i5-3230M vs i7-2600

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-2600
2011
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
3.49
+109%

Core i7-2600 outperforms Core i5-3230M by a whopping 109% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-2600 and Core i5-3230M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking15572083
Place by popularity59not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.52no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i5
Power efficiency3.354.35
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date9 January 2011 (13 years ago)1 January 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$247$225

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-2600 and Core i5-3230M basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads84
Base clock speed3.4 GHz2.6 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache8192 KB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die size216 mm2118 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C105 °C
Number of transistors1,160 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-2600 and Core i5-3230M compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketLGA1155FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-2600 and Core i5-3230M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDI++
Fast Memory Access++

Security technologies

Core i7-2600 and Core i5-3230M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection++
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-2600 and Core i5-3230M are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-2600 and Core i5-3230M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 2000Intel HD Graphics 4000
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.35 GHz1.1 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-2600 and Core i5-3230M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported23
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-2600 and Core i5-3230M.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes1616

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-2600 3.49
+109%
i5-3230M 1.67

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-2600 5343
+108%
i5-3230M 2563

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-2600 613
+21.4%
i5-3230M 505

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-2600 2054
+102%
i5-3230M 1019

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-2600 5020
+48.5%
i5-3230M 3380

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.49 1.67
Integrated graphics card 0.55 1.18
Recency 9 January 2011 1 January 2013
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 35 Watt

i7-2600 has a 109% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i5-3230M, on the other hand, has 114.5% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 1 year, a 45.5% more advanced lithography process, and 171.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-2600 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-3230M in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-2600 is a desktop processor while Core i5-3230M is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-2600 and Core i5-3230M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-2600
Core i7-2600
Intel Core i5-3230M
Core i5-3230M

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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