Core i7-2600 vs FX-8150

Core i7-2600 vs FX-8150 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-2600

4 / 8

5,346

+0.5%

5,318

0.0%

Athlon Silver 3050U

Ryzen Embedded V1202B

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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.

Core i7-2600 vs FX-8150 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 FX-8150: 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

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 95W instead of 125W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2000, while FX-8150 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike FX-8150.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8150 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.2 vs 21.7 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $245 MSRP).

FX-8150

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $49 less on MSRP ($245 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.7 vs 18.2 PassMark/$ ($245 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,318 vs 5,346).
❌31.6% higher power demand at 125W vs 95W.
❌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 i7-2600 better than FX-8150?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-8150 is ahead with a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2600 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-2600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-2600 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-2600 comes in 20.0% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $245 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. FX-8150 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 19.4% better value on paper (21.7 vs 18.2 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3+.

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

FX-8150 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i7-2600 vs FX-8150 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.

FX-8150

The FX-8150 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zambezi (2011−2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,318 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2600 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8150 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8150 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600 versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-8150 — a 10% clock advantage for the FX-8150 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-2600 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-8150 uses Zambezi (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600 scores 5,346 against the FX-8150's 5,318 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-2600. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600 vs 8192 kB on the FX-8150.

Feature	Core i7-2600	FX-8150
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.2 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	8192 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	8192 kB+3100%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Zambezi (2011−2012)
PassMark	5,346	5,318
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,648	—
Geekbench 6 Single	659	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,169	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2600 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-8150 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2600	FX-8150
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2600) / not specified (FX-8150). The Core i7-2600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the FX-8150 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600 rivals FX-8350.

Feature	Core i7-2600	FX-8150
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Productivity	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-2600 was priced at $294, while the FX-8150 came in at $245. On launch pricing ($294 vs $245), FX-8150 was $49 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2600 delivers 18.2 pts/$ vs 21.7 pts/$ for the FX-8150 — making the FX-8150 the 17.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-2600	FX-8150
MSRP	$294	$245-17%
Performance per Dollar	18.2	21.7+19%
Release Date	2011	2011

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