Intel Core i5-7300HQ vs Intel Core i7-2600K Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7300HQ and Intel Core i7-2600K represent two distinct eras of Intel design, yet their benchmark averages place them nearly side-by-side. The i5-7300HQ posts an average benchmark score of 1448, while the i7-2600K sits at 1433, a gap of less than one percent. However, this overall parity masks a stark split: the older i7-2600K dominates Cinebench tests across the board, while the newer i5-7300HQ wins decisively in Geekbench. The data shows that the i7-2600K is the choice for raw multi-threaded rendering workloads, whereas the i5-7300HQ is superior for tasks that reflect modern single-thread efficiency and memory-sensitive operations. The i7-2600K wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head comparisons, yet the i5-7300HQ’s two victories are by margins of 16.5% and 37%, respectively. For a user prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering, the i7-2600K is clearly ahead; for Geekbench-centric productivity, the i5-7300HQ is the stronger pick. Neither chip is a universal winner, and the decision hinges entirely on the workload profile.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear, workload-dependent verdict. The Intel Core i7-2600K is the superior processor for multi-threaded rendering, leading the i5-7300HQ by 7.5% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 7.3% in R20 multicore, and 7.3% in R23 multicore. Its advantage in single-core Cinebench is nearly identical, with margins of 7.6% in R15 and 7.3% in both R20 and R23. If your primary use case involves Cinebench-class rendering, the i7-2600K is the definitive choice. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-7300HQ is the winner in Geekbench, posting a 16.5% higher multicore score and a 37% higher single-core score. This suggests a significant architectural efficiency advantage in the newer Kaby Lake design. The i5-7300HQ also offers a lower TDP of 45 watts versus 95 watts, making it the practical choice for mobile or thermally constrained systems. Ultimately, the i7-2600K is for users who need raw Cinebench throughput, while the i5-7300HQ is for those who prioritize Geekbench performance and efficiency. The i7-2600K’s higher launch MSRP of $317 versus $250 reflects its original desktop flagship positioning, but that price difference does not translate into a universal performance lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are separated by six years of architectural evolution. The i5-7300HQ is built on the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-H variant, using a 14 nm process node from Intel. In contrast, the i7-2600K uses the Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process. This process difference is stark: the i5-7300HQ has a die size of 126 mm², while the i7-2600K’s die is 216 mm² and contains 1,160 million transistors. The i5-7300HQ’s smaller die and newer process contribute to its substantially lower TDP of 45 watts, compared to the i7-2600K’s 95 watts. Both processors feature 4 physical cores, but the i7-2600K supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i5-7300HQ is limited to 4 threads. Cache configurations also differ: the i5-7300HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-2600K offers 8 MB of shared L3. The i5-7300HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the i7-2600K is limited to DDR3. The i7-2600K has a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, a figure not provided for the i5-7300HQ. The i5-7300HQ uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i7-2600K uses PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-7300HQ features Intel HD Graphics 630, while the i7-2600K has Intel HD 3000. The i7-2600K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the i5-7300HQ does not. The i5-7300HQ is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1440, while the i7-2600K is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1155.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a consistent pattern of wins for the i7-2600K in Cinebench, countered by i5-7300HQ victories in Geekbench. Starting with Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-2600K scores 469 against the i5-7300HQ’s 434, a 7.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story: 66 for the i7-2600K versus 61 for the i5-7300HQ, a 7.6% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-2600K scores 1955 multicore and 275 single-core, while the i5-7300HQ scores 1812 and 255, respectively; both deltas are 7.3%. Cinebench R23 follows the same trend, with the i7-2600K scoring 4657 multicore and 657 single-core, versus 4316 and 609 for the i5-7300HQ, again a 7.3% delta. These six Cinebench results show a uniform 7.3% to 7.6% advantage for the i7-2600K, regardless of workload intensity or generation of the test. The Geekbench results invert this picture entirely. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-7300HQ scores 3044 versus the i7-2600K’s 2613, a 16.5% lead. The Geekbench single-core test shows an even larger gap: 1052 for the i5-7300HQ versus 768 for the i7-2600K, a 37% advantage. These are not marginal differences; they represent a fundamental shift in performance characteristics. The i7-2600K’s higher clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost) and 8 threads help it in Cinebench, but the i5-7300HQ’s newer architecture and memory support (DDR3 and DDR4) give it a massive edge in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-7300HQ has an average benchmark score of 1448, while the Intel Core i7-2600K scores 1433. The i5-7300HQ is ahead by a margin of approximately 1%.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600K scores 4657 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 7.3% higher than the Intel Core i5-7300HQ’s score of 4316. The i7-2600K wins this test.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i5-7300HQ scores 1052 against the Intel Core i7-2600K’s 768. This represents a 37% advantage for the i5-7300HQ.

Q: Does the i7-2600K have more cores than the i5-7300HQ?

A: No, both have 4 physical cores. However, the i7-2600K supports 8 threads, while the i5-7300HQ supports only 4 threads.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-7300HQ has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Intel Core i7-2600K has a TDP of 95 watts. The i5-7300HQ is significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-7300HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory. The Intel Core i7-2600K supports only DDR3 memory.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2600K is the clear winner in Cinebench-based workloads. Across six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, both multicore and single-core), it maintains a consistent 7.3% to 7.6% lead over the i5-7300HQ. This makes it the better choice for rendering tasks that scale with thread count and clock speed, such as 3D rendering, video encoding, and other CPU-intensive creative applications. The i7-2600K’s 8 threads and higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz give it a structural advantage in these scenarios. It also offers an unlocked multiplier, allowing for manual overclocking to further extend its lead, although the data does not quantify that potential.

The i5-7300HQ wins decisively in Geekbench, with a 16.5% multicore lead and a 37% single-core lead. This suggests superior memory latency handling and per-core efficiency, likely due to its newer 14 nm process and support for DDR4 memory. For tasks that are latency-sensitive or rely on single-thread performance—such as everyday productivity, web browsing, office applications, and older software that does not utilize many threads—the i5-7300HQ is the stronger performer. Its lower TDP of 45 watts also makes it a better fit for laptops and compact systems where thermal headroom is limited. The i5-7300HQ’s integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 is also a generational upgrade over the i7-2600K’s Intel HD 3000, although no specific graphics benchmarks are provided.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The process node is 14 nm for the i5-7300HQ versus 32 nm for the i7-2600K. The die size is 126 mm² for the i5-7300HQ and 216 mm² for the i7-2600K, with the latter containing 1,160 million transistors. Base clocks differ: the i5-7300HQ runs at 2.50 GHz, while the i7-2600K runs at 3.40 GHz. Boost clocks are 3.50 GHz for the i5-7300HQ and 3.80 GHz for the i7-2600K. TDP is a major split: 45 watts versus 95 watts. The socket is Intel BGA 1440 for the i5-7300HQ and Intel Socket 1155 for the i7-2600K. L3 cache is 6 MB shared on the i5-7300HQ and 8 MB shared on the i7-2600K. Memory support is DDR3 and DDR4 for the i5-7300HQ, but only DDR3 for the i7-2600K, which also has a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. PCIe generation is Gen 3 for the i5-7300HQ and Gen 2 for the i7-2600K, both with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are Intel HD Graphics 630 versus Intel HD 3000. The i5-7300HQ is a mobile part, while the i7-2600K is a desktop part. The i7-2600K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-7300HQ does not. The launch MSRP is $250 for the i5-7300HQ and $317 for the i7-2600K.