Core i5-4670 vs Core i7-2600K

The Core i5-4670 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2600K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-4670 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600K — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-4670 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-2600K uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4670 scores 5,491 against the Core i7-2600K's 5,484 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-4670. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,169 vs 707, a 49.3% lead for the Core i5-4670 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-4670 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2600K.

The Core i5-4670 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2600K 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,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4670) and P67,Z68,Z77,H67,H61,B75 (Core i7-2600K).

Only the Core i7-2600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4670) vs VT-x (Core i7-2600K). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4670) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2600K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4670 targets Mid-Range Desktop, Core i7-2600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600K rivals FX-8150.

The Core i5-4670 launched at $213 MSRP, while the Core i7-2600K debuted at $317. At current prices ($65 vs $109), the Core i5-4670 is $44 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4670 delivers 84.5 pts/$ vs 50.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600K — making the Core i5-4670 the 50.7% better value option.