Core i7-2600K vs Core i5-4670

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

The Core i7-2600K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4670 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 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: P67,Z68,Z77,H67,H61,B75 (Core i7-2600K) and H81,B85,H87,Z87,H97,Z97 (Core i5-4670).

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

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