Intel Core i5-3450 vs Intel Core i7-2600S Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-3450 and Intel Core i7-2600S are two LGA 1155 processors from different generations, and the benchmark data reveals a clear split in their strengths. The i7-2600S wins six of the eight recorded head-to-head tests, including all four Cinebench workloads, while the i5-3450 takes the two Geekbench tests. The i7-2600S leads by a slim 2.3% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (3933 vs 3842) and by 2.6% in Cinebench R20 single-core (233 vs 227). However, the i5-3450 delivers a decisive 17.8% advantage in Geekbench single-core (681 vs 578) and a 12.5% lead in Geekbench multi-core (1985 vs 1765).

For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the i7-2600S is the stronger pick, as its hyper-threading provides eight threads against the i5-3450's four. For users whose workflows align with Geekbench's mixed workload patterns, the i5-3450 is clearly superior, offering a substantial margin in both single and multi-core scenarios. The i5-3450 also benefits from a newer architecture and a 22 nm process node, which contributes to its higher average benchmark score of 1166 against the i7-2600S's 1146. The i7-2600S has a lower TDP of 65 watts compared to 77 watts for the i5-3450, making it a more power-efficient choice for sustained loads. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking headroom is not a differentiator. Ultimately, the choice depends on the target application: the i7-2600S for Cinebench-style threaded rendering, the i5-3450 for Geekbench-style general performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent consecutive Intel architectures on the same socket. The i5-3450 uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node, with a die size of 160 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The i7-2600S uses Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm node, with a larger die of 216 mm² and fewer transistors at 1,160 million. The process shrink gives the i5-3450 a density advantage, but the i7-2600S compensates with more shared cache.

Both processors have four physical cores, but the i7-2600S supports eight threads through hyper-threading, while the i5-3450 handles only four threads. The i7-2600S has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 6 MB on the i5-3450. Per-core L1 and L2 caches are identical: 64 KB and 256 KB respectively. Base clocks differ, with the i5-3450 running at 3.10 GHz and the i7-2600S at 2.80 GHz, but the boost clocks reverse the situation: 3.50 GHz for the i5-3450 and 3.80 GHz for the i7-2600S. The higher boost clock on the i7-2600S helps it in single-threaded Cinebench tests, despite the architectural advantage of the i5-3450.

Memory support is DDR3 dual-channel for both, with the i5-3450 offering a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s; the i7-2600S has no bandwidth figure recorded in the database. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ: the i5-3450 has Intel HD 2500, while the i7-2600S has Intel HD 2000. Both are desktop parts with end-of-life production status, and neither supports ECC memory. The i5-3450 was released on 2012-04-28 with a launch MSRP of $174; the i7-2600S was released earlier on 2011-01-08 with no launch MSRP recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2600S dominates the Cinebench suite, which is a rendering workload that scales well with thread count. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core tests, the i7-2600S wins every time. The margins are consistent, ranging from 1.8% to 2.6%. Its eight threads provide a steady advantage in multi-core rendering, and the higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz helps in single-core tests. This makes the i7-2600S the better choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, and other heavily threaded content creation tasks.

The i5-3450 wins decisively in Geekbench, which is a broader system benchmark that includes memory and integer/floating point tests. The 17.8% single-core lead and 12.5% multi-core lead are substantial, indicating that the Ivy Bridge architecture's IPC improvements over Sandy Bridge are significant in this workload. The i5-3450 also has a higher base clock (3.10 GHz vs 2.80 GHz) and a smaller process node, which may contribute to its Geekbench performance. For everyday desktop tasks, office productivity, and applications that favor newer architecture features, the i5-3450 is the stronger performer.

The TDP difference is also notable: the i7-2600S draws 65 watts while the i5-3450 draws 77 watts. This makes the i7-2600S more suitable for compact systems or lower-power builds, despite being the older architecture. The i5-3450's higher TDP reflects its higher base clock and the Ivy Bridge design's power characteristics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark. The i7-2600S wins Cinebench R15 single-core (55 vs 54), R20 single-core (233 vs 227), and R23 single-core (555 vs 542). The i5-3450 wins Geekbench single-core by a large margin: 681 vs 578, a 17.8% difference.

Q: Does the i7-2600S's hyper-threading help in multi-core tests?

A: Yes, the i7-2600S has eight threads versus four on the i5-3450, and it wins all Cinebench multi-core tests. It leads by 2.3% in Cinebench R15 (396 vs 387), R20 (1651 vs 1613), and R23 (3933 vs 3842).

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-2600S has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the i5-3450 boosts to 3.50 GHz. The i5-3450 has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz versus 2.80 GHz.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: No, both are end-of-life products. The i5-3450 was released on 2012-04-28, and the i7-2600S was released on 2011-01-08.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The i7-2600S has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-3450 has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i7-2600S has a TDP of 65 watts, which is lower than the i5-3450's 77 watts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a consistent pattern across the Cinebench suite, with the i7-2600S winning all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-2600S scores 396 against 387 for the i5-3450, a 2.3% lead. The single-core R15 test is closer: 55 vs 54, a 1.8% margin. Cinebench R20 shows the same multi-core delta of 2.3% (1651 vs 1613) and a slightly larger single-core gap of 2.6% (233 vs 227). Cinebench R23 repeats the multi-core 2.3% delta (3933 vs 3842) and the single-core 2.3% delta (555 vs 542). These margins are small but consistent, suggesting that the i7-2600S's hyper-threading and higher boost clock give it a reliable edge in Cinebench-style workloads.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-3450 scores 1985 against 1765 for the i7-2600S, a 12.5% win. The single-core test is even more lopsided: 681 vs 578, a 17.8% advantage for the i5-3450. These are the largest deltas in the entire comparison, and they indicate that the Ivy Bridge architecture's efficiency and IPC improvements are far more impactful in Geekbench's workload mix than the i7-2600S's extra threads.

The average benchmark scores confirm the overall picture: the i5-3450 averages 1166 across all recorded benchmarks, while the i7-2600S averages 1146. The i5-3450 sits at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs, one point above the i7-2600S at the 32nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the i5-3450 include the AMD Opteron 6220 at 1168 (a 0.2% gap) and the Intel Core i5-3570S at 1169 (also 0.2%), showing how tightly clustered these mid-range CPUs are. The i7-2600S's nearest rival is the AMD Opteron 4284 at 1146, a perfect 0% delta, with the Intel Core i5-4430 at 1149 just 0.3% behind. This data shows that both processors are competitive within their performance tier, but the i5-3450 has a slight edge in average score and a much stronger Geekbench showing.