Core i5-2300 vs Core i7-880
Core i5-2300
Core i7-880
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i5-2300 is positioned at rank 799 and the Core i7-880 is on rank 1064, so the Core i5-2300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2300
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-880
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-880 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($17) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-880 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+138%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($17) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2300 and Core i7-880
Core i5-2300
The Core i5-2300 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 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,475 points. Launch price was $168.
Core i7-880
The Core i7-880 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,429 points. Launch price was $583.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-880's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2300 versus 3.73 GHz on the Core i7-880 — a 18.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-880 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core i5-2300 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-880 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2300 scores 3,475 against the Core i7-880's 3,429 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-2300. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 516 vs 507, a 1.8% lead for the Core i5-2300 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,515 vs 1,478 (2.5% advantage for the Core i5-2300). L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2300 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-880.
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-880 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.73 GHz+20% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.06 GHz+9% |
| L3 Cache | 6144 kB (total) | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Lynnfield (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,475+1% | 3,429 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 516+2% | 507 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,515+3% | 1,478 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2300 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-880 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2300 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2300) and P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-880).
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-880 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+100% | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Both support Yes virtualization. The Core i5-2300 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Core i7-880 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-880 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | Yes |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-2300 launched at $177 MSRP, while the Core i7-880 debuted at $583. At current prices ($17 vs $40), the Core i5-2300 is $23 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2300 delivers 204.4 pts/$ vs 85.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-880 — making the Core i5-2300 the 81.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-2300 | Core i7-880 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $177-70% | $583 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $17-57% | $40 |
| Performance per Dollar | 204.4+139% | 85.7 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2010 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i5-2300 and Core i7-880
