Intel Core i5-4670 vs Intel Core i7-2600 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-2600 and Intel Core i5-4670 represent two distinct eras of Intel desktop engineering. The i7-2600, a Sandy Bridge part from early 2011, brought hyper-threading to the mainstream LGA 1155 platform. The i5-4670, a Haswell chip from mid-2013, dropped hyper-threading but improved the core architecture and integrated graphics. Both CPUs share identical base and boost clock speeds, but the benchmark data shows a clear pattern: the newer i5-4670 wins every recorded test, though by a narrow margin. This analysis breaks down the head-to-head results, architectural differences, and which processor suits specific workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded Cinebench results show a consistent, albeit small, advantage for the Intel Core i5-4670 across all six tests. Starting with Cinebench R15, the i5-4670 scores 469 in multi-core versus 455 for the i7-2600, a 3 percent lead. In the single-core R15 test, the i5-4670 scores 66 against 64, again 3 percent ahead. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20: multi-core scores are 1957 for the i5-4670 and 1897 for the i7-2600, a 3.1 percent gap, while single-core results are 275 versus 267, a 2.9 percent lead.

Moving to Cinebench R23, the most demanding workload in the dataset, the i5-4670 scores 4660 in multi-core, beating the i7-2600’s 4519 by 3 percent. The single-core R23 test shows 657 for the i5-4670 and 638 for the i7-2600, a 2.9 percent difference. Across all six benchmarks, the i5-4670 wins every single test. The largest advantage is 3.1 percent in Cinebench R20 multi-core, while the smallest is 2.9 percent in both R20 and R23 single-core tests.

What is remarkable is that the i7-2600 has double the thread count (8 threads versus 4), yet it still loses in multi-core workloads. This indicates that the Haswell architecture’s per-core efficiency and IPC improvements more than compensate for the lack of hyper-threading. The i7-2600’s average benchmark score sits at 1370, while the i5-4670 averages 1347, meaning the older chip actually holds a slight edge in the overall average across all database tests, even though it loses every head-to-head Cinebench test. This discrepancy suggests that the i7-2600 performs relatively better in other benchmark suites not listed here, but within the Cinebench family, the i5-4670 is unequivocally faster.

Both CPUs rank at the 36th percentile among all processors in the database, placing them in the same performance tier. The nearest rivals for the i7-2600 include the AMD Opteron 6376 with an identical average score of 1370, and the Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 at 1368 (0.1 percent behind). The i5-4670’s closest rivals include the Intel Core i5-7400T at 1348 (0.1 percent ahead) and the Intel Xeon W-2104 at 1350 (0.2 percent ahead). These figures reinforce that both chips are statistically tied in overall performance, with the head-to-head Cinebench results being the only place where the i5-4670 demonstrates a clear, if modest, superiority.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Core i5-4670 is the faster processor in every benchmark where the two are directly compared. The 3 percent average lead in Cinebench tests means that for users running these specific workloads, the i5-4670 delivers measurably better results. The i7-2600’s hyper-threading does not help it win a single test, even in multi-core scenarios where extra threads typically provide an advantage. This is a decisive outcome: the newer architecture wins outright.

However, the choice is not purely about raw speed. The i7-2600 has 8 threads versus 4, which can benefit applications that scale well with threading but are not represented in the Cinebench suite. The i5-4670 has a lower TDP of 84 watts versus 95 watts, making it more power-efficient under load. For a builder choosing between these two on the used market, the i5-4670 is the better pick for Cinebench-style rendering and general desktop tasks. The i7-2600 remains relevant for workloads that exploit hyper-threading, but the recorded data does not show any such advantage in the tested benchmarks.

The i5-4670 also has a more modern integrated GPU, Intel HD 4600, compared to the i7-2600’s Intel HD 2000. This matters for systems without a discrete graphics card. Socket compatibility differs as well: the i7-2600 uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-4670 uses Intel Socket 1150. A user upgrading must ensure their motherboard matches the correct socket. Ultimately, the i5-4670 wins on performance, efficiency, and integrated graphics, making it the recommended choice for most users based on this data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The i7-2600 is built on Sandy Bridge, the second generation of Intel Core processors, while the i5-4670 uses Haswell, the fourth generation. This generational leap explains the performance gap. Sandy Bridge was fabricated on a 32 nm process node, while Haswell moved to 22 nm. The smaller process node allows Haswell to pack more transistors: the i5-4670 has 1,400 million transistors, compared to 1,160 million for the i7-2600. Interestingly, the i5-4670 achieves this higher transistor count on a smaller die, 177 mm² versus 216 mm² for the i7-2600.

Cache configuration also differs. Both CPUs have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache, however, is larger on the i7-2600 at 8 MB, versus 6 MB on the i5-4670. Despite having 2 MB less L3 cache, the i5-4670 still outperforms the i7-2600 in all recorded tests, suggesting that Haswell’s memory controller and prefetching algorithms are more efficient. The i7-2600’s larger cache may help in some workloads, but the Cinebench results do not reflect any such benefit.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. The i7-2600 includes Intel HD 2000, a basic GPU that was adequate for office work and video playback in its era. The i5-4670 features Intel HD 4600, which offers significantly better performance for media acceleration and light gaming. This makes the i5-4670 a more viable option for a build without a dedicated graphics card. Both processors support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, with no ECC support. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 for both, though the i7-2600 lists 16 lanes (CPU only) while the i5-4670 is simply marked Gen 3 without lane specification.

Specification Differences

The most critical specification difference is thread count. The i7-2600 offers 8 threads via hyper-threading, while the i5-4670 is limited to 4 threads. This is the primary reason a user might choose the older chip, as threaded workloads that are not in the Cinebench suite could benefit. Both CPUs have 4 physical cores and identical clock speeds: 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is restricted to bus adjustments.

Power consumption favors the i5-4670. The i5-4670 has a TDP of 84 watts, while the i7-2600 is rated at 95 watts. This 11-watt difference translates to lower heat output and potentially lower electricity costs for the i5-4670. Socket compatibility is a major differentiator: the i7-2600 uses Intel Socket 1155, and the i5-4670 uses Intel Socket 1150. These sockets are not interchangeable, so the motherboard determines which CPU can be installed.

The process node and die size differences were already noted, but they have practical implications. The 22 nm Haswell chip is smaller and more power-efficient than the 32 nm Sandy Bridge part. The i7-2600’s release date is January 8, 2011, while the i5-4670 arrived on June 1, 2013, a gap of roughly two and a half years. The i7-2600 is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-4670 has no production status listed. Part numbers are SR00B for the i7-2600 and SR14D for the i5-4670.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4670 wins every single-core test. In Cinebench R15, it scores 66 versus 64 for the i7-2600, a 3 percent lead. In R20, it scores 275 versus 267 (2.9 percent ahead), and in R23, it scores 657 versus 638 (2.9 percent ahead).

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

A: No. Despite having 8 threads versus 4, the i7-2600 loses all multi-core Cinebench tests. In R15, it scores 455 against 469 (3 percent behind). In R20, it scores 1897 against 1957 (3.1 percent behind). In R23, it scores 4519 against 4660 (3 percent behind).

Q: Are these two CPUs comparable in overall performance?

A: Yes. Both rank at the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The i7-2600 has an average benchmark score of 1370, while the i5-4670 averages 1347. Their nearest rivals are similarly close, with the i7-2600 matching the AMD Opteron 6376 exactly at 1370.

Q: Which CPU has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4670 has Intel HD 4600, while the i7-2600 has Intel HD 2000. This makes the i5-4670 more suitable for systems relying on integrated graphics for media playback or basic gaming.

Q: Can I use the same motherboard for both CPUs?

A: No. The i7-2600 uses Intel Socket 1155, and the i5-4670 uses Intel Socket 1150. These are different sockets, so each CPU requires a compatible motherboard.

Q: Which CPU consumes less power?

A: The i5-4670 has a TDP of 84 watts, while the i7-2600 is rated at 95 watts. The i5-4670 is more power-efficient, which also means less heat generation.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4670 wins in every direct benchmark comparison. For users running Cinebench R15, R20, or R23, the i5-4670 delivers a consistent 3 percent performance advantage. This makes it the superior choice for rendering tasks, video encoding, and any workload that resembles these multi-threaded tests. The i5-4670 also wins on power efficiency with its 84 watt TDP, and its Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics provide a better experience for systems without a discrete GPU. Its smaller die size and newer 22 nm process node indicate a more modern design.

The Intel Core i7-2600’s advantages are more qualitative. It has 8 threads, which could benefit applications that are highly parallel but are not represented in the Cinebench suite. Its larger 8 MB L3 cache, compared to 6 MB on the i5-4670, might help in cache-sensitive workloads. The i7-2600 also has a higher average benchmark score (1370 versus 1347), suggesting it performs relatively better in other database tests. For users who already own an LGA 1155 motherboard, the i7-2600 is a drop-in upgrade, whereas the i5-4670 requires a new motherboard. However, for a fresh build or a direct choice between the two, the recorded data favors the i5-4670 in every measured category. The i7-2600’s hyper-threading is a theoretical benefit that does not translate into wins in the Cinebench tests, so its use case is limited to specific, unmeasured workloads. In practical terms, the i5-4670 is the better processor for most users, while the i7-2600 remains a viable option only for those leveraging its thread count in non-Cinebench applications.