Intel Core i7-2600 vs Intel Core i7-3740QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3740QM and the Intel Core i7-2600 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors from Intel, but they target different platforms and generations. The data shows a clear split: the mobile i7-3740QM dominates in Cinebench rendering tests, while the desktop i7-2600 takes a decisive lead in Geekbench. This head-to-head analysis relies entirely on the benchmark scores and architectural details provided, offering a methodical look at where each chip excels.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are heavily skewed by workload type. The i7-3740QM wins six of the eight recorded tests, all of which are from the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3740QM scores 489 against the i7-2600’s 455, a 7.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar margin: 69 versus 64, a 7.8% lead for the mobile part. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i7-3740QM posts 2040 multicore and 288 single-core scores, compared to 1897 and 267 for the i7-2600, yielding deltas of 7.5% and 7.9%, respectively. The R23 results continue the trend: 4859 versus 4519 in multicore and 686 versus 638 in single-core, both with a 7.5% delta favoring the i7-3740QM.

These consistent Cinebench wins suggest the i7-3740QM’s newer Ivy Bridge architecture provides a tangible efficiency and IPC advantage in rendering workloads, despite its lower base and boost clocks. The i7-2600’s higher clock speeds — 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost versus 2.70 GHz and 3.70 GHz — are not enough to overcome the architectural deficit in these tests. The data indicates that the i7-3740QM delivers roughly 7.5% to 7.9% more performance across all Cinebench versions, which is a significant margin for a mobile chip competing against a desktop part.

However, the story flips completely in Geekbench. The i7-2600 wins both multicore and single-core tests by large margins. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-2600 scores 2409 against the i7-3740QM’s 1993, a 17.3% difference. The single-core test shows the i7-2600 at 712 versus 599, a 15.9% lead. These deltas are more than double the Cinebench margins, indicating that Geekbench’s workload favors the i7-2600’s higher clock speeds and larger L3 cache. The i7-2600 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache compared to 6 MB on the i7-3740QM, and its 3.80 GHz boost clock is 0.10 GHz higher. These factors likely contribute to its Geekbench dominance, even though the i7-3740QM has a smaller 22 nm process node versus the i7-2600’s 32 nm node.

The average benchmark scores reflect this split: the i7-3740QM averages 1378 points while the i7-2600 averages 1370, a negligible difference of 0.6%. Both processors sit at the 36th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they perform similarly overall despite their contrasting strengths. The nearest rivals for the i7-3740QM include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 1200 at 1379 (0% delta) and the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 at 1376 (0.2% delta), while the i7-2600’s rivals include the AMD Opteron 6376 at 1370 (0% delta) and the Intel Xeon E5-1410 v2 at 1368 (0.1% delta). This places both chips in the same performance tier on average, but the workload-specific results show they are not interchangeable.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on intended use. The Intel Core i7-3740QM is the better processor for rendering and multi-threaded creative workloads, as evidenced by its consistent 7.5% to 7.9% wins across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests. Its 4 cores and 8 threads are sufficient for these tasks, and its Ivy Bridge architecture appears better optimized for them. Users running Cinebench-style rendering, video encoding, or 3D modeling would see measurable gains with the i7-3740QM.

On the other hand, the Intel Core i7-2600 is the stronger choice for Geekbench-type workloads, which often reflect general system responsiveness, office productivity, and legacy application performance. Its 17.3% multicore and 15.9% single-core leads in Geekbench are substantial. The i7-2600’s higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz, combined with its 8 MB L3 cache, give it an edge in latency-sensitive tasks that do not scale as well with architectural improvements.

For a neutral recommendation: if the priority is Cinebench or similar rendering benchmarks, the i7-3740QM is the clear winner. If the priority is Geekbench or general desktop responsiveness, the i7-2600 dominates. Given the i7-3740QM wins 6 out of 8 tests, it has the broader lead in raw test count, but the i7-2600’s Geekbench margins are much larger in percentage terms. The choice hinges entirely on which benchmark suite aligns with the user’s actual applications.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-3740QM — Cinebench Rendering Suite: This processor wins all six Cinebench tests, with deltas ranging from 7.5% to 7.9%. Its architecture is clearly better suited to long-running, multi-threaded render tasks. The R15 multicore win (489 vs 455) and R23 multicore win (4859 vs 4519) are particularly notable, showing that the advantage persists across different versions of the same workload. For users who rely on Cinebench as a proxy for 3D rendering, animation, or visual effects work, the i7-3740QM is the superior part.

Intel Core i7-2600 — Geekbench General Performance: The i7-2600 wins both Geekbench tests with much larger margins than the i7-3740QM’s Cinebench wins. The 17.3% multicore delta and 15.9% single-core delta are decisive. This suggests the i7-2600 excels in mixed, short-duration workloads that test memory latency and clock speed. Its 8 MB L3 cache and higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz likely play a role. For general computing, web browsing, office applications, and software compilation that Geekbench approximates, the i7-2600 is the better performer.

The split is stark: the i7-3740QM is a rendering specialist, while the i7-2600 is a generalist with higher peak clock performance. Neither chip is a clear overall winner, as their average scores are nearly identical (1378 vs 1370), but each has a distinct domain of superiority.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more wins in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-3740QM wins 6 out of 8 tests, all from the Cinebench suite. The Intel Core i7-2600 wins the remaining 2 tests, both from Geekbench.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any single test?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench multicore, where the Intel Core i7-2600 scores 2409 versus 1993 for the i7-3740QM, a 17.3% difference. The single-core Geekbench test shows a 15.9% gap in favor of the i7-2600.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-3740QM has an average benchmark score of 1378, while the i7-2600 averages 1370. This is a 0.6% difference, placing both processors at the 36th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600 has a higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz, compared to 3.70 GHz for the i7-3740QM. The i7-2600 also has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 2.70 GHz.

Q: What are the cache differences between the two?

A: Both processors have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The i7-2600 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-3740QM has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a smaller process node?

A: The Intel Core i7-3740QM uses a 22 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-2600 uses a 32 nm node. The i7-3740QM also has 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, compared to 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die for the i7-2600.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures. The i7-3740QM is based on Ivy Bridge, while the i7-2600 is based on Sandy Bridge. This architectural gap is the primary reason for their divergent benchmark results. Ivy Bridge is a die shrink of Sandy Bridge, moving from a 32 nm process node to a 22 nm node. The i7-3740QM packs 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, whereas the i7-2600 has 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die. The smaller process node and higher transistor density of Ivy Bridge contribute to its efficiency gains in Cinebench, even at lower clock speeds.

The i7-3740QM features integrated graphics in the form of Intel HD 4000, while the i7-2600 uses Intel HD 2000. Both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads, with identical L1 and L2 cache structures. However, the L3 cache differs: 6 MB shared on the i7-3740QM versus 8 MB shared on the i7-2600. This larger cache on the older desktop chip likely helps its Geekbench performance. The i7-3740QM is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1224 socket, while the i7-2600 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1155. The i7-2600 also supports DDR3 memory, whereas memory support is not specified for the i7-3740QM in the data.

Both processors lack ECC memory support and have locked multipliers. The i7-2600 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while PCIe information is not provided for the i7-3740QM. The i7-2600 has a production status of End-of-life, while the i7-3740QM’s status is not listed. These architectural and platform differences explain why the mobile chip excels in rendering while the desktop chip wins in general-purpose tests.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the provided data.

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3740QM | Intel Core i7-2600 |

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

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1224 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Sandy Bridge |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Sandy Bridge |

| Generation | Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) | Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

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

| Die Size | 160 mm² | 216 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | Not specified | DDR3 |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | Intel HD 2000 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Not specified | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2012-09-02 | 2011-01-08 |

| Part Number | Not specified | SR00B |

The i7-3740QM has significantly lower TDP at 45 W versus 95 W, reflecting its mobile design. The i7-2600 has higher clock speeds, more L3 cache, and DDR3 memory support. The i7-3740QM counters with a smaller process node, newer architecture, and a different integrated GPU. Both have 4 cores, 8 threads, dual-channel memory bus, and no ECC support.