4 cores and 4 threads with a base clock speed of 3.4 GHz and a max turbo frequency of 3.8 GHz. Built on a 14nm process, it includes 6MB of Intel Smart Cache, a 65W TDP, and integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 with 4K support at 60Hz. Its main strengths include reliable quad-core performance for general computing, support for both DDR4-2400 and DDR3L-1600 memory up to 64GB, and energy efficiency for standard desktop use. However, it lacks Hyper-Threading, features an unlocked multiplier that prevents traditional overclocking, and is officially incompatible with Windows 11.

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i5 7500

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

3.8

Performance

18.0%

4.7

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

5.1

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

6.4

Power & Thermal

4.0%

7.6

Platform

1.0%

6.6

Integrated Graphics

4.5
Intel Core i5 7500 has a technical score of 4.45 points, which is lower than that of 67.1% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

9.1

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(1463)
amazon
4.2
(103)
amazon
4.4
(16)

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

9.4
Intel Core i5 7500 has a user score of 9.4 points, which is higher than that of 91.9% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
10
Intel Core i5 7500 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 88.3% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.9

Overall score

40.0%

9.6

Price

6.3
Intel Core i5 7500 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.3 points, which is lower than 51% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Processor type
What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.
When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

desktop
Intel Core i5 7500 belongs to the desktop processor class, which is more advanced than that of 56% of processors and equal to that of 37.9% of processors.
CPU socket
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

LGA1151
Intel Core i5 7500 uses the LGA1151 CPU socket, which is newer than that of 60.1% of processors and equal to that of 9.7% of processors.
Chipset
What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.
When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

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CPU architecture
What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

x86-64
Intel Core i5 7500 uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.7% of processors and equal to that of 98.3% of processors.
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N. of physical cores
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

4
Intel Core i5 7500 has 4 CPU cores, which is fewer than 50.7% of processors and equal to 28.5% of processors.
CPU threads
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

4
Intel Core i5 7500 offers 4 CPU threads, which is fewer than 67.3% of processors and equal to 26.6% of processors.
Threads per core
What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.
When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

1
Intel Core i5 7500 offers 1 threads per core, which is fewer than 69.7% of processors and equal to 30.3% of processors.
CPU boost clock speed
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

3.8 GHz
Intel Core i5 7500 reaches a boost clock of 3.8 GHz which is lower than that of 68.5% of processors and equal to that of 4.1% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

4 x 3.4 GHz
Intel Core i5 7500 has a base clock of 4x3.4 GHz which is equal to that of 100% of processors.
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Semiconductor size
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

14 nm
Intel Core i5 7500 uses a 14 nm process node, which is older than that of 50.8% of processors and equal to that of 33.7% of processors.
Foundry
What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel 14 nm
Intel Core i5 7500 is built on the Intel 14 nm foundry process, which is less advanced than that of 55.2% of processors and equal to that of 29.3% of processors.
L3 cache
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

6 MB
Intel Core i5 7500 has an L3 cache of 6 MB which is smaller than that of 60.4% of processors and equal to that of 9.7% of processors.
L2 cache
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

1 MB
Intel Core i5 7500 has an L2 cache of 1 MB which is smaller than that of 67.1% of processors and equal to that of 17.6% of processors.
L1 cache
What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

256 KB
Intel Core i5 7500 has an L1 cache of 256 KB which is smaller than that of 59.4% of processors and equal to that of 18.5% of processors.
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DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

DDR3L/DDR4
Intel Core i5 7500 supports DDR DDR3L/DDR4, which is older than that of 77.7% of processors and equal to that of 5.4% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

2,400 MHz
Intel Core i5 7500 supports memory speeds up to 2,400 MHz, which is lower than that of 63.2% of processors and equal to 12.4% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.
When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

DDR4-2400 MHz
Intel Core i5 7500 supports JEDEC memory speeds up to DDR4-2,400 MHz, which is lower than that of 63.4% of processors and equal to 10.6% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.
When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

2,400 MHz
Intel Core i5 7500 supports XMP/EXPO memory speeds up to 2,400 MHz, which is higher than that of 87.9% of processors and equal to 0.5% of processors.
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

64 GB
Intel Core i5 7500 supports up to 64 GB of memory, which is more than 28.4% of processors and equal to 27.6% of processors.
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Integrated graphics
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Intel Core i5 7500 includes integrated graphics. 87.6% of processors include integrated graphics.
Integrated GPU model
What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.
When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel HD Graphics 630
Intel Core i5 7500 uses the Intel HD Graphics 630 integrated GPU, which is less advanced than that in 73.9% of processors and equal to that in 2.9% of processors.
Integrated GPU execution units
What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.
When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

24
Intel Core i5 7500 has 24 GPU execution units, which is more than 49.2% of processors and equal to 21.6% of processors.
Integrated GPU base frequency
What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.
When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

350 MHz
Intel Core i5 7500 has an integrated GPU clock of 350 MHz which is higher than that of 43.5% of processors and equal to that of 29.6% of processors.
Integrated media encoders/decoders
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode)
Intel Core i5 7500 supports H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode) media codecs, which is broader support than 56.2% of processors and equal to 9.5% of processors.
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TDP (Thermal design power)
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

65 W
Intel Core i5 7500 has a TDP of 65 W which is higher than that of 70% of processors and equal to that of 16.1% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

65 W
Intel Core i5 7500 has a base power of 65 W which is higher than that of 70.3% of processors and equal to that of 16.4% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

?
Tau (power duration limit)
What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.
When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

8 seconds
Intel Core i5 7500 has a turbo duration of 8 seconds which is longer than that of 89.1% of processors and equal to that of 7.1% of processors.
Configurable TDP
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

no
Intel Core i5 7500 does not support configurable TDP. 52.9% of processors support configurable TDP.
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Intel Core i5 7500 vs the average processor

  • Includes stock cooler
    Intel Core i5 7500 includes a stock cooler, the average processor does not.
    What it is: A stock CPU cooler is included in the box with the processor.
    When it matters: When total build cost matters and you need to know whether separate cooling must be bought right away.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core i5 7500 includes a stock cooler, the average processor does not.
  • Supports memory overclocking
    Intel Core i5 7500 supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
    What it is: Allows memory speeds beyond official stock settings through manual tuning or profile-based overclocking.
    When it matters: When you want to push RAM performance higher than stock support allows, especially in enthusiast or gaming builds.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core i5 7500 supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
  • 10x more popular
    Intel Core i5 7500 is more popular than the average processor (10.00 vs 1,000).
    What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
    When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
    Intel Core i5 7500 is more popular than the average processor (10.00 vs 1,000).10 vs 1
  • 17.5% higher user score
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a higher user score than the average processor (9.40 vs 8,000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.
    When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a higher user score than the average processor (9.40 vs 8,000).9.4 vs 8
  • Modern CPU socket
    Intel Core i5 7500 uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (LGA1151 vs FP2).
    What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
    When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

    Importance: HIGH

    Intel Core i5 7500 uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (LGA1151 vs FP2).LGA1151 vs FP2
  • Modern CPU socket
    Intel Core i5 7500 uses a more modern CPU socket than the average processor (LGA1151 vs FP2).
  • Supports memory overclocking
    Intel Core i5 7500 supports memory overclocking, the average processor does not.
  • Includes stock cooler
    Intel Core i5 7500 includes a stock cooler, the average processor does not.

Total
Overall
Platform
Memory & PCIe
Power & Thermal
  • Narrower instruction support
    Intel Core i5 7500 supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
  • 3 year/s older release date
    Intel Core i5 7500 has an older release date than the average processor (2017 vs 2020).
    January 2,017
  • No crypto acceleration
    Intel Core i5 7500 does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
  • 11.6% lower boost clock
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.8 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
  • 2 fewer CPU cores
    Intel Core i5 7500 has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
  • No multithreading support
    Intel Core i5 7500 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    Intel Core i5 7500 has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
  • 42.7% lower PassMark score
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (6,035 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
  • 9.5% weaker single-core performance
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (2,246 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
  • 12.8% lower single-core score
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,283 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
  • 26.3% lower multi-core score
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (3,534 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
  • 1 fewer threads per core
    Intel Core i5 7500 has fewer threads per core than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor offers 2 threads per core.
  • 16.7% larger process node
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
  • 60% smaller L2 cache
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
  • 50% less L2 per core
    Intel Core i5 7500 has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
  • 12.5% less L3 per core
    Intel Core i5 7500 has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (1.5 MB/core vs 1,714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1,714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
  • 33.3% smaller L1 cache
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (256 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
  • 25% smaller L3 cache
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower L3 cache than the average processor (6 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
  • Older DDR support
    Intel Core i5 7500 supports an older DDR generation than the average processor (DDR3L/DDR4 vs DDR4).
  • 18.2% lower memory speed
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (2,400 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
  • 16.2% lower memory bandwidth
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (38.4 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
  • Narrower media codec support
    Intel Core i5 7500 supports fewer media codecs than the average processor (H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode) vs H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), AV1 (HW decode)).
  • Inferior integrated GPU
    Intel Core i5 7500 uses an inferior integrated GPU to the average processor (Intel HD Graphics 630 vs Intel UHD Graphics 630).
  • 44.4% higher base power
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
  • No configurable TDP
    Intel Core i5 7500 does not support configurable TDP, the average processor does.
  • 44.4% higher TDP
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a higher TDP than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a TDP of 45 W.
  • 20 seconds shorter turbo duration
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower turbo duration limit than the average processor (8 seconds vs 28 seconds). The average processor maintains turbo for 28 seconds.
  • Narrower instruction support
    Intel Core i5 7500 supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).
    What it is: The supported CPU instruction sets and extensions.
    When it matters: When you run software that depends on specific CPU instructions.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Intel Core i5 7500 supports a narrower instruction set than the average processor (SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA).SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2 vs MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, F16C, FMA3, AES, SHA
  • 11.6% lower boost clock
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.8 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
    What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
    When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4.7 GHz

    Intel Core i5 7500 has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.8 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.3.8 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
  • 2 fewer CPU cores
    Intel Core i5 7500 has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
    When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 8+

    Intel Core i5 7500 has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.4 vs 6
  • No multithreading support
    Intel Core i5 7500 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
    What it is: Lets each physical core run more than one thread at the same time, such as with Hyper-Threading or SMT.
    When it matters: When multitasking, rendering, compiling, virtualization, or other thread-heavy work benefits from more total processing threads.

    Importance: HIGH

    Intel Core i5 7500 does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
  • 16.7% larger process node
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
    What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
    When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: <10 nm

    Intel Core i5 7500 has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.14 nm vs 12 nm
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    Intel Core i5 7500 has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
    What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
    When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 16+

    Intel Core i5 7500 has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.4 vs 8
  • 44.4% higher base power
    Intel Core i5 7500 has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.
    What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
    When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <30 W

    Intel Core i5 7500 has a higher base power draw than the average processor (65 W vs 45 W). The average processor has a base power draw of 45 W.65 W vs 45 W
  • 50% less L2 per core
    Intel Core i5 7500 has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
    What it is: The amount of L2 cache available to each CPU core.
    When it matters: When you are comparing per-core cache resources in deeper architectural analysis.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=1 MB/core

    Intel Core i5 7500 has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.0.25 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core
Total
Platform
Performance
Cache & Architecture
Memory & PCIe
Integrated Graphics
Power & Thermal

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i5 7500 and other processors

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
1463 Reviews
amazon
4.2
103 Reviews
amazon
4.4
16 Reviews

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about Intel Core i5 7500?

  • Reliable gaming performance for 1080p when paired with appropriate mid-range GPUs like the GTX 1060 or RX 580.
  • Highly energy efficient with a 65W TDP, resulting in minimal heat output and low power consumption.
  • Easy to install and typically runs cool even with the included stock cooling fan.
  • Strong value for money as a budget-friendly option for productivity tasks like AutoCAD and multimedia work.
  • Excellent memory bandwidth for a dual-channel processor, offering fast read and write speeds.
  • Significant performance leap for users upgrading from older 4th or 6th generation Intel chips or Pentium models.

What customers dislike about Intel Core i5 7500?

  • No official support for Windows 11, requiring workarounds to install the latest operating system.
  • Lacks Hyper-Threading (4 cores, 4 threads), which causes high CPU usage and stuttering in modern, CPU-intensive AAA games.
  • Locked multiplier prevents traditional overclocking, limiting the ability to squeeze out extra performance.
  • Prone to significant bottlenecking when paired with modern high-end graphics cards like the RTX 3000 series.
  • Considered 'end of life' by many users in 2024-2026, struggling with heavy multitasking compared to newer 6-core alternatives.
  • Motherboard compatibility is limited to the LGA 1151 socket (specifically 200-series chipsets for full support), making future upgrades difficult without a motherboard swap.

Expert reviews

C
cpubenchmark.net
29/03/2026
Intel Core i5-7500 @ 3.40GHz - CPU Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-7500 is a 7th Gen "Kaby Lake" desktop processor featuring 4 cores and 4 threads, with a 3.4 GHz base clock and 65W TDP, offering a 10–15% performance improvement over the i5-6500. Key advantages include its efficient, low-power operation suitable for standard cooling and the inclusion of Intel HD Graphics 630 for 4K media consumption. While providing decent...Read more

C
cpu.userbenchmark.com
01/01/2017
Intel Core i5-7500 BX80677I57500 - CPU UserBenchmarks

The Intel Core i5-7500 is a 14nm Kaby Lake quad-core processor (3.4 GHz base, 3.8 GHz turbo) released in 2017, offering solid mid-range performance for workstations and general computing. Pros include strong single-core performance, efficient 65W operation with low thermals, and integrated HD Graphics 630 capable of 4K decoding. Conversely, the lack of Hyper-Threading and 4-core...Read more

E
eteknix.com
24/01/2018
Intel Core i5-7500 Kaby Lake Processor Review

The eTeknix review describes the Intel Core i5-7500 as a capable, "solid choice" for mainstream users, though it notes the chip represents a period of "stagnation" for Intel with minimal performance gains over the previous Skylake generation. Operating with a 3.4GHz base clock and 3.8GHz turbo, the Kaby Lake quad-core processor offers native support for 4K HEVC 10-bit decoding and...Read more

G
gamestar.de
05/05/2017
AMD Ryzen 5 1500X Review - Ryzen Quad-Core vs. Intel Core i5-7500

The GameStar review evaluates the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X (4 cores/8 threads, 3.5 GHz base) against the Intel Core i5-7500 (4 cores/4 threads, 3.4 GHz base), finding the Ryzen chip to be a superior all-rounder due to its SMT capability. The 1500X offers excellent multi-threaded performance, often outpacing the i5-7500 in productivity and modern games, while also providing the benefit of...Read more

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C
chip.de
02/02/2017
Intel Core i5-7500 Review - CHIP

The Intel Core i5-7500, a Kaby Lake architecture quad-core processor, is described by CHIP.de as a reliable mid-range performer operating at 3.4 GHz base and 3.8 GHz boost, featuring excellent energy efficiency with a 65W TDP that allows for easy cooling. A primary advantage is the integrated HD Graphics 630, which supports modern 4K HEVC and VP9 codec decoding, making it suitable...Read more

(Translated)Show original
G
gamestar.de
03/05/2017
Intel Core i5-7500 Review - Intel's Quad-Core for 200 Euros

The GameStar review highlights the Intel Core i5-7500 as a 2017 mid-range, 14nm+ Kaby Lake processor priced around €200, offering 3.4 GHz base and 3.8 GHz boost speeds, making it a viable, efficient option for gaming and general tasks. Key pros include strong performance-per-watt and low temperatures, alongside native support for technologies like Intel Optane memory. However, the...Read more

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P
pcgameshardware.de
06/02/2017
Core i5-7400 and i5-7500 review: What do Intel's 200-series chipsets offer?

According to a PC Games Hardware review of Intel's Kaby Lake (i5-7400, i5-7500) and Skylake (i5-6500) processors, the 7th-gen chips provide only marginal performance gains, with the i5-7500 offering an 8-10% boost over the i5-6500 while the i5-7400 performs almost identically to its predecessor. Key advantages include updated features like improved 4K video decoding (HEVC/VP9) and...Read more

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L
lesnumeriques.com
20/01/2017
Intel Core i5-7500 Review: Convincing Mid-Range Performance

The Intel Core i5-7500, reviewed by Les Numériques, is a mid-range Kaby Lake processor featuring four cores/threads at 3.4-3.8 GHz, offering solid performance for productivity and gaming. Key pros include strong efficiency with a 65W TDP, excellent price-to-performance ratio, and integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 with modern codec support. However, cons involve a locked multiplier...Read more

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H
hardware.info
30/10/2017
Intel Core i3 8100 review: will the last dual-core turn out the lights?

The Hardware Info review of the Intel Core i3-8100 highlights a significant upgrade in the entry-level segment by introducing four physical cores to the i3 lineup, effectively replacing older dual-core i3s and rivaling previous i5 models. It is praised for its strong gaming performance, often exceeding that of AMD's Ryzen 3 alternatives in average frame rates. However, key drawbacks...Read more

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N
nl.hardware.info
11/04/2017
AMD Ryzen 5 1600X and 1500X Review: Affordable 4 and 6-Core Models

The Hardware.info review highlights the AMD Ryzen 5 1600X (6C/12T, 3.6-4.0 GHz) and 1500X (4C/8T, 3.5-3.7 GHz) as aggressive mid-range contenders aimed at disrupting Intel’s Core i5 dominance. Both processors leverage a 14nm Zen architecture with a large 16MB L3 cache, effectively utilizing disabled cores from 8-core dies to maximize cache performance. In productivity benchmarks,...Read more

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H
hardware.info
03/01/2017
Intel Core i7 7700K / i5 7600K 'Kaby Lake' processors review: models

Hardware.info characterizes the Intel Core i7-7700K and i5-7600K as refined Skylake processors offering higher out-of-the-box clock speeds (up to 4.5 GHz for the i7) and strong 5.0 GHz+ overclocking potential. The Kaby Lake series introduces the 200-series chipset, providing native support for Intel Optane Memory and improved 4K video hardware acceleration. Performance increases are...Read more

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T
tweakers.net
03/01/2017
Kaby Lake for Desktop Review

The Intel Core i7-7700K represents a refined "14nm+" refresh of the Skylake architecture rather than a major architectural leap. Operating at 4.2GHz base and 4.5GHz boost, it offers a 5–10% performance boost over the i7-6700K due to higher clock speeds rather than improved instructions per clock (IPC). Key improvements include better overclocking potential to 5GHz and native...Read more

(Translated)Show original

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