Core i7-2600K vs Core i5-8365UE

Core i7-2600K

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2011

Core i5-8365UE

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2600K

4 / 8

5,484

+0.9%

5,435

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 Core i5-8365UE is on rank 919, so the Core i7-2600K 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 Core i5-8365UE

#907

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1603%

#908

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1580%

#909

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1450%

#910

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1444%

#911

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1430%

#913

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1381%

#914

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1325%

#915

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1322%

#916

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1287%

#919

Core i5-8365UE

MSRP: $297|Avg: $297

100%

#921

A6 Pro-7050B

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

99%

#923

Athlon II N370

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

99%

#928

A8-6410

MSRP: $100|Avg: $40

97%

#933

Athlon X2 L310

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

95%

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 Core i5-8365UE (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2600K	Core i5-8365UE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($109)	⚠️ Higher cost ($297)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 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	Core i5-8365UE
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+175%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($109)	⚠️ Higher cost ($297)

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

Core i5-8365UE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2600K and Core i5-8365UE

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.

Core i5-8365UE

The Core i5-8365UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,435 points. Launch price was $297.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-2600K and Core i5-8365UE share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600K versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8365UE — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-8365UE (base: 3.4 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i7-2600K uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-8365UE uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600K scores 5,484 against the Core i5-8365UE's 5,435 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-2600K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2600K vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8365UE.

Feature	Core i7-2600K	Core i5-8365UE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.1 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+112%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	5,484	5,435
Geekbench 6 Single	707	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2600K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-8365UE uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2600K	Core i5-8365UE
Socket	LGA1155	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i7-2600K) / not specified (Core i5-8365UE). The Core i7-2600K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i5-8365UE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600K rivals FX-8150.

Feature	Core i7-2600K	Core i5-8365UE
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 3000	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Gaming Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-2600K launched at $317 MSRP, while the Core i5-8365UE debuted at $297. At current prices ($109 vs $297), the Core i7-2600K is $188 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2600K delivers 50.3 pts/$ vs 18.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-8365UE — making the Core i7-2600K the 93.3% better value option.