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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-5675R

2015

Why buy it

✅+63.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌
6.9% HIGHER MSRP
$339 MSRPvs$317 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-2600K.

Core i7-2600K

2011

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Costs $22 less on MSRP ($317 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-5675R.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (707 vs 1,157).
❌Lower PassMark (5,484 vs 5,564).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Core i5-5675R

2015

Core i7-2600K

2011

Why buy it

✅+63.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Costs $22 less on MSRP ($317 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-5675R.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌
6.9% HIGHER MSRP
$339 MSRPvs$317 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-2600K.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (707 vs 1,157).
❌Lower PassMark (5,484 vs 5,564).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-5675R better than Core i7-2600K?

Yes. Core i5-5675R is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.5% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-5675R is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 1.5% more average FPS across 2 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-5675R is the better fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-5675R is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i5-5675R is 6.9% more expensive on MSRP at $339 MSRP versus $317 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-2600K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 5.4% better value on paper (17.3 vs 16.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i5-5675R is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-5675R Benchmark Check

Core i7-2600K Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-5675R	Core i7-2600K
1080p
low	139 FPS	137 FPS
medium	139 FPS	137 FPS
high	115 FPS	114 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	92 FPS
1440p
low	139 FPS	137 FPS
medium	119 FPS	118 FPS
high	95 FPS	93 FPS
ultra	75 FPS	75 FPS
4K
low	66 FPS	64 FPS
medium	58 FPS	57 FPS
high	46 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	36 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i5-5675R Open Core i7-2600K

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-5675R	Core i7-2600K
1080p
low	139 FPS	137 FPS
medium	139 FPS	137 FPS
high	134 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	104 FPS	126 FPS
1440p
low	139 FPS	137 FPS
medium	121 FPS	137 FPS
high	112 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	112 FPS
4K
low	104 FPS	133 FPS
medium	93 FPS	118 FPS
high	74 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	55 FPS	69 FPS

Open Core i5-5675R Open Core i7-2600K

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-5675R	Core i7-2600K
1080p
low	139 FPS	137 FPS
medium	139 FPS	137 FPS
high	139 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	137 FPS
1440p
low	139 FPS	137 FPS
medium	139 FPS	137 FPS
high	139 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	137 FPS
4K
low	139 FPS	137 FPS
medium	139 FPS	137 FPS
high	139 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	137 FPS

Open Core i5-5675R Open Core i7-2600K

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-5675R	Core i7-2600K
1080p
low	139 FPS	137 FPS
medium	139 FPS	137 FPS
high	139 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	137 FPS
1440p
low	139 FPS	137 FPS
medium	139 FPS	137 FPS
high	139 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	137 FPS
4K
low	139 FPS	137 FPS
medium	139 FPS	137 FPS
high	139 FPS	137 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	137 FPS

Open Core i5-5675R Open Core i7-2600K

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-5675R and Core i7-2600K

Core i5-5675R

The Core i5-5675R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 May 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,564 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-2600K

The Core i7-2600K 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: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,484 points. Launch price was $317.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-5675R packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2600K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-5675R versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600K — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600K (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-5675R uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-2600K uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5675R scores 5,564 against the Core i7-2600K's 5,484 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-5675R. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,157 vs 707, a 48.3% lead for the Core i5-5675R that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-5675R vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2600K.

Feature	Core i5-5675R	Core i7-2600K
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.4 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,564+1%	5,484
Geekbench 6 Single	1,157+64%	707

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5675R uses the BGA1364 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 DDR3L-1866 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: Z97,H97 (Core i5-5675R) and P67,Z68,Z77,H67,H61,B75 (Core i7-2600K).

Feature	Core i5-5675R	Core i7-2600K
Socket	BGA1364	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1866	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

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, EPT (Core i5-5675R) vs VT-x (Core i7-2600K). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Pro Graphics 6200 (Core i5-5675R) and HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2600K) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5675R targets All-in-One Desktop, Core i7-2600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-5675R rivals A10-7890K; Core i7-2600K rivals FX-8150.

Feature	Core i5-5675R	Core i7-2600K
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Pro Graphics 6200	HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x
Target Use	All-in-One Desktop	Gaming Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-5675R launched at $339 MSRP, while the Core i7-2600K debuted at $317. On MSRP ($339 vs $317), the Core i7-2600K is $22 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-5675R delivers 16.4 pts/$ vs 17.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600K — making the Core i7-2600K the 5.3% better value option.