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Intel BX80623I72600K

Core i7-2600K

▲ 767,514 ▼

4 Cores, 8 Threads @3.4GHz, Sandy Bridge.
Release date: Q1 2011.

Average Bench: 70.6% (410th of 1468)

Based on 147,533 user benchmarks.  Devices: BFEBFBFF000206A7, , 0FEBFBFF000206A7, 0000000000000000, BFEBFBFF000206A6 Model: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz

The i7-2600K Sandy Bridge processor is two generations old and nearly three years out of date. The numerous owners of this superb processor should feel in no hurry to upgrade as it's still one of the fastest consumer processors, even by today's standards. The benchmark figures indicate that in terms of real-world performance this processor is only 5% slower than the third generation Ivy Bridge i7-3770K, not bad considering its age. That said new buyers will find both better energy efficiency and marginal performance improvements elsewhere. [Feb '12 CPUPro]

Poor: 56%Average: 70.6% Great: 83%
Gaming
Gaming 71%
Battleship
Desktop
Desktop 75%
Battleship
Workstation
Workstation 55%
Gunboat

Popular builds with this CPU

Good average bench

The Intel Core i7-2600K averaged 29.4% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 87Pts
Avg. Single Core Speed 91.8Pts

Good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i7-2600K is 26.7%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i7-2600K performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 437Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 424Pts

Average Bench

(Based on 147,533 samples)
Rank 41070.6%
Min Avg Max
72.7 Memory 87 96
60.6 1-Core 91.8 116
110 2-Core 173 226
69.4% 117 Pts
Min Avg Max
196 4-Core 295 384
278 8-Core 424 549
45% 359 Pts
Min Avg Max
296 64-Core 437 558
27.1% 437 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
CPUSocket, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 3.4 GHz, turbo 3.65 GHz (avg)
76.2% Very good
Memory 96
1-Core 95.5
2-Core 183
74% 125 Pts
4-Core 306
8-Core 462
48% 384 Pts
64-Core 454
28% 454 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 3.4 GHz, turbo 3.8 GHz (avg)
72.7% Very good
Memory 86.2
1-Core 95.9
2-Core 188
72% 123 Pts
4-Core 320
8-Core 472
49% 396 Pts
64-Core 484
30% 484 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 3.4 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
72.5% Very good
Memory 88.2
1-Core 92.8
2-Core 159
68% 113 Pts
4-Core 308
8-Core 452
48% 380 Pts
64-Core 453
28% 453 Pts
Socket 1155, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 3.7 GHz, turbo 3.8 GHz (avg)
70.9% Very good
Memory 89.4
1-Core 88.5
2-Core 166
69% 115 Pts
4-Core 285
8-Core 436
45% 360 Pts
64-Core 432
27% 432 Pts
LGA1155, 1 CPU, 4 cores, 8 threads
Base clock 3.4 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
67.3% Good
Memory 84.3
1-Core 91.1
2-Core 162
67% 112 Pts
4-Core 273
8-Core 432
43% 353 Pts
64-Core 439
27% 439 Pts
147,533 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 69,047,809 CPUs tested

Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

CHOOSE A COMPONENT:

CPU GPU SSD HDD RAM MBD
Typical Core i7-2600K Builds (Compare 1,509 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 38%
Jet ski
Desktop
Desktop 78%
Battleship
Workstation
Workstation 31%
Sail boat

Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V PRO - $390

CPU
Core i7-2600KIntel  $319Bench 71%, 147,533 samples735x
GPU
GTX 970Nvidia  $200Bench 49%, 834,238 samples116x
GTX 1060-6GBNvidia  $117Bench 56%, 1,368,019 samples104x
GTX 1070Nvidia  $278Bench 80%, 1,459,281 samples81x
SSD
860 Evo 500GBSamsung  $80Bench 105%, 762,998 samples65x
850 Evo 500GBSamsung  $85Bench 112%, 695,664 samples56x
850 Evo 250GBSamsung  $100Bench 103%, 951,591 samples56x
RAM
Vengeance DDR3 1600 C9 4x4GBCorsairBench 53%, 34,385 samples78x
Vengeance DDR3 1600 C9 2x4GBCorsairBench 48%, 73,650 samples72x
Vengeance DDR3 1600 C9 4x4GBCorsairBench 53%, 20,667 samples69x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 59% - Above average Total price: $989

Popular Core i7-2600K compatible motherboards:

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Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) November 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]

Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i7-2600K Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.80 GHz)
Code NameSandy Bridge
Launch DateQ1'11
Processor Numberi7-2600K
# of Cores4
# of Threads8
Cache8 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set64-bit
Instruction Set ExtensionsSSE4.1/4.2, AVX
Embedded Options AvailableNo
Lithography32 nm
Recommended PriceN/A
Clock Speed3.4 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency3.8 GHz
Bus Speed5 GT/s DMI
Max TDP95 W
Expected DiscontinuanceQ1'2013

Graphics

Processor GraphicsIntel® HD Graphics 3000
Graphics Base Frequency850 MHz
Wireless DisplayNo
# of Displays Supported2
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency1.35 GHz
Quick Sync VideoYes
InTru 3D TechYes
Clear Video HD TechYes
Intel InsiderYes
Flexible Display InterfaceYes

Memory

Max Memory Size32 GB
Memory TypesDDR3 1066/1333
Memory Channels2
Memory Bandwidth21 GB/s
ECC Memory SupportedNo

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision2.0
Max # of PCI Express Lanes16

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsYes

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes
Turbo Boost Tech2.0
Hyper-Threading TechYes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)No
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
vPro TechNo
Identity Protection TechYes
Fast Memory AccessYes
Flex Memory AccessYes

Package

Package Size37.5mm x 37.5mm
Max CPU Configuration1
Sockets SupportedLGA1155

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
Trusted Execution TechNo

 Comments

CPUPro
Avatar level
2,119

Official site ark.intel.com/...

LGA1155 Socket

Passmark CPU benchmark: 9,095...

Added 12 years ago.
USA-User
Avatar level
10,046

Disliked (edit your comment) Add link

9 months ago.

Comment 

I Love my 2600K it still ranks close to the new CPUs in speed and performance. I use it in my main everyday PC and do some gaming on it. When I really want to game for awhile I go to my man cave and use my 3930K set up with triple monitors. The 3930K is another GREAT CPU that I intend on using for at least a couple more years after that I will switch it out and use it as my main PC. I just bought a 1070 GPU to add to my Gaming set up which should hold me over for awhile longer. If you find one cheep and are considering using a 2600K in a build in 2016 I would say go for it. —Nov '16

Comment 

Still out here rockin' the 2600k in 2020 with very few issues. Sure, it could be a little faster sometimes. Still amazing that it's nearly 10 years old and still competes with some mid-range processors. Not upgrading till it dies, or is unusable with newer applications, probably. —Dec '20

Comment 

Happy 10th birthday for mine and still handles everything without a problem. Simply the best.—Nov '21

GBR-User
Avatar level
5,908

Excellent

22 months ago.

i own this but i am upgrading to a i9 9900k becuase they give a little more fps

DEU-User
Avatar level
5,867

Terrible

1 month ago.

Owned it for like 4 years, pretty good for all medium intensity games, struggles with newer titels ie: helldivers 2

CAN-User
Avatar level
5,080

Excellent

3 months ago.

12+ years @4.8ghz and still going strong.

IND-User
Avatar level
4,936

Poor

1 month ago.

Been using this cpu since 2012 and it's still running strong overclocked to 4.3GHz 24/7

RUS-User
Avatar level
4,854

Excellent

3 months ago.

released in 2011. in 2024 still very well performence

ESP-User
Avatar level
3,815

Terrible

4 months ago.

Comment 

One of the best CPUs in PC history. I'll keep mine at least until the Q1'2018 when Coffee Lake is launched (unless Kaby Lake shows a shocking performance). —Nov '16

NLD-User
Avatar level
3,610

Excellent

2 years ago.

I still use i7-2600K. I see no reason to upgrade this CPU while I am not using my PC for games. While I bought the PC since +/-2012 for 800€ with 8GB memory this is quite a bargain while the PC is still working perfect!

JPN-User
Avatar level
3,464

Good

22 months ago.

2023 and still solid CPU for most daily driver use, sat at 4.2ghz for years in gaming rig now back at 3.8 and not had a single issue for many years on Asus max iv extreme, what a legendary CPU.

HUN-User
Avatar level
3,445

Excellent

2 years ago.

Nice processor high perfomance

CHL-User
Avatar level
2,646

Liked

3 years ago.

Comment 

It's 2016, and this five year old CPU is still among the fastest by today's standards. Factor in some overclocking, and this chip can hold its own against the latest generation with no problems. As far as drawbacks go, the lack of PCIe 3.0 support, the dated DDR3-1333 controller and the older, less-efficient 32nm lithography would be the only shackles on an otherwise excellent processor.—Nov '16

SVK-User
Avatar level
2,494

Terrible

5 years ago.

in 2019 with gpu gtx 1070, high-ultra on 1080p with no problem

CPUPro
Avatar level
2,119

Very good

12 years ago.

Review  hothardware.com/...

Image  hothardware.com/...
CPU-Z (Stepped Down Clock)

CPU-Z (Stepped Down Clock)

Review  www.notebookcheck.net/...

Integrated HD Graphics 3000

Image  www.notebookcheck.net/...
GPU-Z

GPU-Z

PAN-User
Avatar level
1,146

Excellent

2 years ago.

Excelent CPU that gave their owners solid gaming performance for years. Still usable but it's time to upgrade.

Yodabest
Avatar level
611

Outstanding

5 years ago.

Perfect price / performance balance. No need to overclock it, with stock settings the frequency drops to 1.6 GHz when its idle, which keeps everything cool and quiet. Pros: Blisteringly fast. Cons: Can get hot when OC'd.

Tucker
Avatar level
108

Very good

12 years ago.

Easy stock overclock to 4.5 GHz. Pros: Cant believe how fast it runs. Cons: Gets very hot beyond 4.5 Ghz.

yaabalfazl
Avatar level
92

Poor

7 years ago.

it low for 4k

Drakorvich
Avatar level
48

Excellent

4 years ago.

My school has a computer with one of these and an r9 nano? in it. Nearly as fast as my own personal gaming PC.

polKZY
Avatar level
26

Excellent

5 years ago.

Now I use stable 4,6Ghz 1.35V. I checked 5.0Ghz at 1.45v and was still stable.

PCaddict
Avatar level
22

Good

8 years ago.

Great CPU that in 2016 is staying close to the new CPUs

Pyroglyph
Avatar level
10

Good

6 years ago.

Still going strong after all these years.

iamjohngalt
Avatar level
8

Excellent

5 years ago.

Within 15% performance of the best mainstream i7 8 years later (unless you spend a lot of time rendering video and need many cores to speed that process.) Dirt cheap used, great overclocking, and bullet proof. Eight years later and no good reason to upgrade.

TopMostDog
Avatar level
6

Excellent

5 years ago.

Absolutely loved this processor. Was able to run 5ghz on cheap air cooling with no bump to voltage. Happy days.

SjLeonardo
Avatar level
6

Good

5 years ago.

I use it myself, and it's still a fine choice if you get it at a low price to upgrade from a 2500k. I wouldn't recommend building a system from 0 with it, however. You also have to overclock pretty high to get the most out of it, but that shouldn't be a problem.

Bambooz
Avatar level
4

Excellent

9 years ago.

4 Years old, chugging along at 5GHz on air and still keeping up with waaay more expensive newer CPUs. I don't see the point of upgrading anytime soon :)

lbartosek
Avatar level
4

Excellent

5 years ago.

This CPU worked for me since 2011 and now it's going to sill work for other guy :)

guelagi
Avatar level
2

Outstanding

7 years ago.

Great old CPU...

MacherTV
Avatar level
2

Excellent

6 years ago.

old but gold

BarrahKooda
Avatar level
2

Good

6 years ago.

7 years and still going strong with a rubbish cooler... Not beefy enough for livestreaming, but for gaming its awesome. Will be replaced with Ryzen soon and transformed into a HTPC then.

OfficialAeon
Avatar level
2

Excellent

6 years ago.

Legendary CPU, a 2011 chip that'll compete with modern releases when given a half-decent overclock.

jtr99
Avatar level
2

Good

4 years ago.

Chugging away after so many years.

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opinion?
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Ready to retire
Age: 13 years

Speed Comparisons

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1468 Processors (Compared) Thousands of user benchmarks compiled into one comparison list

See how consistently different CPUs perform with varying real world conditions. The charts also illustrate overall performance, popularity and rank.

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The Best
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $210Nvidia RTX 4060 $285WD Black SN850X M.2 2TB $125
Intel Core i5-12600K $160Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $389WD Black SN850X M.2 1TB $80
Intel Core i5-12400F $111Nvidia RTX 4070 $500Crucial T700 M.2 4TB $330
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