Intel Core i7-2600K vs Intel Core i7-4712HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4712HQ and Intel Core i7-2600K are two end-of-life processors from different eras and market segments, yet they land remarkably close in overall benchmark averages. The data shows a near statistical tie in aggregate performance, with the i7-4712HQ posting an average score of 1436 and the i7-2600K posting 1433, a delta of just 0.2%. Despite this tie, their performance profiles diverge sharply depending on the workload, making the choice between them a matter of specific use-case priorities rather than raw capability.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results split cleanly along workload types. The Intel Core i7-2600K wins every Cinebench test, which stresses sustained multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering workloads. Its margins are consistent, ranging from 2.9% to 3.2% across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 variants. This indicates a decisive advantage in CPU-bound rendering tasks, where the older Sandy Bridge architecture’s higher clock speeds translate directly into faster completion times.

Conversely, the Intel Core i7-4712HQ wins both Geekbench tests, and by a much larger margin. In Geekbench multicore, the mobile chip scores 2734 against 2613 for the i7-2600K, a 4.6% lead. The single-core Geekbench gap is even more pronounced: 923 versus 768, a 20.2% advantage for the i7-4712HQ. This suggests the Haswell architecture’s newer instruction set and efficiency improvements yield significant gains in the diverse, latency-sensitive workloads that Geekbench measures, even at lower clock speeds.

The overall win tally reflects this split: the i7-2600K takes 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, but the i7-4712HQ claims the two with the largest individual margins. For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering, the i7-2600K is the clear winner. For users running Geekbench-style mixed workloads, the i7-4712HQ holds the edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors stem from different Intel generations and process nodes. The i7-4712HQ is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process, packing 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die. The i7-2600K uses the older Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process, with 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die. This node shrink gives the i7-4712HQ a density advantage, but the i7-2600K compensates with higher operating frequencies.

Clock speeds differ substantially. The i7-4712HQ has a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The i7-2600K runs at a 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. This 1.10 GHz base clock gap and 0.50 GHz boost gap explain the i7-2600K’s lead in clock-sensitive rendering tests.

Cache configurations also differ. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the i7-2600K carries 8 MB of shared L3 cache versus 6 MB on the i7-4712HQ. The larger L3 cache on the older chip may help in workloads with repeated data access patterns.

Connectivity and power draw are starkly different. The i7-4712HQ is a mobile part with a 37 W TDP, while the i7-2600K is a desktop chip rated at 95 W. The i7-4712HQ uses Intel BGA 1364 socket, whereas the i7-2600K uses Intel Socket 1155. The i7-4712HQ supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the i7-2600K is limited to PCIe Gen 2 with the same lane count. Integrated graphics also differ: the i7-4712HQ features Intel HD 4600, and the i7-2600K has Intel HD 3000.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-2600K’s dominance in Cinebench is uniform but modest. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 469 against 454 for the i7-4712HQ, a 3.2% lead. Single-core R15 shows 66 versus 64, a 3% edge. The pattern holds in R20: multicore 1955 versus 1895 (3.1% lead), single-core 275 versus 267 (2.9% lead). In R23, the i7-2600K scores 4657 versus 4512 multicore (3.1% lead) and 657 versus 637 single-core (3% lead). These consistent margins across all Cinebench versions indicate the i7-2600K’s clock speed advantage provides a steady, if not overwhelming, performance uplift in rendering tasks.

The i7-4712HQ’s wins are fewer but far more decisive. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 2734 against 2613, a 4.6% margin. The single-core Geekbench result is the standout: 923 versus 768, giving the i7-4712HQ a 20.2% advantage. This large delta suggests that the Haswell architecture’s improvements in per-clock instructions per cycle (IPC) and memory handling are highly effective in Geekbench’s workload mix, despite the i7-4712HQ’s lower clock speeds.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the i7-4712HQ edges ahead with 1436 versus 1433, a 0.2% difference. Both processors sit at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier. The nearest rivals for the i7-4712HQ include the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G (avg score 1439, delta -0.2%) and the Intel Xeon E3-1505L v5 (avg score 1446, delta -0.7%). For the i7-2600K, the closest competitors include the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G (avg score 1439, delta -0.4%) and the Intel Core i5-4570S (avg score 1426, delta 0.5%).

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600K wins with a score of 4657, compared to 4512 for the Intel Core i7-4712HQ, a 3.1% advantage.

Q: How large is the single-core Geekbench gap?

A: The Intel Core i7-4712HQ leads by 20.2%, scoring 923 against 768 for the Intel Core i7-2600K.

Q: Do the two processors have the same L3 cache size?

A: No, the Intel Core i7-2600K has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i7-4712HQ has 6 MB.

Q: What is the TDP difference between them?

A: The Intel Core i7-4712HQ is rated at 37 W, while the Intel Core i7-2600K is rated at 95 W.

Q: Which chip supports PCIe Gen 3?

A: The Intel Core i7-4712HQ supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes; the Intel Core i7-2600K is limited to PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the Intel Core i7-2600K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i7-4712HQ does not.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of recommendations based on workload. For users whose primary tasks are Cinebench-style rendering, whether multi-threaded or single-threaded, the Intel Core i7-2600K is the better choice. It wins all six Cinebench tests with margins between 2.9% and 3.2%, driven by its higher base and boost clocks. Its 8 MB L3 cache and desktop-class 95 W TDP also align with sustained compute workloads.

For users running Geekbench-style mixed applications, the Intel Core i7-4712HQ offers a substantial advantage. Its 20.2% single-core and 4.6% multicore Geekbench wins reflect architectural efficiency that outweighs its clock deficit. The 37 W TDP also makes it viable for constrained thermal environments, unlike the 95 W desktop part.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the i7-4712HQ at 1436 and the i7-2600K at 1433. Both sit at the 37th percentile. The choice therefore hinges on which benchmark suite aligns with the target software. Rendering-focused users should pick the i7-2600K. Mixed-use and mobile-adjacent scenarios favor the i7-4712HQ. Neither chip is a universal winner, but each has a defined niche where it excels.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4712HQ | Intel Core i7-2600K |

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

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 37 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

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

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 216 mm² |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 2, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 3000 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2014-03-31 | 2011-01-08 |

| Launch MSRP | $378 | $317 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SR1PZ | SR00C |