Core i7-2600K vs Core i5-7440HQ

The Core i7-2600K packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-7440HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600K versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7440HQ — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-2600K uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-7440HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600K scores 5,484 against the Core i5-7440HQ's 5,490 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-7440HQ. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 707 vs 1,277, a 57.5% lead for the Core i5-7440HQ that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2600K vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7440HQ.

The Core i7-2600K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-7440HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2600K versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7440HQ — the Core i5-7440HQ supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-7440HQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. 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 HM175,QM175 (Core i5-7440HQ).

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, EPT (Core i5-7440HQ). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2600K) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7440HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600K targets Gaming Desktop, Core i5-7440HQ targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600K rivals FX-8150; Core i5-7440HQ rivals Ryzen 5 2500U.