Intel Core i5-7500 LGA 1151 7th Gen Core Desktop Processor review

Intel Core i5-7500 LGA 1151 7th Gen Core Desktop Processor review

Intel Core i5-7500 LGA 1151 7th Gen Core Desktop Processor review

Pros
Cheapest among all Core i5 processors that can match up to the big CPUs.
Clock speed helps it manage demanding tasks better than lower costing CPUs.
Well balanced single core and multi-thread performance.
Costs a lot cheaper than a performance grade Core i5 or even i7.
Perfect for beginners and simple builders.
Offers a little overclocking.

Cons
Compared to the 6th generation processors, the performance jump is nominal at best.
Could have helped if Intel gave a little more Turbo Boost.

Performance Analysis

Let’s get straight into the benchmark scores. We have decided to match and compare the Core i5 7500 with its more expensive and endowed sibling, the Core i5 7600K. With a slight pricing range difference between the two, it makes the latter a perfect testing partner.

Because this is not a processor designed for heavy duty tasks, we decided to start it with applications and uses that a normal user might see in his or her lifetime. Games being a major part of the discussion, we began our tests with Ashes of Singularity – a game that truly does push CPUs to their breaking point.

The 7600K brought in just under 30fps and so we were expecting even lower scores from the i5 7500. However, at 26.5 fps on Crazy preset at 1080p, the 7500 CPU did surprise us by its ability to stay close within the reach of the 7600K. Naturally, because the 7600K can be overclocked, it has more potential than the 7500 but in stock setting, the difference is fractional.

Next up we put the two through Cinebench R15 and here the i5 7500 came much below the 7600K scoring just 605 on multi-thread and 155 on single core performance. While the single core performance was only 17% slower than the 7600K, the multithread performance was slower by at least 100.

Moving on to more intensive CPU tests, we tried it out with Handbrake to convert a large 4K MP4 video file. The i5 7500 managed to complete the task at 42.6 fps, which was only marginally less than the 7600K. Likewise in Pi calculations of WPrime, the 7500 took longer than the 7600K but here it took at least 50 seconds longer when working with 1024M.

With most of our benchmarking software out of the way, it was time to do some real world tests and WinRAR compression was up first. Here, the performance difference between the two processors was marginal at best so nothing really to choose between the two.

Then came gaming tests and we began with Rise of the Tomb Raider at Very High Preset FXAA 1080p with the same graphics card and while the 7600K registered around 117.6 FPS, the 7500 did an impressive 115.7 fps. The difference in FPS on almost all games between the two processors never really went beyond 5fps, which suggests that in gaming circles, the Core i5 7500 manages to maintain its stand against more expensive Core i5 processors.

While this processor isn’t unlocked, with the Z170 or Z270 motherboard you could ideally amp up the clock speed a little using multipliers. The only difference is that these CPUs are not protected under warranty when you overclock them so do this at your peril.

Another really good thing about this latest generation processor is the presence of the HD630 graphics card that is adept enough at playing relatively less demanding game titles at low to medium graphics settings. Then there are the obvious advantages of 7th generation Intel processors such as better support for hardware and faster memory modules.

On the whole, though, these tests figures show that the i5 7500 is an excellent acquisition for those who wish to save some bucks on a processor and motherboard because they want to invest into more memory DIMMs or a better graphics card. With the extra we would suggest investing into an M.2 SSD rather than a conventional SSD – the speed gains are just phenomenal.

Essentials
Product Collection7th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 Processors

Code NameProducts formerly Kaby Lake

Vertical SegmentDesktop

Processor Numberi5-7500

StatusLaunched

Launch DateQ1'17

Lithography14 nm

Use ConditionsEmbedded Broad Market Commercial Temp, PC/Client/Tablet

Performance
# of Cores4

# of Threads4

Processor Base Frequency3.40 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency3.80 GHz

Cache6 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Bus Speed8 GT/s

# of QPI Links0

TDP65 W

Supplemental Information
Embedded Options AvailableYes

Datasheet

Memory Specifications
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)64 GB

Memory TypesDDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600 @ 1.35V

Max # of Memory Channels2

ECC Memory Supported ‡No

Processor Graphics
Processor Graphics ‡Intel® HD Graphics 630

Graphics Base Frequency350 MHz

Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency1.10 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory64 GB

4K SupportYes, at 60Hz

Max Resolution (HDMI 1.4)‡4096x2304@24Hz

Max Resolution (DP)‡4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)‡4096x2304@60Hz

DirectX* Support12

OpenGL* Support4.5

Intel® Quick Sync VideoYes

Intel® InTru™ 3D TechnologyYes

Intel® Clear Video HD TechnologyYes

Intel® Clear Video TechnologyYes

# of Displays Supported ‡3

Device ID0x5912

Intel Core i5-7500 LGA 1151 7th Gen Core Desktop Processor review

Expansion Options
Scalability1S Only

PCI Express Revision3.0

PCI Express Configurations ‡Up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4

Max # of PCI Express Lanes16

Package Specifications
Sockets SupportedFCLGA1151

Max CPU Configuration1

Thermal Solution SpecificationPCG 2015C (65W)

TJUNCTION100°C

Package Size37.5mm x 37.5mm

Advanced Technologies
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported ‡Yes

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology ‡2.0

Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility ‡Yes

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology ‡No

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) ‡Yes

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) ‡Yes

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT) ‡Yes

Intel® Transactional Synchronization ExtensionsYes

Intel® 64 ‡Yes

Instruction Set64-bit

Instruction Set ExtensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2

Idle StatesYes

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechnologyYes

Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes

Intel® Identity Protection Technology ‡Yes

Intel® Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP)Yes

Security & Reliability
Intel® AES New InstructionsYes

Secure KeyYes

Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX)Yes with Intel® ME

Intel® Memory Protection Extensions (Intel® MPX)Yes

Intel® OS GuardYes

Intel® Trusted Execution Technology ‡Yes

Execute Disable Bit ‡Yes

Intel® Boot GuardYes

Learn more about Core i5-7500

ModelBrandIntelProcessors TypeDesktopSeriesCore i5 7th GenNameCore i5-7500ModelBX80677I57500
DetailsCPU Socket TypeLGA 1151Core NameKaby Lake# of CoresQuad-Core# of Threads4Operating Frequency3.4 GHzMax Turbo Frequency3.8 GHzL2 Cache4 x 256KBL3 Cache6MBManufacturing Tech14nm64-Bit SupportYesMemory TypesDDR4-2133 / 2400, DDR3L-1333 / 1600 @ 1.35VMemory Channel2Virtualization Technology SupportYesIntegrated GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 630Graphics Base Frequency350 MHzGraphics Max Dynamic Frequency1.1 GHzPCI Express Revision3.0Max Number of PCI Express Lanes16Thermal Design Power65WCooling DeviceHeatsink and fan included
GroupCooling DevicesAir Cooler.