Intel Core i5-2500 - Core i5 2nd Gen Sandy Bridge Quad-Core 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Intel HD Graphics 2000 Desktop Processor - BX80623I52500

Pros: Fast, incredible value for the performance ratio moved over from C2D E8400, the difference has been almost day and night. h264 render times down drastically. sips electricity compared to earlier quad cores, and only pulls a few more watts then my old c2d on idle and load!

Cons: cant seem to find a way to max all 4 cores.

Overall Review: Ive never been a hard core overclocker so this cpu made more sense to me then the 2500k with the unlocked multiplier. other reviewers have stated this CPU does not Overclock. they are flat wrong. I have this paired up with a MSI p67a-c43 motherboard and ddr3 1600, the bios on this board is a little scary: it has preset overclock values, that with one push of a button and you're done. (mouse enabled bios too...) one click of my mouse brought this processor to 4GHz with just the multiplier. seriously felt like cheating. the average user of the 2500k wont push past 4.5GHz so the extra 500Mhz wasnt that big of a deal to me. Oh and i backed the cpu back down to stock, because it was too easy to go to 4Ghz. like i said it felt like i was cheating...

Pros: Great performance, runs cool, no installation problems. Stock heatsink works fine and is reasonably quiet.

Cons: A bit more expensive than ideal, considering the HD 2000 graphics. Paired with H67 mobo results in only single-link DVI graphics, so don't even think about using onboard graphics for a big monitor.

Overall Review: HD 3000 graphics instead of HD 2000 graphics would have gotten this cpu 5 eggs. Either that or knock another $20 off of the price. Not suitable for running big monitors due to limited resolution with H67 mobo (not sure if other mobo chipsets would let it run dual link DVI resolutions). Other than monitor resolution issue, this cpu was part of a very easy new computer buildup. Works great if the specs meet your needs.

Pros: Fast, cool and can handle multitasking with ease.

Cons: None

Overall Review: I came from an AMD X6 to this i5 and I have no regrets. I have been a long time AMD supporter and upgraded from AM3 to AM3+ and needless to say it's the only time I have regretted purchasing an AMD CPU. I always believed that Intel CPU's were overpriced and granted they are not cheap but when you compare price vs performance the core i5-2500 CPU's just can't be beat. I was completely blown away with how fast this CPU is. I thought about going with the 2500k and after using the 2500 I could not possibly see the need to OC this CPU. It can play any game with ease and multitasking is a breeze. Don't get me wrong I still like AMD and most of the X4 and X6 CPU's are very capable but pound for pound the i5-2500 is simply the best at the moment.

Pros: I actually have made 2 computers with this now (for me and my brother). It is GREAT, cant stress that enough.

Cons: NONE

Overall Review: If anyone is wondering the difference between the 2500 and 2500K (or any Intel with the 'K'), the normal (2500) cannot be overclocked as much as the 'K' (2500K). I never needed to overclock much (or at all) anyway though so I dont care)

Pros: I purchased this processor to replace an old Athlon 64+ that I built 6 years ago. The difference is, of course, astounding. This is my first desktop multi-core processor, and it makes multitasking a snap. I'm planning on playing some games using this computer, but only after I've upgraded my old video card. Booting up my old copy of Half Life 2, it runs quite well, despite the bottleneck.

Cons: I suppose I could mime most other reviews here and point out that this processor is not, in fact, a K model. I do hope that prospective buyers have done enough research to actually realize this, however.

Overall Review: It is true that the K model is only $10-$25 more (depending on sales), but if I was interested in overclocking (which I am not), I would also have to have a purchased a board which allowed it (another $30-$40), an aftermarket cooler (another $30-$80), and a higher power PSU (another $30-$100). This means that overclockers are potentially spending $150-$250 more for that privilege. Overclocking can be great, but let's not kid ourselves: it's not just another $10, nor is it for everyone.

Pros: + Fast, smooth media performance + Editing my 1080p Sony Handycam videos is a breeze with this processor + Even iTunes is pretty fast

Cons: - Fan is not the quietest (you might want a different one) - Some of the software on the intel driver disk feels like bloatware - I have had 2 or 3 blue screens when using iTunes or Quicktime videos in a browser. I am running the latest intel graphics driver on the integrated HD Graphics 2000. I bet a discrete gpu would fix this. I am using the Intel BOXDH67BL LGA 1155 motherboard so I don't think it is a mobo compatibility problem.

Overall Review: ~ I would buy the i5-2500k over this one if you are planning to use integrated graphics. The 2500k comes with HD Graphics 3000 for ~$15 more. I thought the only difference was that the 2500k was unlocked for overclocking, but the integrated graphics is one generation newer as well.

Pros: Bought this processor along with several other components and built a rad box. This this is crazy. I love it. We're already engaged. It's only been a few weeks, see? You can't argue with love. Seriously, though, this thing is a monster. I don't know why you'd pay over $100 extra for a lower-end i7, which is just BARELY faster than this.

Cons: This isn't the 2500K, which is unlocked.

Overall Review: Just spoke with the fiancee, seems like the i5 wants to get married today... ...I'm starting to think it's moving too fast. *ZING!*

Pros: I have built aprox 130 or so systems for myself, friends, family and clients. I have been dooing PC building since windows 3.0 and DOS, so, from lots of CPU's going through my hads i will say that this Intel Core i5 2500k is one of the best i have used.This CPU is wicked. I have mine running at 4 GHZ and i can give her more and it just seems to keep going. I bummped mine up to 4.3 without messing with any settings for voltage on either the CPU or Memory. I am also useing air cooling. I bought a Coolmaster Hyper 212 Plus, from Newegg paid like $25.00 for it and it is so awsome.It keeps my system around 30-40 C on heavy load. It does come with one 120 MM fan so pick up a UltraKaze from newegg it blowes 133.60 CFM.Talk about moving some air,make sure you get a RHEOBUS Extreme, 6 channel fan controller. Paid like $25.00 here on new egg, but it handles 30 W per channel so you will not melt the fan controller like you would on some cheep ones.No big bells and whistles you have 6 knobs that

Cons: continued-- brighter as you turn them up and dimmer as you lower it.Make sure you hook the UltraKaze to the fan controller,also put the 120 MM fan that comes with it on the back side so it's just going to be sucking the air that the beast you put on the front of the cooler will be blowing at it.So for less than $40.00 you can have a very very good cooling system on your CPU. I highly recomend the Intel i5 2500 K CPU.And one last sweet spot.If your MOBO has built in Video links (NOT ONBOARD VIDEO) just like a SVGA-HDMI or DVI,download VIRTU from Lucidlogix and you can run the CPU as one Video card and get a PCI Express and it only uses the powerhouse video card when it needs it.Otherwise is uses the sandy bridge Intel video off the CPU.Well what are you waiting for get on your computer go to Newegg and get this stuff ordered and get it in your system.You will be very pleased with your purchase.If your married start begging dont forget the flowers for her before you ask for the money.

Overall Review: Best purchase i have made in awhile. I ordered it on a Tuesday and Newegg like they always are(FAST AS LIGHTNING) had it to me on Thursday morning. : )