Core i7-2600K vs Atom x7425E

Core i7-2600K

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2011

Atom x7425E

4 Cores4 Thrd12 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2600K

4 / 8

5,484

+1.1%

5,427

0.0%

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 i7-2600K is positioned at rank 860 and the Atom x7425E is on rank 213, so the Atom x7425E offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

18018%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

17025%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

12362%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3724%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2950%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2581%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1478%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1459%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1328%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1328%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1313%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1278%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1260%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1255%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1243%

#298

Core i9-7960X

MSRP: $1699|Avg: $185

95%

#860

Core i7-2600K

MSRP: $317|Avg: $109

100%

#861

Pentium G860

MSRP: $86|Avg: $36

100%

#862

Athlon II X2 245

MSRP: $66|Avg: $15

99%

#863

Core i7-2700K

MSRP: $332|Avg: $45

99%

#865

Core i5-4670K

MSRP: $328|Avg: $200

98%

#866

Core i5-3330S

MSRP: $231|Avg: $30

98%

#867

Celeron G465

MSRP: $70|Avg: $37

98%

#868

Athlon II X4 630

MSRP: $129|Avg: $15

97%

#869

A6-7400K

MSRP: $101|Avg: $43

96%

#870

Core i7-4765T

MSRP: $303|Avg: $50

96%

#871

Core i7-4770TE

MSRP: $303|Avg: $303

96%

#872

Core i5-4570T

MSRP: $195|Avg: $45

96%

#873

Athlon II X2 260u

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

95%

#875

A4-3420

MSRP: $65|Avg: $30

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x7425E

#57

Ryzen AI 9 365

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

97%

#201

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

378%

#202

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

373%

#203

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

342%

#204

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

341%

#205

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

338%

#207

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

326%

#208

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

313%

#209

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

312%

#210

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

304%

#213

Atom x7425E

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom x7425E (2023) utilizes 10 nm technology and **DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel**, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2600K	Atom x7425E
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($109)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Gracemont (2023) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2600K (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2600K	Atom x7425E
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($109)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

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 i7-2600K Benchmark Check

Atom x7425E Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2600K and Atom x7425E

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.

Atom x7425E

The Atom x7425E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Gracemont (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 12 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,427 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2600K packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Atom x7425E's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600K versus 3.4 GHz on the Atom x7425E — a 11.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i7-2600K uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Atom x7425E uses Gracemont (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600K scores 5,484 against the Atom x7425E's 5,427 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-2600K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2600K vs 6 MB (total) on the Atom x7425E.

Feature	Core i7-2600K	Atom x7425E
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+12%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+127%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB (total)+700%
Process	32 nm	10 nm-69%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Gracemont (2023)
PassMark	5,484+1%	5,427
Geekbench 6 Single	707	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2600K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Atom x7425E uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2600K versus DDR5-4800 on the Atom x7425E — the Atom x7425E supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-2600K supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-2600K) vs 1 (Atom x7425E). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2600K) vs 9 (Atom x7425E) — the Core i7-2600K offers 7 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P67,Z68,Z77,H67,H61,B75 (Core i7-2600K) and Intel BGA1264 (Atom x7425E).

Feature	Core i7-2600K	Atom x7425E
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1744
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR5-4800+67%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16+78%	9

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i7-2600K) / not specified (Atom x7425E). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2600K) and Intel UHD Graphics (24EU) (Atom x7425E) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600K rivals FX-8150.