Intel Core i5-4590T vs Intel Core i7-2600 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600 records an average benchmark score of 1370, while the Intel Core i5-4590T sits at 1340. The i7-2600 also edges out the i5-4590T in the database percentile ranking, though both land at the 36th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: The i7-2600 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 455 versus 347 for the i5-4590T, a 23.7% advantage. In Cinebench R20, the margin is 1897 versus 1446, and in R23 the i7-2600 posts 4519 against 3445, both at a 23.8% lead.

Q: Does the i5-4590T win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the i5-4590T wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 911 in single-core versus 712 for the i7-2600, a 27.9% advantage. In multi-core Geekbench, it scores 2540 versus 2409, a 5.4% lead.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-4590T has 4 cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i7-2600 also has 4 cores but supports 8 threads, effectively doubling the thread count.

Q: Which processor has a lower thermal design power?

A: The i5-4590T has a TDP of 35 watts, making it substantially more power-efficient than the i7-2600, which has a TDP of 95 watts.

Q: What integrated graphics do these processors include?

A: The i5-4590T includes Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the i7-2600 includes Intel HD 2000 graphics. The i5-4590T also has a smaller process node at 22 nm versus 32 nm for the i7-2600.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different generations of Intel core architecture. The i5-4590T is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, while the i7-2600 is a Sandy Bridge part on a 32 nm process. This process advantage gives the Haswell chip a smaller die size of 177 mm² versus 216 mm² for the Sandy Bridge chip, despite the i5-4590T packing more transistors at 1,400 million compared to 1,160 million.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i7-2600 has a larger shared L3 cache at 8 MB, while the i5-4590T offers 6 MB. This difference could impact workloads that rely on repeated data access across cores.

The i7-2600 supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i5-4590T is limited to 4 threads. This is a significant architectural distinction, as the i7-2600 can process two threads per core, potentially improving throughput in heavily threaded applications.

Clock speeds also differ substantially. The i7-2600 runs at a base clock of 3.40 GHz with a boost to 3.80 GHz. The i5-4590T has a much lower base clock of 2.00 GHz but boosts to 3.00 GHz. These frequency differences partially explain why the i7-2600 dominates in Cinebench tests.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-4590T ships with Intel HD 4600, a more modern iGPU, while the i7-2600 has Intel HD 2000. Memory support is identical in type (DDR3, dual-channel), but the i5-4590T has a specified memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, whereas the i7-2600 does not have a listed bandwidth figure.

Both processors use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), support non-ECC memory, and are locked (multiplier not unlocked). The i5-4590T has a launch MSRP of $192, while the i7-2600 has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split between two very different computing profiles. The Intel Core i7-2600 is the stronger choice for multi-threaded, CPU-intensive workloads. It wins 5 out of 7 head-to-head benchmarks, with decisive margins in all Cinebench tests. The i7-2600 leads by 23.7% to 23.8% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core variants. For rendering, video encoding, or any task that scales with thread count, the i7-2600's 8 threads deliver consistently higher scores.

The Intel Core i5-4590T wins the remaining 2 benchmarks, both in Geekbench. Its single-core score of 911 is 27.9% higher than the i7-2600's 712, and its multi-core score of 2540 beats 2409 by 5.4%. This suggests the Haswell architecture has better per-clock efficiency and IPC, which shows up in Geekbench's workload mix. The i5-4590T also carries a much lower TDP of 35 watts versus 95 watts, making it the better option for power-constrained systems or compact builds.

The choice depends on the workload. For Cinebench-style rendering, the i7-2600 is clearly ahead. For general-purpose computing as measured by Geekbench, the i5-4590T holds the edge. The i7-2600's higher average benchmark score of 1370 versus 1340 indicates a slight overall performance advantage, but the i5-4590T's efficiency and architectural advantages make it a compelling alternative for users prioritizing power consumption or single-thread responsiveness.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4590T | Intel Core i7-2600 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 216 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not specified |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 2000 |

| Release Date | 2014-05-10 | 2011-01-08 |

| Launch MSRP | $192 | Not specified |

| Part Number | SR1S6 | SR00B |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-2600 dominates the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 455 against 347 for the i5-4590T, a 23.7% advantage. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i7-2600 posts 1897 versus 1446, a 23.8% margin. Cinebench R23 shows the same gap: 4519 for the i7-2600 against 3445, again 23.8%. Even in single-core Cinebench, where the i5-4590T's newer architecture might be expected to help, the i7-2600 wins. In R20 single-core, it scores 267 versus 204, a 23.6% lead, and in R23 single-core, 638 versus 486, a 23.8% margin. These results indicate the i7-2600's higher clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost) outweigh any IPC gains from the Haswell architecture in Cinebench workloads.

The i5-4590T fights back in Geekbench. Its single-core score of 911 crushes the i7-2600's 712, a 27.9% improvement. This is the largest delta across all benchmarks. In multi-core Geekbench, the i5-4590T scores 2540 versus 2409, a 5.4% win. The Geekbench results suggest the Haswell architecture's instruction-level efficiency translates into real gains in workloads that Geekbench measures, particularly in single-threaded performance.

The overall head-to-head tally stands at 5 wins for the i7-2600 and 2 wins for the i5-4590T. The i7-2600's wins are larger in magnitude for Cinebench, but the i5-4590T's single-core Geekbench win is the most dramatic difference at 27.9%.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-2600 wins in rendering and multi-threaded compute. All three Cinebench multi-core tests go to the i7-2600 with consistent 23.7% to 23.8% margins. The 8 threads and higher clock speeds give it a decisive advantage in workloads that parallelize well. It also wins single-core Cinebench, meaning it is faster even in lightly threaded rendering tasks. For users running Cinebench, Blender, or similar rendering engines, the i7-2600 is the clear pick. Its higher average benchmark score of 1370 also makes it the safer choice for mixed workloads.

Intel Core i5-4590T wins in Geekbench-style workloads and efficiency. The 27.9% single-core lead in Geekbench is substantial, indicating that the Haswell architecture handles Geekbench's single-threaded tasks much more efficiently. The 5.4% multi-core win in Geekbench shows it can also hold its own in multi-threaded scenarios that do not rely on the same scaling patterns as Cinebench. Additionally, the 35-watt TDP versus 95 watts makes the i5-4590T far more suitable for systems where power consumption, heat output, or cooling capacity is a concern. The smaller 22 nm process node and larger transistor count (1,400 million versus 1,160 million) point to a more modern, efficient design.

The database record suggests a workload-dependent decision. The i7-2600 is the higher-performing chip on average, but the i5-4590T wins where architectural efficiency matters most. The Geekbench results indicate the i5-4590T may feel snappier in everyday desktop tasks, while the i7-2600 excels in prolonged, fully threaded workloads. The 36th percentile ranking for both chips places them similarly among all CPUs, reinforcing that neither is a top-tier performer today, but each has distinct strengths.