Core i7-2600S vs Core i5-7400T
Core i7-2600S
Core i5-7400T
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i7-2600S is positioned at rank 889 and the Core i5-7400T is on rank 666, so the Core i5-7400T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600S
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7400T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2600S | Core i5-7400T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) | ✅ More affordable ($78) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2600S | Core i5-7400T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+28%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) | ✅ More affordable ($78) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2600S and Core i5-7400T
Core i7-2600S
The Core i7-2600S 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 2.8 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,637 points. Launch price was $210.
Core i5-7400T
The Core i5-7400T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,692 points. Launch price was $187.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2600S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-7400T's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600S versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-7400T — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600S (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-2600S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-7400T uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600S scores 4,637 against the Core i5-7400T's 4,692 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-7400T. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 630 vs 1,069, a 51.7% lead for the Core i5-7400T that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600S vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7400T.
| Feature | Core i7-2600S | Core i5-7400T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+27% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+17% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB (total)+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 4,637 | 4,692+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 3,334 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 630 | 1,069+70% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 2,463 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2600S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-7400T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2600S versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7400T — the Core i5-7400T supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-7400T 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: H61,H67,Z68,B75 (Core i7-2600S) and B150,Q170,B250,Q250,H110,Q270,H170,Z170,H270,Z270 (Core i5-7400T).
| Feature | Core i7-2600S | Core i5-7400T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2400+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2600S) vs Yes (Core i5-7400T). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2000 (Core i7-2600S) and Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7400T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600S targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600S rivals Phenom II X4 910e.
| Feature | Core i7-2600S | Core i5-7400T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2000 | Intel HD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | Yes |
| Target Use | Low Power Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2600S launched at $297 MSRP, while the Core i5-7400T debuted at $182. At current prices ($99 vs $78), the Core i5-7400T is $21 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2600S delivers 46.8 pts/$ vs 60.2 pts/$ for the Core i5-7400T — making the Core i5-7400T the 24.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-2600S | Core i5-7400T |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $297 | $182-39% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $99 | $78-21% |
| Performance per Dollar | 46.8 | 60.2+29% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2017 |
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