Intel Core i5-5575R vs Intel Core i7-2600K Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-2600K is the stronger choice for traditional CPU-heavy rendering workloads, winning six of the eight head-to-head tests, all in Cinebench. It leads by roughly 7% across the R15, R20, and R23 multi-core and single-core tests, thanks to its 8 threads and higher clock speeds. The Intel Core i5-5575R, however, is the pick for general system responsiveness and single-threaded integer work as measured by Geekbench, where it wins by 24.3% in multi-core and 39.6% in single-core. The i7-2600K is also the last of its kind with an unlocked multiplier, making it the enthusiast choice, while the i5-5575R is a locked, soldered part with a more modern integrated GPU. Users who need maximum Cinebench throughput should choose the i7-2600K; users who prioritize Geekbench performance and a newer iGPU should choose the i5-5575R.

Architecture Differences

These two processors represent very different design eras. The Intel Core i7-2600K is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-5575R uses the Broadwell architecture on a 14 nm node. The i7-2600K packs 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die, whereas the i5-5575R has a smaller 182 mm² die, though the database does not list its transistor count.

Core counts are identical at four, but threading differs: the i7-2600K supports 8 threads, the i5-5575R only 4. This is the central architectural gap and explains the Cinebench results. The i7-2600K also has a larger shared L3 cache at 8 MB versus 4 MB on the i5-5575R. Both share 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The i7-2600K runs at a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boosts to 3.80 GHz, while the i5-5575R runs at 2.80 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The i7-2600K carries a 95 W TDP, the i5-5575R a 65 W TDP.

Memory support is DDR3 dual-channel for both, but the i5-5575R has a higher memory bandwidth at 29.9 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s. PCIe generations differ: the i5-5575R uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes, the i7-2600K uses Gen 2 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ sharply: the i5-5575R includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the i7-2600K has Intel HD 3000. The i5-5575R is socketed as Intel BGA 1364, meaning it is soldered, while the i7-2600K uses Intel Socket 1155. The i7-2600K has an unlocked multiplier; the i5-5575R does not.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2600K wins every Cinebench test in the comparison set. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 469 versus 435, a 7.2% advantage. In R15 single-core, it scores 66 versus 61, a 7.6% lead. The pattern repeats in R20 multi-core (1955 vs 1816, 7.1% ahead), R20 single-core (275 vs 256, 6.9% ahead), R23 multi-core (4657 vs 4324, 7.2% ahead), and R23 single-core (657 vs 610, 7.2% ahead). These are consistent wins across both multi-threaded and single-threaded Cinebench workloads, indicating that the combination of 8 threads and higher clocks matters more than the newer architecture in this rendering engine.

The i5-5575R wins both Geekbench tests decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 3247 versus 2613, a 24.3% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1072 versus 768, a 39.6% lead. These are much larger margins than the i7-2600K's Cinebench wins, suggesting that the Broadwell architecture and its higher memory bandwidth provide a substantial advantage in the tasks Geekbench measures. The i5-5575R also has a newer integrated GPU, Iris Pro Graphics 6200, versus the older Intel HD 3000, which matters for systems relying on the iGPU.

The i7-2600K is the better processor for users running Cinebench-style rendering or multi-threaded workloads that scale with thread count. The i5-5575R is the better processor for users whose workloads resemble Geekbench's mix of integer, floating-point, and memory tests, and for those who want a newer iGPU with lower TDP.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600K has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-5575R has 4 threads. Both have 4 cores.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600K wins with a score of 4657, versus 4324 for the Intel Core i5-5575R, a 7.2% advantage.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench single-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-5575R wins with a score of 1072, versus 768 for the Intel Core i7-2600K, a 39.6% lead.

Q: Are both CPUs compatible with DDR3 memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode. The i5-5575R has a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i7-2600K has 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600K has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i5-5575R does not.

Q: What is the production status of each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i5-5575R is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i7-2600K is listed as End-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear split between two benchmark families. The i7-2600K wins all six Cinebench tests, and the i5-5575R wins both Geekbench tests.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-2600K scores 469 against 435, a 7.2% margin. The single-core test is similar: 66 against 61, a 7.6% margin. These are the closest margins in the entire comparison, yet they are consistent across all Cinebench versions. Cinebench R20 multi-core sees 1955 versus 1816, a 7.1% difference, and R20 single-core sees 275 versus 256, a 6.9% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 4657 versus 4324, a 7.2% difference, and R23 single-core shows 657 versus 610, a 7.2% difference. The consistency of the 7% delta across every Cinebench version strongly indicates that the i7-2600K's 8 threads and higher boost clock are the decisive factors in this engine.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-5575R scores 3247 versus 2613, a 24.3% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1072 versus 768, a 39.6% advantage. These margins are far larger than any Cinebench delta, and they show that the Broadwell architecture, despite having fewer threads and lower clocks, is substantially more efficient in Geekbench's workload mix. The i5-5575R also has higher memory bandwidth (29.9 GB/s vs 25.6 GB/s), which may contribute to its Geekbench success.

When interpreting the overall average benchmark score, the i5-5575R has an average score of 1478, placing it in the 38th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-2600K has an average score of 1433, placing it in the 37th percentile. The i5-5575R sits within 0.4% of the Intel Core i5-7500T and 0.4% of the Intel Core i7-4710HQ in its nearest rival group. The i7-2600K sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-4712HQ and 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G. These percentile and rival comparisons show that both CPUs are near the same overall performance tier, despite their divergent benchmark results.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Core i5-5575R and the Intel Core i7-2600K:

| Specification | Intel Core i5-5575R | Intel Core i7-2600K |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Sandy Bridge |

| Codename | Broadwell | Sandy Bridge |

| Process node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,160 million |

| Die size | 182 mm² | 216 mm² |

| L3 cache | 4 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Pro Graphics 6200 | Intel HD 3000 |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2015-05-14 | 2011-01-08 |

| Launch MSRP | $265 | $317 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SR2AK | SR00C |

Both CPUs share 4 cores, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, and no ECC memory support. The i7-2600K was released earlier and has a higher launch MSRP of $317, while the i5-5575R launched at $265. The i5-5575R remains in active production, while the i7-2600K is end-of-life.