N150 vs Core i7-2600K

CPU

GPU

N150

4 Cores4 Thrd−WMax: 3.6 GHz2025

Core i7-2600K

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

N150

4 / 4

5,418

0.0%

5,484

+1.2%

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 N150 is positioned at rank 98 and the Core i7-2600K is on rank 860, so the N150 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 N150

#86

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

271%

#87

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

267%

#88

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

245%

#89

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

244%

#90

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

242%

#92

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

233%

#93

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

224%

#94

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

223%

#95

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

217%

#98

N150

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $128

100%

#102

N100

MSRP: $128|Avg: $128

99%

#106

Ryzen 5 2500U

MSRP: $349|Avg: N/A

97%

#109

Celeron 4305U

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

#110

Celeron J1850

MSRP: $82|Avg: N/A

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

18018%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

17025%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

12362%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3724%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2950%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2581%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1478%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1459%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1328%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1328%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1313%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1278%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1260%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1255%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1243%

#298

Core i9-7960X

MSRP: $1699|Avg: $185

95%

#860

Core i7-2600K

MSRP: $317|Avg: $109

100%

#861

Pentium G860

MSRP: $86|Avg: $36

100%

#862

Athlon II X2 245

MSRP: $66|Avg: $15

99%

#863

Core i7-2700K

MSRP: $332|Avg: $45

99%

#865

Core i5-4670K

MSRP: $328|Avg: $200

98%

#866

Core i5-3330S

MSRP: $231|Avg: $30

98%

#867

Celeron G465

MSRP: $70|Avg: $37

98%

#868

Athlon II X4 630

MSRP: $129|Avg: $15

97%

#869

A6-7400K

MSRP: $101|Avg: $43

96%

#870

Core i7-4765T

MSRP: $303|Avg: $50

96%

#871

Core i7-4770TE

MSRP: $303|Avg: $303

96%

#872

Core i5-4570T

MSRP: $195|Avg: $45

96%

#873

Athlon II X2 260u

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

95%

#875

A4-3420

MSRP: $65|Avg: $30

95%

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 N150 (2025) utilizes Intel 7 nm technology and DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	N150	Core i7-2600K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($128)	✅ More affordable ($109)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Legacy / Intel 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

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

Insight	N150	Core i7-2600K
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+19%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($128)	✅ More affordable ($109)

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.

N150 Benchmark Check

Core i7-2600K Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of N150 and Core i7-2600K

N150

The N150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 5,418 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-2600K

The Core i7-2600K 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: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,484 points. Launch price was $317.

⚡

Processing Power

The N150 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2600K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the N150 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600K — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600K. The Core i7-2600K is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the N150 scores 5,418 against the Core i7-2600K's 5,484 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-2600K. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N150 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2600K.

Feature	N150	Core i7-2600K
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	—	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,418	5,484+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	707

🧠

Memory & Platform

The N150 uses the FCBGA1264 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-2600K uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	N150	Core i7-2600K
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 (N150) / VT-x (Core i7-2600K). The Core i7-2600K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the N150 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600K rivals FX-8150.

Feature	N150	Core i7-2600K
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Gaming Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($128 vs $109), the Core i7-2600K is $19 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the N150 delivers 42.3 pts/$ vs 50.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600K — making the Core i7-2600K the 17.2% better value option.