Intel Core i3-N300 vs Intel Core i7-2600S Comparison

Intel Core i7-2600S and Intel Core i3-N300 occupy nearly the same average benchmark tier, with the i7-2600S averaging 1146 points and the i3-N300 averaging 1135 points, a difference of about 1%. Both CPUs sit at the 32nd percentile of all tested processors, meaning they land in the same performance bracket despite being separated by over a decade of architectural evolution. The recorded data shows a split decision: the i3-N300 wins four of the six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the i7-2600S takes two decisive victories, including the most demanding multi-threaded test. The i7-2600S is a 65-watt desktop part from 2011, built on a 32 nm process with 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-N300 is a 7-watt mobile processor from 2023, built on a 10 nm process with 8 cores and 8 threads. The i3-N300 carries a launch MSRP of $309, though that figure does not reflect its competitive positioning in this comparison.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload type. For sustained multi-core rendering workloads, particularly Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i7-2600S is the stronger choice, scoring 3933 points compared to 2546 points for the i3-N300, a 54.5% advantage. This is the single largest margin in the entire comparison and suggests the older desktop part retains an edge in heavily threaded applications that scale with its 8 threads and larger 8 MB shared L3 cache. Conversely, the i3-N300 dominates every other benchmark in the head-to-head set, including Cinebench R15, R20, and single-core tests, with advantages ranging from 4.8% to 42%. The i3-N300 wins R15 multi-core with 416 points over 396 points, R20 multi-core with 2849 points over 1651 points, and R20 single-core with 401 points over 233 points. The i7-2600S also wins R23 single-core with 555 points over 513 points, an 8.2% margin, but that is its only single-threaded victory.

The verdict depends on the target application. If the workload is modern Cinebench R23 multi-threaded rendering, the i7-2600S is the pick. If the workload involves older rendering tests, single-threaded tasks, or any scenario where power efficiency matters, the i3-N300 is the clear winner. The i3-N300 also offers active production status, while the i7-2600S is end-of-life, which matters for system longevity. The i7-2600S uses the Intel Socket 1155 platform, while the i3-N300 uses Intel BGA 1264, so motherboard compatibility is not interchangeable. The i3-N300 is a mobile segment part with a 7-watt TDP, making it suitable for low-power systems, whereas the i7-2600S is a desktop part with a 65-watt TDP. For users prioritizing raw multi-core throughput in the R23 test, the i7-2600S wins. For all other benchmark scenarios, the i3-N300 provides superior performance.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-N300 wins in four of the six recorded head-to-head benchmarks. Its largest victory is in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where it scores 2849 points against the i7-2600S's 1651 points, a 42% advantage. This is followed closely by R20 single-core, where the i3-N300 scores 401 points versus 233 points, a 41.9% lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i3-N300 scores 85 points against 55 points, a 35.3% advantage, and in R15 multi-core, it scores 416 points versus 396 points, a narrower 4.8% win. These results indicate that the i3-N300's Gracemont architecture, with its 8 cores and 2 MB L2 cache per module, delivers substantially better performance in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads from the Cinebench R15 and R20 suites. The i3-N300 also has a higher base clock of 100.00 GHz (which the database records as its base frequency) compared to the i7-2600S's 2.80 GHz, though the boost clocks are closer at 3.70 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. The i3-N300 supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a single-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-2600S supports only DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and no recorded bandwidth figure.

The i7-2600S wins in two benchmarks. Its most significant victory is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 3933 points against the i3-N300's 2546 points, a 54.5% margin. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and suggests that the i7-2600S's 8 MB shared L3 cache and 8 threads provide a distinct advantage in this specific rendering workload. The i7-2600S also wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 555 points versus 513 points, an 8.2% advantage. These two wins, while fewer in count, are substantial in magnitude for the R23 test. The i7-2600S also has a higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz compared to 3.70 GHz for the i3-N300, which may contribute to its R23 single-core win. The i7-2600S features 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the i3-N300 has 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, offering more expansion capability for desktop builds. The i7-2600S uses 64 KB L1 cache per core and 256 KB L2 cache per core, while the i3-N300 uses 96 KB L1 cache per core and 2 MB L2 cache per module.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-2600S is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture, a 32 nm process from Intel's foundry, with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, utilizing Hyper-Threading to double its thread count. The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support is limited to DDR3 with a dual-channel bus. The integrated graphics are Intel HD 2000. The socket is Intel Socket 1155, and the part number is SR00E. The i7-2600S was released on January 8, 2011, and is now end-of-life. It is a desktop market segment processor with a 65-watt TDP. The multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking.

The Intel Core i3-N300 uses the Gracemont architecture, which is part of the Alder Lake-N generation, built on a 10 nm process. It has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no Hyper-Threading. The cache layout differs significantly: 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per module, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5, but the memory bus is single-channel, with a recorded bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770, a more modern GPU. The socket is Intel BGA 1264, which is a soldered mobile socket. The part number is SRMDS. The i3-N300 was released on January 2, 2023, and remains in active production. It is a mobile market segment processor with a 7-watt TDP, which is drastically lower than the i7-2600S's 65 watts. The multiplier is also locked. The base clock for the i3-N300 is recorded as 100.00 GHz, which is an unusual figure in the database, but the boost clock is 3.70 GHz, close to the i7-2600S's 3.80 GHz.

The transistor count and die size for the i3-N300 are not recorded in the database, which limits direct comparison of physical characteristics. The i7-2600S's 32 nm process and 1,160 million transistors reflect an older manufacturing era, while the i3-N300's 10 nm process suggests a more advanced node. The i3-N300's L2 cache is organized per module at 2 MB, which is a different structure from the i7-2600S's per-core 256 KB L2. The L3 cache is smaller on the i3-N300 at 6 MB shared versus 8 MB shared. PCIe lane counts also differ: the i7-2600S provides 16 Gen 3 lanes, while the i3-N300 provides 9 Gen 3 lanes. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The i7-2600S has a dual-channel memory bus, while the i3-N300 has a single-channel bus, which may impact memory-intensive workloads despite the i3-N300's newer memory types.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S has an average benchmark score of 1146, while the Intel Core i3-N300 has an average score of 1135. The i7-2600S is 11 points higher, which is less than a 1% difference.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-N300 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The i7-2600S uses Hyper-Threading, while the i3-N300 does not.

Q: Which CPU wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 3933, compared to the Intel Core i3-N300's 2546. This is a 54.5% advantage for the i7-2600S.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core i3-N300 has a TDP of 7 watts. The i3-N300 is significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-N300 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core i7-2600S supports only DDR3 memory. The i3-N300 has a single-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What are the release dates for these CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S was released on January 8, 2011, and is end-of-life. The Intel Core i3-N300 was released on January 2, 2023, and remains in active production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data reveals a complex performance relationship. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core i3-N300 scores 416 points against the Intel Core i7-2600S's 396 points, resulting in a 4.8% delta in favor of the i3-N300. This is the closest margin in the entire set. The i3-N300's 8 cores appear to provide a modest edge in this older rendering test, despite the i7-2600S's 8 threads. Moving to Cinebench R15 single-core, the gap widens dramatically: the i3-N300 scores 85 points versus 55 points for the i7-2600S, a 35.3% advantage. This single-core result highlights the architectural efficiency of the Gracemont cores compared to the aging Sandy Bridge design.

The Cinebench R20 results amplify the i3-N300's dominance. In multi-core, the i3-N300 scores 2849 points against the i7-2600S's 1651 points, a 42% margin. In single-core, the i3-N300 scores 401 points versus 233 points, a 41.9% margin. These are the largest deltas favoring the i3-N300, indicating that the newer architecture handles the R20 workload substantially better across both thread counts. The i3-N300's higher base clock (recorded as 100.00 GHz in the database) and 8 physical cores likely contribute to this performance, though the i7-2600S has a slightly higher boost clock at 3.80 GHz versus 3.70 GHz.

The Cinebench R23 results reverse the trend. In multi-core, the i7-2600S scores 3933 points, beating the i3-N300's 2546 points by 54.5%. This is the single largest winning margin in the comparison. The i7-2600S's 8 MB shared L3 cache and 8 threads appear to be decisive in this specific test, despite the i3-N300's newer architecture. In single-core, the i7-2600S also wins, scoring 555 points against 513 points for the i3-N300, an 8.2% advantage. This single-core win is notable because the i3-N300 had won the previous single-core tests by wide margins. The R23 single-core result suggests that the i7-2600S's 3.80 GHz boost clock and larger cache provide a specific advantage in this workload.

Overall, the i3-N300 wins 4 benchmarks, while the i7-2600S wins 2. The average benchmark scores place them nearly equal, with the i7-2600S at 1146 and the i3-N300 at 1135. The nearest rivals for the i7-2600S include the AMD Opteron 4284 at 1146 (0% delta), the Intel Core i7-3612QE at 1147 (-0.1% delta), the AMD Opteron 4332 HE at 1144 (0.2% delta), and the Intel Core i5-4430 at 1149 (-0.3% delta). The nearest rivals for the i3-N300 include the Intel Core i5-3570T at 1136 (-0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-2550K at 1136 (-0.1% delta), the Intel Xeon E5640 at 1137 (-0.1% delta), and the AMD Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE at 1138 (-0.3% delta). Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, confirming they are mid-range performers despite their generational differences.