Core i7-880 vs Core i5-2300
Core i7-880
Core i5-2300
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 i7-880 is positioned at rank 1064 and the Core i5-2300 is on rank 799, so the Core i5-2300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-880
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-880 | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($17) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-880 | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+138%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($17) |
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 i7-880 and Core i5-2300
Core i7-880
The Core i7-880 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,429 points. Launch price was $583.
Core i5-2300
The Core i5-2300 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 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,475 points. Launch price was $168.
Processing Power
The Core i7-880 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-2300's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.73 GHz on the Core i7-880 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2300 — a 18.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-880 (base: 3.06 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-880 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2300 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-880 scores 3,429 against the Core i5-2300's 3,475 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-2300. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 507 vs 516, a 1.8% lead for the Core i5-2300 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,478 vs 1,515 (2.5% advantage for the Core i5-2300). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-880 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2300.
| Feature | Core i7-880 | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.73 GHz+20% | 3.1 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.06 GHz+9% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6144 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 3,429 | 3,475+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 507 | 516+2% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,478 | 1,515+3% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-880 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2300 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2300 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% 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 i7-880) and H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2300).
| Feature | Core i7-880 | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 32 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Both support Yes virtualization. The Core i5-2300 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Core i7-880 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core i7-880 | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 2000 |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | Yes |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-880 launched at $583 MSRP, while the Core i5-2300 debuted at $177. At current prices ($40 vs $17), the Core i5-2300 is $23 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-880 delivers 85.7 pts/$ vs 204.4 pts/$ for the Core i5-2300 — making the Core i5-2300 the 81.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-880 | Core i5-2300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $583 | $177-70% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40 | $17-57% |
| Performance per Dollar | 85.7 | 204.4+139% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2011 |
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