Core i7-2657M vs Pentium Gold G5600T
Core i7-2657M
Pentium Gold G5600T
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. The Core i7-2657M is positioned at rank #268 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2657M
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2657M | Pentium Gold G5600T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2657M | Pentium Gold G5600T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i7-2657M and Pentium Gold G5600T
Core i7-2657M
The Core i7-2657M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,491 points. Launch price was $317.
Pentium Gold G5600T
The Pentium Gold G5600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,496 points. Launch price was $75.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-2657M and Pentium Gold G5600T share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-2657M versus 3.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5600T — a 20% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5600T (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-2657M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5600T uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2657M scores 3,491 against the Pentium Gold G5600T's 3,496 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium Gold G5600T. Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-2657M | Pentium Gold G5600T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.3 GHz+22% |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 3.3 GHz+106% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | 4 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 512 kB |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) |
| PassMark | 3,491 | 3,496 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 535 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2657M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G5600T uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2657M versus DDR4-2400 on the Pentium Gold G5600T — the Pentium Gold G5600T supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium Gold G5600T supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core i7-2657M | Pentium Gold G5600T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2400+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 64 GB+700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2657M) vs VT-x (Pentium Gold G5600T). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2657M) and UHD Graphics 630 (Pentium Gold G5600T) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2657M targets Ultrabook, Pentium Gold G5600T targets Low Power. Direct competitor: Core i7-2657M rivals A6-3420M.
| Feature | Core i7-2657M | Pentium Gold G5600T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x |
| Target Use | Ultrabook | Low Power |
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