Core i3-1115GRE vs Core i7-2600S

CPU

GPU

Core i3-1115GRE

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2020

Core i7-2600S

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-1115GRE

2 / 4

4,588

0.0%

4,637

+1.1%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-1115GRE is positioned at rank 1009 and the Core i7-2600S is on rank 889, so the Core i7-2600S offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-1115GRE

#996

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2162%

#997

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2130%

#998

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1956%

#999

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1947%

#1000

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1929%

#1002

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1863%

#1003

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1786%

#1004

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1783%

#1005

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1735%

#1008

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

100%

#1009

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

100%

#1010

Core i7-4702MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

100%

#1011

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

99%

#1012

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

98%

#1013

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

97%

#1014

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

#1015

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

97%

#1016

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

96%

#1017

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

96%

#1018

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

95%

#1019

Athlon Neo MV-40

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

94%

#1020

Core i7-4860EQ

MSRP: $434|Avg: $80

94%

#1021

Pentium SU2700

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

93%

#1022

A4-1250

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600S

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

19969%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

18869%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

13700%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

4127%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

3269%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2860%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1638%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1617%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1472%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1472%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1455%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1416%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1396%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1391%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1378%

#299

Core i9-7980XE

MSRP: $1999|Avg: $300

95%

#889

Core i7-2600S

MSRP: $297|Avg: $99

100%

#890

Athlon II X2 250e

MSRP: $77|Avg: $15

100%

#891

Athlon II X2 250u

MSRP: $60|Avg: $15

100%

#892

Pentium G6951

MSRP: $89|Avg: $50

100%

#893

Core i3-2125

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

100%

#895

Celeron G1820

MSRP: $110|Avg: $15

99%

#896

Celeron E1600

MSRP: $53|Avg: $10

99%

#897

Athlon II X2 270u

MSRP: $68|Avg: $10

98%

#898

Core i5-4570TE

MSRP: $202|Avg: $40

98%

#899

Core i3-2130

MSRP: $138|Avg: $138

96%

#902

Core i3-6100E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $50

94%

#903

Core i3-4330TE

MSRP: $138|Avg: $15

94%

#904

Pentium E5700

MSRP: $75|Avg: $15

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-1115GRE (2020) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, LPDDR4X, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i7-2600S
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($480)	✅ More affordable ($99)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) / 10 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2600S (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i7-2600S
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+390%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($480)	✅ More affordable ($99)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-1115GRE Benchmark Check

Core i7-2600S Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-1115GRE and Core i7-2600S

Core i3-1115GRE

The Core i3-1115GRE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, LPDDR4X. Passmark benchmark score: 4,588 points. Launch price was $338.

Core i7-2600S

The Core i7-2600S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,637 points. Launch price was $210.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-1115GRE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2600S offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-2600S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1115GRE versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600S — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-1115GRE (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-1115GRE uses the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i7-2600S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1115GRE scores 4,588 against the Core i7-2600S's 4,637 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-2600S. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,175 vs 630, a 60.4% lead for the Core i3-1115GRE that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115GRE vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600S.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i7-2600S
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm-69%	32 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,588	4,637+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,175+87%	630
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,233	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1115GRE uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-2600S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-1115GRE versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2600S — the Core i3-1115GRE supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-1115GRE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Core i3-1115GRE) vs 16 (Core i7-2600S) — the Core i7-2600S offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i3-1115GRE) and H61,H67,Z68,B75 (Core i7-2600S).

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i7-2600S
Socket	FCBGA1449	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+33%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	4	16+300%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i3-1115GRE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i3-1115GRE) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2600S). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics (Core i3-1115GRE) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i7-2600S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600S targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600S rivals Phenom II X4 910e.

Feature	Core i3-1115GRE	Core i7-2600S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Low Power Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i3-1115GRE launched at $338 MSRP, while the Core i7-2600S debuted at $297. At current prices ($480 vs $99), the Core i7-2600S is $381 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-1115GRE delivers 9.6 pts/$ vs 46.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600S — making the Core i7-2600S the 132.2% better value option.