Core i7-2600 vs Core i7-4702HQ

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 i7-2600 vs Core i7-4702HQ 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 i7-2600 vs Core i7-4702HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-2600

2011

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2000, while Core i7-4702HQ needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-4702HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,346 vs 5,406).
❌Launch MSRP is still $294 MSRP, while Core i7-4702HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌156.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 37W.

Core i7-4702HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 37W instead of 95W, a 58W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-2600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-2600.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4702HQ better than Core i7-2600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-2600 is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4702HQ pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4702HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4702HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4702HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. Core i7-2600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i7-4702HQ 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 / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-2600 vs Core i7-4702HQ Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-4702HQ

The Core i7-4702HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 May 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,406 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-2600 and Core i7-4702HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-4702HQ — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-2600 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-4702HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600 scores 5,346 against the Core i7-4702HQ's 5,406 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-4702HQ. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4702HQ.

Feature	Core i7-2600	Core i7-4702HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+19%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+55%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,346	5,406+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,648	—
Geekbench 6 Single	659	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,169	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2600 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-4702HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2600	Core i7-4702HQ
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2600) / not specified (Core i7-4702HQ). The Core i7-2600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Core i7-4702HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600 rivals FX-8350.