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.

Core i5-4430 vs Core i7-2600S FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-4430 vs Core i7-2600S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-4430

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $115 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).
✅Delivers 63.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.6 vs 15.6 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2600S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌29.2% higher power demand at 84W vs 65W.

Core i7-2600S

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 84W, a 19W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,637 vs 4,653).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.6 vs 25.6 PassMark/$ ($297 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4430 better than Core i7-2600S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2600S is ahead with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4430 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i7-2600S also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4430 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-4430 is the better buy right now. Core i5-4430 comes in $115 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $297 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-2600S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 63.7% better value on MSRP (25.6 vs 15.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-4430 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4430 vs Core i7-2600S Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-4430

The Core i5-4430 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,653 points. Launch price was $182.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4430 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2600S's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-4430 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600S — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600S (base: 3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-4430 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-2600S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4430 scores 4,653 against the Core i7-2600S's 4,637 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-4430. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,015 vs 630, a 46.8% lead for the Core i5-4430 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4430 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600S.

Feature	Core i5-4430	Core i7-2600S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.8 GHz+19%
Base Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,653	4,637
Geekbench 6 Single	1,015+61%	630

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4430 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2600S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-4430 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2600S — the Core i5-4430 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4430) and H61,H67,Z68,B75 (Core i7-2600S).

Feature	Core i5-4430	Core i7-2600S
Socket	LGA1150	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4430) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i7-2600S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4430 targets Desktop, Core i7-2600S targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-4430 rivals FX-6300; Core i7-2600S rivals Phenom II X4 910e.

Feature	Core i5-4430	Core i7-2600S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4600	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Desktop	Low Power Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4430 was priced at $182, while the Core i7-2600S came in at $297. On launch pricing ($182 vs $297), Core i5-4430 was $115 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4430 delivers 25.6 pts/$ vs 15.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600S — making the Core i5-4430 the 48.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4430	Core i7-2600S
MSRP	$182-39%	$297
Performance per Dollar	25.6+64%	15.6
Release Date	2013	2011

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