Intel Core i5-7400T vs Intel Core i7-2600 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in the database?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600 wins 6 of the 8 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core i5-7400T wins the remaining 2 tests, which are both Geekbench measurements.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600 has an average benchmark score of 1370, while the Intel Core i5-7400T has an average score of 1348. That places the i7-2600 about 1.6% higher in the database’s aggregate metric.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i7-2600 scores 4519, while the Intel Core i5-7400T scores 3981. That is a 13.5% advantage for the i7-2600.

Q: Does the newer i5-7400T beat the older i7-2600 in any single-core test?

A: No. In every recorded single-core benchmark, the i7-2600 leads. For example, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-2600 scores 638 versus 562 for the i5-7400T, a 13.5% margin.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the i5-7400T, and does the i7-2600 have a listed bandwidth?

A: The i5-7400T has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i7-2600 does not have a memory bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600 has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, compared to 3.00 GHz for the Intel Core i5-7400T.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and process nodes. The Intel Core i7-2600 is built on Sandy Bridge, using a 32 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-7400T is built on Kaby Lake, using a 14 nm process. The die size for the i7-2600 is 216 mm², and the transistor count is 1,160 million. The i5-7400T has no recorded die size or transistor count in the database.

The i7-2600 uses the Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-7400T uses the Intel Socket 1151. This means they are not socket-compatible, and any upgrade between them would require a different motherboard. The i7-2600 supports DDR3 memory, whereas the i5-7400T supports DDR4 memory. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the i5-7400T has a specified memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Cache layouts differ as well. Both 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, compared to 6 MB on the i5-7400T. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers, so overclocking is not an option for either.

The integrated graphics differ. The i7-2600 includes Intel HD 2000, while the i5-7400T includes HD 630. Both are desktop parts, but the i7-2600 is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-7400T is marked as active in production. The i7-2600 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-7400T has 4 cores and 4 threads. Hyper-threading is present only on the i7-2600.

PCIe support is identical in terms of generation and lane count: both are Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The release dates are far apart, with the i7-2600 released on 2011-01-08 and the i5-7400T on 2017-01-02.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits the two processors into distinct roles. The Intel Core i7-2600 dominates the Cinebench suite, which is a rendering workload that scales with both cores and threads. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the i7-2600 wins every multi-core and single-core test. The multi-core wins are consistent at 13.5% in each version: R15 scores 455 versus 401, R20 scores 1897 versus 1672, and R23 scores 4519 versus 3981. Single-core Cinebench wins range from 13.1% to 14.3%. This indicates that the i7-2600’s higher clock speeds and hyper-threading give it a clear edge in threaded rendering tasks.

The Intel Core i5-7400T wins both Geekbench tests. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 2864 versus 2409 for the i7-2600, a 15.9% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1014 versus 712, a 29.8% advantage. Geekbench is a broader workload mix that includes memory, encryption, and integer and floating point tasks. The newer Kaby Lake architecture appears to be more efficient in these specific tests, despite lower clock speeds and fewer threads.

The practical takeaway is that the i7-2600 is better suited for sustained multi-threaded rendering or any workload similar to Cinebench. The i5-7400T is better suited for general desktop tasks, everyday application responsiveness, or any workload that resembles Geekbench’s mix. The i5-7400T also has a much lower TDP of 35 watts, compared to 95 watts for the i7-2600, which points to lower power draw and heat output, though the database does not record actual power consumption figures.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several core specifications. The i7-2600 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i5-7400T has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The i7-2600 has twice the thread count, 8 threads versus 4 threads, while both have 4 cores.

The process node is 32 nm for the i7-2600 and 14 nm for the i5-7400T. The i7-2600’s die size is 216 mm², and it contains 1,160 million transistors. No die size or transistor count is recorded for the i5-7400T. The L3 cache is 8 MB on the i7-2600 and 6 MB on the i5-7400T; L1 and L2 caches are identical per core.

Memory support differs: the i7-2600 uses DDR3, while the i5-7400T uses DDR4. The i5-7400T has a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-2600 has no recorded bandwidth. Both use dual-channel memory. Socket types are different: Socket 1155 for the i7-2600, Socket 1151 for the i5-7400T.

The integrated graphics are different: Intel HD 2000 on the i7-2600 versus HD 630 on the i5-7400T. Both have Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes. TDP is 95 watts for the i7-2600 and 35 watts for the i5-7400T. The i7-2600 is end-of-life, the i5-7400T is active. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The part numbers are SR00B for the i7-2600 and SR332 for the i5-7400T.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records eight benchmark comparisons between the Intel Core i7-2600 and the Intel Core i5-7400T. The i7-2600 wins six of them, all in the Cinebench suite. The largest Cinebench win for the i7-2600 is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 64 against 56, a 14.3% difference. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 455 against 401, a 13.5% difference.

In Cinebench R20, the i7-2600 scores 1897 in multi-core versus 1672, a 13.5% difference. In single-core, it scores 267 versus 236, a 13.1% difference. Cinebench R23 shows the same 13.5% multi-core margin: 4519 versus 3981. Single-core R23 has a 13.5% difference as well: 638 versus 562.

The i5-7400T wins both Geekbench tests. The larger win is in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1014 versus 712 for the i7-2600, a 29.8% advantage. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 2864 versus 2409, a 15.9% advantage.

These results are not contradictory when you consider the workloads. The Cinebench tests are heavily threaded and depend on raw clock speed and thread count, both of which favor the i7-2600. Geekbench includes a wider set of operations, and the i5-7400T’s newer Kaby Lake architecture appears to handle those better, even at lower clocks.

The average benchmark score in the database is 1370 for the i7-2600 and 1348 for the i5-7400T. That puts the i7-2600 slightly higher overall, but both CPUs sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the i7-2600 include the AMD Opteron 6376 with an equal average score of 1370, the Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 at 1368 with a 0.1% difference, and the Intel Xeon D-1521 at 1367 with a 0.2% difference. The nearest rivals for the i5-7400T include the Intel Core i5-4670 at 1347 with a 0% difference, the Intel Xeon W-2104 at 1350 with a -0.1% difference, and the Intel Core i5-4590T at 1340 with a 0.6% difference.

The Verdict

The data points to two different buyers. The Intel Core i7-2600 is the choice for anyone whose work involves heavy multi-threaded rendering or encoding. It wins every Cinebench test by a consistent 13.1% to 14.3% margin, and its 8 threads give it a structural advantage in parallel workloads. The higher base and boost clocks, 3.40 GHz and 3.80 GHz, also help in single-threaded Cinebench tests, where it still beats the i5-7400T despite the latter being six years newer.

The Intel Core i5-7400T is the choice for users who prioritize lower power consumption and who run a mix of everyday applications. Its 35 watt TDP is far lower than the i7-2600’s 95 watts. It also wins both Geekbench tests, including a 29.8% margin in single-core performance. For general desktop responsiveness, web browsing, office work, or light productivity, the i5-7400T is the better fit.

There is no outright winner across all metrics. The i7-2600 has the higher average benchmark score, 1370 versus 1348, and wins more tests overall. But the i5-7400T’s wins are in a different workload category, and its newer architecture, lower power draw, and DDR4 support make it more practical for a modern low-power build. The i7-2600 is a legacy part with a larger cache and hyper-threading, but it requires an older platform. The i5-7400T is current, active in production, and offers a better balance for users who do not need maximum multi-threaded rendering performance.