Core i7-2600K

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Core i7-2600K

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Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Core i7-2600K based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,951 Rank: 910
Rank Name Score Visual
906 Core i7-3920XM 4,955
+0.1%
907 Core i5-6267U 4,954
+0.1%
908 FX-8120 4,953
+0%
909 Xeon D-1587 4,952
+0%
910 Core i7-2600K 4,951
911 Core i7-4558U 4,951
+0%
912 Core i7-4750HQ 4,948
-0.1%
913 Core i7-4700MQ 4,947
-0.1%
914 Celeron G4920 4,943
-0.2%
915 FX-770K 4,942
-0.2%

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Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Core i7-2600K based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,812 Rank: 830
Rank Name Score Visual
826 Xeon E5-2609 v4 4,813
+0%
827 Xeon E3-1275 V2 4,813
+0%
828 Pentium G4400T 4,812
+0%
829 Pentium G4400 4,812
+0%
830 Core i7-2600K 4,812
831 Core i7-870 4,811
+-0%
832 Core i5-6500 4,808
-0.1%
833 Xeon E3-1220 v3 4,808
-0.1%
834 Xeon E3-1280 v3 4,807
-0.1%
835 Ryzen 5 3400G 4,806
-0.1%

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Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Core i7-2600K based on single-threaded benchmark results.

5,043 Rank: 916
Rank Name Score Visual
912 Core i3-4160 5,045
+0%
913 Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 5,044
+0%
914 Core i5-3475S 5,044
+0%
915 EPYC 7601 5,043
+0%
916 Core i7-2600K 5,043
917 Core i7-4870HQ 5,041
+-0%
918 Xeon D-2141I 5,039
-0.1%
919 EPYC 7702 5,036
-0.1%
920 Ryzen 5 3550H 5,035
-0.2%
921 EPYC 7401P 5,035
-0.2%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Core i7-2600K based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

4,634 Rank: 877
Rank Name Score Visual
873 Core i5-3570S 4,636
+0%
874 Xeon E5645 4,635
+0%
875 Xeon Bronze 3104 4,634
+0%
876 Core i5-7400 4,634
+0%
877 Core i7-2600K 4,634
878 Core i3-1115G4 4,634
+0%
879 Core i5-4440 4,632
+-0%
880 Core i7-4712HQ 4,632
+-0%
881 Core i5-6402P 4,631
-0.1%
882 Core i5-3470 4,631
-0.1%

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Core i7-2600K based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

4,661 Rank: 766
Rank Name Score Visual
762 Core i7-6770HQ 4,662
+0%
763 Ryzen 3 PRO 3200G 4,661
+0%
764 Xeon D-1622 4,661
+0%
765 Core i7-6820HQ 4,661
+0%
766 Core i7-2600K 4,661
767 Core i7-4790T 4,660
+-0%
768 Core i5-7640X 4,659
+-0%
769 Core i7-3840QM 4,659
+-0%
770 Xeon E-2314 4,659
+-0%
771 Core i5-1035G1 4,658
-0.1%

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Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Core i7-2600K based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

4,633 Rank: 879
Rank Name Score Visual
875 Xeon E3-1280 4,636
+0.1%
876 Core i3-1115G4E 4,636
+0.1%
877 Ryzen 5 3550H 4,635
+0%
878 Core i7-3615QM 4,634
+0%
879 Core i7-2600K 4,633
880 Core i3-7320 4,632
+-0%
881 Core i7-970 4,632
+-0%
882 Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G 4,631
+-0%
883 Core i5-3570K 4,631
+-0%
884 Xeon E3-1220 V2 4,631
+-0%

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Core i7-2600K Details

As of March 2026, the Intel Core i7-2600K remains a notable performer from a bygone era of desktop computing, showcasing the capabilities of Intel's Sandy Bridge architecture. Although released in 2011, the processor still holds relevance for budget-conscious users and retro builds due to its strong single-threaded performance and overclocking potential. Built on a 32 nm process and using the LGA1155 socket, the i7-2600K features four cores with Hyper-Threading, delivering eight threads for improved multitasking and parallel workloads. Base clock speeds sit at 3.4 GHz, with a turbo boost up to 3.8 GHz, allowing for efficient handling of both legacy and moderately demanding applications.

The Core i7-2600K supports DDR3 memory at 1066/1333 MHz, with a maximum capacity of 32 GB across two channels, and a memory bandwidth of 21 GB/s. It includes a 64-bit architecture and a 5 GT/s bus speed, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of motherboards from its generation. The processor also supports advanced features such as AVX2, AES-NI, and VT-x, making it suitable for encryption, virtualization, and multimedia tasks. Integrated into the CPU is the Intel HD Graphics 3000, which operates at a base frequency of 850 MHz and can burst up to 1350 MHz, capable of driving two displays simultaneously.

In benchmark testing, the i7-2600K achieves an overall score of 4951, ranking #910 of 2060 processors. Its single-core performance scores 5043, placing it at #915, which is impressive given its age and indicates that it still holds up well in applications that rely heavily on per-core speed. The multicore score of 4812 ranks it at #828, showing that while it can handle multi-threaded workloads, it is outpaced by modern CPUs with more cores and higher clock speeds. Notably, the processor trails only slightly behind high-end CPUs like the Xeon E5-2609 v4 and Xeon E3-1275 v2 in multicore performance, but still falls behind more recent offerings such as the Core i5-6500 and Xeon E3-1280 v3.

When compared to current top-tier processors, the i7-2600K is significantly outpaced by modern offerings like the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX and Core Ultra 9 285K, which dominate the leaderboard with scores exceeding 8,000 and 8,500 respectively. However, within its own generation, the i7-2600K stands as a high-end performer, especially when overclocked. It remains a viable choice for users engaged in light gaming, productivity, and retro computing, where its performance is still respectable. Its TDP of 95 W and lack of ECC memory support make it less suitable for enterprise environments but ideal for enthusiast builds focused on cost-effective performance.

In conclusion, the Core i7-2600K represents a milestone in Intel's processor evolution, blending strong single-core performance with robust feature support. While no longer competitive with today's high-end CPUs, it continues to serve as a capable and affordable option for specific use cases, particularly in systems where upgrading to modern hardware is not feasible. Its enduring relevance underscores the lasting impact of the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture on consumer computing.
Frequently Compared

AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 3900 3 views

AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 3 views

Intel Intel Celeron N3060 3 views

AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE 2 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4214 2 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4116 2 views

Intel Xeon Silver 4112 2 views

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4208 1 view

Intel Xeon Silver 4116T 1 view

Intel Core i7-2600K

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Core i7-2600K
Model Number: i7-2600K
Cores: 4
Threads: 8
Base Frequency: 3400 MHz
Socket: LGA1155
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 95 W

Cache Specifications

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3 1066/1333
Memory Channels: 2
Maximum Memory: 0 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 21 GB/s
ECC Support: No

PCI-Express Specifications

PCIe Revision: 2.0
PCIe Lanes: 16
PCIe Configuration: 1x16, 2x8, 1x8 2x4

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD Graphics 3000
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 1350 MHz

Physical Specifications

Process: 32 nm
Word Size: 64-bit

CPU Features

SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AVX2 AES x86-64 HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Secure Key SMEP SIPP IPT TSX Flex Memory FMA
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