AMD Ryzen 5 1400 vs Intel Core i7-2600K Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data splits these two desktop processors by workload generation. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 wins three of the four head-to-head benchmark comparisons, including both Cinebench R15 tests and the Cinebench R23 single-core test. The Intel Core i7-2600K wins only one test, but it is the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it leads by 16.9%. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the i7-2600K averages 1433 across all recorded tests, while the Ryzen 5 1400 averages 1410, a gap of roughly 1.6%. Both sit at the 37th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

The Ryzen 5 1400 is the pick for users running Cinebench R15 workloads, where it outperforms the i7-2600K by 31.8% in multi-core and by 50.7% in single-core. The i7-2600K is the pick for Cinebench R23 multi-core rendering, where its 4657 score exceeds the Ryzen's 3985. For single-threaded Cinebench R23 work, the Ryzen 5 1400 again takes the lead with 832 versus 657, a 21% advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design eras and foundries. The Intel Core i7-2600K uses the Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process, built by Intel with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 uses the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) on a 14 nm process, built by GlobalFoundries with 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The transistor count difference is substantial: the Ryzen packs over four times as many transistors into a slightly smaller die.

Cache layouts differ per core. The i7-2600K has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, while the Ryzen 5 1400 has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core. Both share 8 MB of L3 cache across all cores. The Ryzen 5 1400 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth, whereas the i7-2600K supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s. The Ryzen also supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation. The i7-2600K provides PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen 5 1400 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 3000), while the Ryzen 5 1400 has no integrated graphics at all. Sockets are incompatible: the i7-2600K uses Intel Socket 1155, the Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4.

Power envelopes diverge sharply. The i7-2600K has a TDP of 95 watts, the Ryzen 5 1400 draws 65 watts. Both have unlocked multipliers for overclocking. The release dates are six years apart: the i7-2600K launched in January 2011, the Ryzen 5 1400 in April 2017. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part remains active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a decisive win for the AMD Ryzen 5 1400. It scores 688 against the i7-2600K's 469, a 31.8% difference. This is the largest multi-core margin in the recorded data. The Ryzen's newer Zen architecture and higher per-core cache clearly translate into better threaded performance in this workload.

The Cinebench R15 single-core test is an even larger blowout. The Ryzen 5 1400 scores 133.75, while the i7-2600K scores only 66. That is a 50.7% difference, meaning the Ryzen is roughly twice as fast in single-threaded R15 work. This reflects the massive IPC gains from Sandy Bridge to Zen, despite the Ryzen's lower clock speeds (3.40 GHz boost versus 3.80 GHz boost).

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test flips the result. The Intel Core i7-2600K scores 4657, beating the Ryzen 5 1400's 3985 by 16.9%. This is surprising given the R15 results, but the data is clear: the older Intel chip handles the newer multi-threaded workload better. The i7-2600K's higher base clock (3.40 GHz versus 3.20 GHz) and boost clock may contribute, but the exact reason lies in workload scaling differences.

The Cinebench R23 single-core test returns to the Ryzen's favor. It scores 832 against the i7-2600K's 657, a 21% lead. This is consistent with the R15 single-core result, confirming that the Zen core design is substantially faster per thread than Sandy Bridge.

The benchmark record shows a 3-to-1 win split in favor of the AMD Ryzen 5 1400. However, the average scores across all recorded benchmarks are within 1.6% of each other, meaning the overall performance picture is far closer than individual test scores suggest.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the Intel Core i7-2600K and AMD Ryzen 5 1400 are as follows:

• Base clock: 3.40 GHz (Intel) versus 3.20 GHz (AMD)
• Boost clock: 3.80 GHz (Intel) versus 3.40 GHz (AMD)
• TDP: 95 W (Intel) versus 65 W (AMD)
• Process node: 32 nm (Intel) versus 14 nm (AMD)
• Transistors: 1,160 million (Intel) versus 4,800 million (AMD)
• Die size: 216 mm² (Intel) versus 213 mm² (AMD)
• L1 cache per core: 64 KB (Intel) versus 96 KB (AMD)
• L2 cache per core: 256 KB (Intel) versus 512 KB (AMD)
• Memory support: DDR3 (Intel) versus DDR4 (AMD)
• Memory bandwidth: 25.6 GB/s (Intel) versus 42.7 GB/s (AMD)
• ECC memory: Not supported (Intel) versus supported (AMD)
• PCIe: Gen 2, 16 lanes (Intel) versus Gen 3, 16 lanes (AMD)
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 3000 (Intel) versus none (AMD)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1155 versus AMD Socket AM4
• Release date: 2011-01-08 (Intel) versus 2017-04-10 (AMD)
• Production status: End-of-life (Intel) versus Active (AMD)
• Launch MSRP: $317 (Intel) versus $169 (AMD)

Both chips have 4 cores, 8 threads, dual-channel memory buses, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have unlocked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core Cinebench R15?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is much faster, scoring 133.75 versus 66 for the Intel Core i7-2600K, a 50.7% advantage.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-2600K wins, scoring 4657 against the Ryzen 5 1400's 3985, a 16.9% lead.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which chip supports DDR4 memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 supports DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i7-2600K supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Is ECC memory supported on either processor?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-2600K does not.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 has a 65-watt TDP, while the Intel Core i7-2600K has a 95-watt TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 wins in three of the four recorded benchmark categories. It dominates in Cinebench R15 both multi-core (688 versus 469) and single-core (133.75 versus 66), and it leads in Cinebench R23 single-core (832 versus 657). These wins cover both old and new Cinebench versions for single-threaded work, suggesting a consistent per-core performance advantage. The Ryzen also offers modern platform features: DDR4 memory with higher bandwidth, ECC support, PCIe Gen 3, and a lower 65-watt TDP. Its active production status means it remains available for purchase.

The Intel Core i7-2600K wins only one benchmark, but that win is meaningful. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 4657 versus 3985, a 16.9% margin. This indicates that for this specific newer multi-threaded workload, the older Sandy Bridge design still has an edge. The Intel chip also has higher base and boost clocks (3.40/3.80 GHz versus 3.20/3.40 GHz), which may help in scenarios not captured by the recorded tests. It includes integrated graphics, making it a complete package for systems without a discrete GPU. However, its end-of-life status and older platform (DDR3, PCIe Gen 2, Socket 1155) limit its future relevance.

The database's overall picture: the Ryzen 5 1400 is the better all-around performer in most recorded tests, while the i7-2600K retains a specific strength in Cinebench R23 multi-core rendering. Users prioritizing modern memory, lower power draw, and consistent single-thread wins should choose the Ryzen. Users specifically targeting Cinebench R23 multi-core scores or needing integrated graphics should consider the Intel chip. The near-identical average scores (1433 versus 1410) and matching 37th percentile ranking mean neither chip is a class leader, but the Ryzen's broader benchmark wins and active production status make it the more versatile choice.