Intel Core i7-2600K vs Intel Core i7-4710HQ Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data presents a clean sweep: the Intel Core i7-4710HQ wins all eight head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i7-2600K. That does not mean the comparison is without nuance, however. The margin of victory tells a far more interesting story than the binary win/loss column.

The i7-4710HQ dominates decisively in single-core Geekbench, posting a 23.3% advantage. That is a massive gap, one that speaks to substantial architectural improvements between the two generations. In every other test, the i7-4710HQ wins by margins ranging from 0% to 3.1%, which is essentially a statistical tie in multicore workloads. The two chips are separated by fractions of a percentage point in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests.

So where does each one win? The i7-4710HQ wins everywhere, but it wins meaningfully only in single-threaded Geekbench. The i7-2600K does not win a single benchmark in this dataset. Its closest performance comes in Cinebench R15 multicore, where it trails by just 0.6%, and Cinebench R15 singlecore, where both chips score exactly 66. The i7-2600K also nearly matches in Cinebench R20 multicore, falling behind by only 0.8%.

The use-case split, therefore, is not about raw performance dominance. It is about what each chip represents. The i7-4710HQ, a mobile part, demonstrates that a 47-watt processor can keep pace with a desktop chip that draws 95 watts. The i7-2600K, a desktop part from 2011, shows remarkable staying power, remaining within striking distance of a much newer mobile chip across most workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-4710HQ records an average benchmark score of 1473, while the Intel Core i7-2600K averages 1433. The i7-4710HQ also sits at the 38th percentile among all CPUs, compared to the 37th percentile for the i7-2600K.

Q: How close are the two in multicore performance?

A: Extremely close. The largest multicore gap is in Geekbench multicore, where the i7-4710HQ leads by 3.1% (2694 versus 2613). In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i7-4710HQ scores 4692 against 4657 for the i7-2600K, a 0.8% difference. Cinebench R15 multicore shows just a 0.6% gap (472 versus 469).

Q: Is the i7-4710HQ faster in single-core tests?

A: Yes, particularly in Geekbench singlecore, where it scores 947 versus 768 for the i7-2600K, a 23.3% advantage. In Cinebench single-core tests, the gap narrows dramatically: 66 versus 66 in R15, 278 versus 275 in R20, and 662 versus 657 in R23.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. They also both support DDR3 memory over a dual-channel bus with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The i7-4710HQ has a TDP of 47 watts, while the i7-2600K has a TDP of 95 watts. The mobile chip delivers comparable multicore scores while drawing nearly half the power budget.

Q: Which processor was released earlier?

A: The i7-2600K was released on 2011-01-08, while the i7-4710HQ arrived on 2014-03-31. The i7-2600K also has a launch MSRP of $317; the i7-4710HQ has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single most dramatic result in this comparison is Geekbench singlecore. The i7-4710HQ scores 947, the i7-2600K scores 768. That 23.3% delta is by far the largest in the dataset and represents the clearest generational improvement. The Haswell architecture's IPC gains, combined with the newer process node, translate into a substantial single-thread advantage.

Every other benchmark tells a story of near-parity. In Cinebench R20 singlecore, the i7-4710HQ edges ahead 278 to 275, a 1.1% margin. Cinebench R15 singlecore is a dead heat at 66 points each, with the delta recorded as 0%. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows the i7-4710HQ ahead 662 to 657, a 0.8% gap.

The multicore results follow the same pattern. Geekbench multicore gives the i7-4710HQ its second-largest win: 2694 versus 2613, a 3.1% advantage. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 1970 versus 1955, a 0.8% delta. Cinebench R23 multicore gives 4692 versus 4657, also 0.8%. Cinebench R15 multicore is the closest, with 472 versus 469, just 0.6%.

What these numbers imply is that the i7-2600K, despite being three years older and built on an older process, competes almost evenly in sustained multithreaded workloads. The i7-4710HQ pulls ahead decisively only when the workload is short, single-threaded, and sensitive to per-core efficiency.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every physical and platform specification, yet deliver surprisingly similar benchmark outcomes. The i7-4710HQ runs at a base clock of 2.50 GHz with a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The i7-2600K runs at 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The older chip has higher clock speeds, but the newer chip compensates with architectural efficiency.

TDP is the most striking difference. The i7-4710HQ draws 47 watts, the i7-2600K draws 95 watts. That is a 48-watt gap, more than double the power envelope, for essentially equivalent multicore performance. The i7-4710HQ achieves this while being a mobile part on Intel BGA 1364, whereas the i7-2600K is a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1155.

The i7-4710HQ uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-2600K uses PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics also differ: Intel HD 4600 on the i7-4710HQ versus Intel HD 3000 on the i7-2600K. The i7-2600K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the i7-4710HQ does not.

Architecture Differences

The i7-4710HQ is built on Haswell architecture, codenamed Crystalwell, while the i7-2600K uses Sandy Bridge. The process node difference is significant: 22 nm for Haswell versus 32 nm for Sandy Bridge. This explains much of the efficiency gain, as the smaller node allows the i7-4710HQ to deliver comparable performance at nearly half the TDP.

Transistor counts reflect the architectural evolution. The i7-4710HQ contains 1,400 million transistors on a 264 mm² die. The i7-2600K contains 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. More transistors packed into a larger die area, but at a much smaller process node, yields the efficiency improvements seen in the data.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache differs: the i7-4710HQ has 6 MB shared, while the i7-2600K has 8 MB shared. The older chip actually has more L3 cache, which may help explain its strong multicore showing despite the architectural disadvantage.

The i7-4710HQ belongs to the Core i7 (Crystal Well) generation, while the i7-2600K belongs to the Core i7 (Sandy Bridge) generation. Both are end-of-life products, but their architectural lineage is three generations apart, with Haswell following Sandy Bridge through Ivy Bridge and Haswell's refinement of the Core architecture.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but qualified conclusion. The Intel Core i7-4710HQ wins every benchmark in this comparison, but the magnitude of those wins matters more than the count. In multicore workloads, the i7-4710HQ is effectively tied with the i7-2600K, leading by less than 1% in most Cinebench tests. In single-core Geekbench, however, the i7-4710HQ is decisively ahead by 23.3%.

For anyone choosing based on raw multicore throughput, the i7-2600K remains a viable option despite its age. Its 8 MB of L3 cache and higher clock speeds keep it competitive with a much newer chip. The i7-2600K also offers an unlocked multiplier, which the i7-4710HQ lacks, suggesting that overclocking could extend its lead in scenarios where the user can push beyond stock settings.

For anyone prioritizing efficiency, the i7-4710HQ is the obvious pick. It delivers the same multicore performance at 47 watts versus 95 watts, making it suitable for mobile platforms where thermal and power constraints matter. Its PCIe Gen 3 support and newer integrated graphics also give it a platform-level advantage.

The i7-4710HQ wins 8 out of 8 benchmarks, but the i7-2600K wins on longevity and overclocking potential. The database shows a mobile chip that matches a desktop chip from three years prior, which is a remarkable achievement for the i7-4710HQ and a signal of the i7-2600K's enduring design. The choice depends entirely on whether the workload favors single-threaded responsiveness, where the i7-4710HQ dominates, or platform flexibility, where the i7-2600K's unlocked multiplier and desktop socket offer advantages.