CPU
GPU
Core i5-4590
Core i7-2600
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 i5-4590 is positioned at rank 624 and the Core i7-2600 is on rank 835, so the Core i5-4590 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4590
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-4590 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($51) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-4590 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($51) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
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 i5-4590 and Core i7-2600
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.
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 |
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. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. 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 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
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 |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-4590 launched at $192 MSRP, while the Core i7-2600 debuted at $294. At current prices ($51 vs $50), the Core i7-2600 is $1 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4590 delivers 105.4 pts/$ vs 106.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600 — making the Core i7-2600 the 1.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-4590 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $192-35% | $294 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $51 | $50-2% |
| Performance per Dollar | 105.4 | 106.9+1% |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2011 |
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