Core i7-860S vs Core i7-1060G7

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.

Core i7-860S vs Core i7-1060G7 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-860S vs Core i7-1060G7: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-860S

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-1060G7.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (451 vs 1,523).
❌Launch MSRP is still $299 MSRP, while Core i7-1060G7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌811.1% higher power demand at 82W vs 9W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-1060G7 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-1060G7

2019

Why buy it

✅+237.7% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 9W instead of 82W, a 73W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Plus Graphics, while Core i7-860S needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,322 vs 2,324).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-860S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-1060G7 better than Core i7-860S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-1060G7 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-860S pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-860S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-1060G7 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-1060G7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $299 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-860S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (7.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-1060G7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-860S vs Core i7-1060G7 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-860S

The Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,324 points. Launch price was $422.

Core i7-1060G7

The Core i7-1060G7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake (Client) (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 2,322 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-860S and Core i7-1060G7 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-860S versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-1060G7 — a 9.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-1060G7 (base: 2.53 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i7-860S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-1060G7 uses Ice Lake (Client) (2019) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-860S scores 2,324 against the Core i7-1060G7's 2,322 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-860S. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 451 vs 1,523, a 108.6% lead for the Core i7-1060G7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-860S	Core i7-1060G7
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.46 GHz	3.8 GHz+10%
Base Clock	2.53 GHz+153%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	10 nm-78%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Ice Lake (Client) (2019)
PassMark	2,324	2,322
Geekbench 6 Single	451	1,523+238%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,332	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-860S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-1060G7 uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-860S versus LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i7-1060G7 — the Core i7-1060G7 supports 180% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-1060G7 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-860S) and Ice Lake-Y (Core i7-1060G7).

Feature	Core i7-860S	Core i7-1060G7
Socket	LGA1156	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	LPDDR4-3733+180%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	32 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-1060G7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-860S) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-1060G7). The Core i7-1060G7 includes integrated graphics (Iris Plus Graphics), while the Core i7-860S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-1060G7 targets Premium Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i7-1060G7 rivals Ryzen 7 4700U.