Intel Core i7-2600K vs Intel Core i5-6600K

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i7-2600K or Intel Core i7-2600K – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i7-2600K features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i7 series.
To use the Intel Core i7-2600K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
The Intel Core i5-6600K features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2015 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-6600K, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1151 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i7-2600K Name Intel Core i5-6600K
Intel Core i7 Family Intel Core i5
2 Generation 6
Intel Core i 2000 Group Intel Core i 6000
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i7-2600K has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i7-2600K is 3.4 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.8 GHz.
The Intel Core i5-6600K has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-6600K is 3.5 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.9 GHz.
3.8 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 3.9 GHz
Yes Overclocking Yes
normal Core architecture normal
3.4 GHz Frequency 3.5 GHz
8 Threads 4
3.8 GHz Turbo Frequency (all cores) 3.6 GHz
Yes Hyperthreading No
4 CPU Cores 4
4x Cores 4x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i7-2600K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i7-2600K uses the Intel HD Graphics 3000, which has 96 texture shaders
and 12 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i5-6600K has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-6600K uses the Intel HD Graphics 530, which has 192 texture shaders
and 24 execution units.
0.85 GHz GPU frequency 0.35 GHz
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2015
10.1 Direct X 12
Intel HD Graphics 3000 GPU name Intel HD Graphics 530
32 nm Technology 14 nm
-- Max. displays --
96 Shaders 192
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 32.0 GB
12 Execution units 24
6 Generation 9
1.35 GHz GPU (Turbo) 1.15 GHz
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
Decode / Encode AVC Decode / Encode
Decode VC-1 Decode
No VP9 Decode
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
No VP8 Decode / Encode
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
No JPEG Decode / Encode
No AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.0 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 64.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 2
32.0 GB Max. Memory 64.0 GB
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC No
21.0 GB/s Bandwidth 34.1 GB/s
DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR4-2133, DDR3-1600
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 91 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 91 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i7-2600K is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 8.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i5-6600K is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2015
-- Part Number --
1.0 MB L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Skylake S
32 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 1155 Socket LGA 1151
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
270 $ Release price 280 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
8.0 MB L3-Cache 6.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
12496
12496
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
12150
12150

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
4147
4147
Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
3193
3193

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
3985
3985
Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
2457
2457

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
3631
3631
Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
3098
3098

V-Ray CPU-Render Benchmark

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
2847
2847
Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
2156
2156

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
1865
1865
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
1572
1572

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
1690
1690
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
1621
1621

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
1359
1359
Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
707
707

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
741.6
741.6
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
486.5
486.5

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
612
612
Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
600
600

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
395
395
Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
263
263

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-6600K
4C 4T @ 3.5 GHz
166
166
Intel Core i7-2600K
4C 8T @ 3.4 GHz
128
128