N100 vs Core i7-2600

CPU

GPU

N100

4 Cores4 Thrd6 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

Core i7-2600

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

N100

4 / 4

5,355

+0.2%

5,346

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 N100 is positioned at rank 102 and the Core i7-2600 is on rank 835, so the N100 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 N100

#31

Ryzen 5 230

MSRP: $200|Avg: $190

94%

#90

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

274%

#91

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

270%

#92

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

248%

#93

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

247%

#94

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

244%

#96

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

236%

#97

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

226%

#98

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

226%

#99

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

220%

#102

N100

MSRP: $128|Avg: $128

100%

#106

Ryzen 5 2500U

MSRP: $349|Avg: N/A

98%

#109

Celeron 4305U

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

97%

#110

Celeron J1850

MSRP: $82|Avg: N/A

97%

#114

Core i3-4100M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $99

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

17146%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

16201%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

11763%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3544%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2807%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2456%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1406%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1388%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1264%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1264%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1250%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1216%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1199%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1194%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1183%

#835

Core i7-2600

MSRP: $294|Avg: $50

100%

#836

Pentium G870

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

100%

#837

Athlon II X2 210e

MSRP: $60|Avg: $28

100%

#838

Pentium G645

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

100%

#840

Pentium G630

MSRP: $75|Avg: $46

99%

#841

Core i5-2550K

MSRP: $235|Avg: $46

99%

#842

Athlon II X4 600e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

99%

#843

Core i5-6442EQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

99%

#844

Core i7-4785T

MSRP: $306|Avg: $32

99%

#845

Core i5-4690S

MSRP: $306|Avg: $189

98%

#846

Core i3-3250

MSRP: $138|Avg: $40

98%

#847

Core i3-3240

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

98%

#848

Pentium G640T

MSRP: $64|Avg: $69

98%

#849

Core i7-5930K

MSRP: $583|Avg: $410

98%

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 N100 (2023) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	N100	Core i7-2600
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($128)	✅ More affordable ($50)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Legacy / Intel 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2600 (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	N100	Core i7-2600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+156%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($128)	✅ More affordable ($50)

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.

N100 Benchmark Check

Core i7-2600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of N100 and Core i7-2600

N100

The N100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2023 (2 years ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 5,355 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-2600

The Core i7-2600 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: 8192 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: 5,346 points. Launch price was $247.

⚡

Processing Power

The N100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2600's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the N100 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600 — a 11.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600. The Core i7-2600 is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the N100 scores 5,355 against the Core i7-2600's 5,346 — a 0.2% lead for the N100. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N100 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600.

Feature	N100	Core i7-2600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.8 GHz+12%
Base Clock	—	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,355	5,346
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,648
Geekbench 6 Single	—	659
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,169

🧠

Memory & Platform

The N100 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-2600 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	N100	Core i7-2600
Socket	FCBGA1264	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (N100) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2600). The Core i7-2600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the N100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600 rivals FX-8350.

Feature	N100	Core i7-2600
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Productivity

💰

Value Analysis

The N100 launched at $128 MSRP, while the Core i7-2600 debuted at $294. At current prices ($128 vs $50), the Core i7-2600 is $78 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the N100 delivers 41.8 pts/$ vs 106.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600 — making the Core i7-2600 the 87.5% better value option.