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 i5-4590 vs Core i7-2600 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 i5-4590 vs Core i7-2600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4590

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $102 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 54.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.0 vs 18.2 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 84W instead of 95W, a 11W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-2600

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,346 vs 5,376).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.2 vs 28.0 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4590 better than Core i7-2600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2600 is ahead with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4590 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-2600 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 i5-4590 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4590 is the better buy right now. Core i5-4590 comes in $102 cheaper on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-2600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 54.0% better value on MSRP (28.0 vs 18.2 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4590 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 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 i5-4590 vs Core i7-2600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4590

The Core i5-4590 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 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: 5,376 points. Launch price was $202.

Core i7-2600

The Core i7-2600 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 3.4 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): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,346 points. Launch price was $247.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4590 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2600's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-4590 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600 (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-4590 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-2600 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4590 scores 5,376 against the Core i7-2600's 5,346 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-4590. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 659, a 50.1% lead for the Core i5-4590 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-4590 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600.

Feature	Core i5-4590	Core i7-2600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.4 GHz+3%
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	5,376	5,346
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,648
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100+67%	659
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,169

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4590 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2600 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-4590 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2600 — the Core i5-4590 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,Q85,H87,Q87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4590) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,H77,Z77 (Core i7-2600).

Feature	Core i5-4590	Core i7-2600
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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-4590) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2600). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4590) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i7-2600) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4590 targets Desktop, Core i7-2600 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i5-4590 rivals FX-8350; Core i7-2600 rivals FX-8350.

Feature	Core i5-4590	Core i7-2600
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
Target Use	Desktop	Productivity

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4590 was priced at $192, while the Core i7-2600 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($192 vs $294), Core i5-4590 was $102 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4590 delivers 28.0 pts/$ vs 18.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600 — making the Core i5-4590 the 42.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4590	Core i7-2600
MSRP	$192-35%	$294
Performance per Dollar	28.0+54%	18.2
Release Date	2014	2011

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