Intel Core i3-1115GRE vs Intel Core i7-2600S Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1115GRE has 2 cores and 4 threads. The i7-2600S doubles the thread count of the i3-1115GRE.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: In Cinebench R15 single-core, both score exactly 55, a tie. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-2600S leads with 233 versus 231, a 0.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-2600S scores 555 versus 550, again a 0.9% edge.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The i7-2600S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i3-1115GRE has a TDP of 15 watts. The mobile chip uses dramatically less power, which is reflected in its BGA 1449 socket and mobile market segment.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-1115GRE supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-2600S does not list ECC support.

Q: What generation and process node does each chip use?

A: The i7-2600S is a Sandy Bridge part on a 32 nm process, released in 2011. The i3-1115GRE is a Tiger Lake-U (Willow Cove-U) part on a 10 nm process, released in 2020. The i3-1115GRE is also listed as Active production, while the i7-2600S is End-of-life.

Q: How many benchmark wins does each processor have in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The i7-2600S wins all 6 head-to-head benchmarks (Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single and multi-core). The i3-1115GRE wins none.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i7-2600S is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark test. It wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 0.9% to 1% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single and multi-threaded workloads. For anyone prioritizing raw compute performance, regardless of the specific test, the i7-2600S is the pick.

However, the Intel Core i3-1115GRE is not without its own rationale. Its 15-watt TDP, versus 65 watts for the i7-2600S, makes it the obvious choice for power-constrained or mobile designs. The i3-1115GRE also brings ECC memory support, a feature absent on the older chip. The i3-1115GRE is an active, modern part with a launch MSRP of $338, while the i7-2600S is an end-of-life desktop chip from 2011.

The verdict depends on the context. In a desktop socket with power to spare, the i7-2600S wins on every benchmark metric. In a low-power mobile system or a server-like environment requiring ECC, the i3-1115GRE is the only viable option. The i7-2600S is for performance; the i3-1115GRE is for efficiency and reliability features.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent, if narrow, victory for the i7-2600S across all six Cinebench tests. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i7-2600S scores 396 versus 392, a 1% lead. This is the only test with a full 1% delta.

In the other five tests, the delta is 0.9%. This includes Cinebench R20 multi-core (1651 versus 1637), Cinebench R20 single-core (233 versus 231), Cinebench R23 multi-core (3933 versus 3899), and Cinebench R23 single-core (555 versus 550). In Cinebench R15 single-core, both chips score exactly 55, a perfect tie.

The pattern is remarkable: the i7-2600S's advantage is nearly uniform across all workloads, regardless of thread count. This suggests the older chip's extra cores and threads do not provide a disproportionate multi-threaded advantage over the newer, lower-power chip. Instead, the i7-2600S is simply slightly ahead everywhere.

It is also notably the i3-1115GRE's single-core scores are almost identical to the i7-2600S, despite the massive generational gap. The 10 nm Tiger Lake architecture nearly closes the single-thread gap, but not quite. The i7-2600S still wins every single-core test, which speaks to its high boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.90 GHz on the i3-1115GRE.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every core specification. The i7-2600S has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-1115GRE has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.80 GHz and 2.20 GHz respectively, while boost clocks are 3.80 GHz and 3.90 GHz. The newer chip boosts slightly higher.

The cache hierarchy is also distinct. The i7-2600S has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The i3-1115GRE has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3. The i3 has more L1 and L2 per core, but less total L3.

Memory support differs: the i7-2600S uses DDR3, while the i3-1115GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i7-2600S does not support ECC, but the i3-1115GRE does.

PCIe support is another split: the i7-2600S has Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i3-1115GRE has Gen 4 with 4 lanes. The i7-2600S uses an Intel Socket 1155, the i3-1115GRE uses Intel BGA 1449. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 2000 on the i7-2600S versus UHD Graphics G4 48EU on the i3-1115GRE.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is enormous. The i7-2600S is built on Sandy Bridge, a 32 nm process from Intel, with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The i3-1115GRE uses Tiger Lake-U (Willow Cove-U), a 10 nm process, with a smaller 144 mm² die. The i3 does not list a transistor count, but the process node is three generations newer.

The i7-2600S is a desktop part from the Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) generation, released in January 2011. The i3-1115GRE is a mobile part from the Core i3 (Willow Cove-U) generation, released in September 2020. Production status differs: the i7-2600S is end-of-life, while the i3-1115GRE is active.

The memory architecture also reflects the generational shift. The i7-2600S is limited to DDR3, while the i3-1115GRE supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X. This is a fundamental change in memory technology that affects bandwidth and latency, though the database does not record memory bandwidth figures for either chip.

The PCIe implementation differs as well. The i7-2600S offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i3-1115GRE offers Gen 4 with 4 lanes. The newer chip has a faster PCIe standard but far fewer lanes, reflecting its mobile, low-power design.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2600S wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so its case is straightforward. It is the better choice for any workload that relies on Cinebench scores, which are representative of render and multi-threaded compute tasks. Its 4-core, 8-thread configuration gives it a structural advantage in multi-threaded workloads, and its higher base clock (2.80 GHz versus 2.20 GHz) helps in sustained operations. The data shows it is 1% faster in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 0.9% faster in all other tests except the single-core R15 tie.

The i3-1115GRE wins in no benchmark, but it wins in other dimensions. Its 15-watt TDP makes it the only reasonable choice for fanless or battery-powered designs. Its ECC memory support opens the door to error-correcting workloads that the i7-2600S cannot handle. Its support for DDR4 and LPDDR4X means it can use modern memory modules. Its Gen 4 PCIe, while only 4 lanes, offers a newer interface standard.

In practical terms, the i7-2600S is the pick for a desktop build where power is not a concern and raw compute is the priority. The i3-1115GRE is the pick for a mobile, embedded, or low-power system where the 15-watt TDP, ECC support, and modern memory types matter more than a 0.9% benchmark delta. The i3-1115GRE also has the advantage of being an active production part with a launch MSRP of $338, while the i7-2600S is end-of-life.

For a builder with an existing Socket 1155 platform, the i7-2600S is a drop-in upgrade that delivers the best available performance in this comparison. For a new, power-efficient system, the i3-1115GRE is the modern alternative, trading a small amount of compute performance for a large reduction in power draw and the addition of ECC support.