Intel Core i7-2600S vs Intel Processor N97 Comparison

Intel Core i7-2600S and Intel Processor N97 represent two very different eras of Intel engineering. The database shows both CPUs occupy the same 32nd percentile among all recorded processors, yet their benchmark profiles could not be more distinct. The i7-2600S, a Sandy Bridge desktop part from 2011, still holds a commanding lead in one multi-threaded workload, while the N97, a modern Gracemont mobile chip, dominates every single-thread test and one multi-core test. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 1146 for the i7-2600S and 1132 for the N97, but that similarity masks fundamental architectural shifts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S records an average benchmark score of 1146, while the Intel Processor N97 sits just behind at 1132. The difference is roughly 1.2%, placing both in the same performance bracket.

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

A: The i7-2600S wins decisively with a score of 3933 versus the N97's 2913, a 35% advantage. This is the only benchmark in the head-to-head set where the older chip comes out ahead.

Q: What is the single-core performance gap between the two?

A: The N97 dominates every single-core test. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the N97 scores 161 against the i7-2600S's 55, a 65.8% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the N97 scores 973 versus 555, a 43% advantage.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600S features 8 threads across 4 cores thanks to Hyper-Threading, while the Intel Processor N97 has 4 threads across 4 cores with no simultaneous multi-threading.

Q: What are the power targets of each chip?

A: The i7-2600S has a 65W TDP, while the N97 draws only 12W. The N97's power envelope is roughly one-fifth that of the older desktop part.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the Intel Core i7-2600S nor the Intel Processor N97 supports ECC memory according to the recorded specifications.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors spans more than a decade of Intel design evolution. The i7-2600S uses the Sandy Bridge architecture built on a 32 nm process node, while the N97 uses the Gracemont architecture on a 10 nm node. This process shrink alone explains much of the power and efficiency difference.

The i7-2600S features 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die, a substantial chip for its era. The N97's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database, but its Gracemont cores represent Intel's efficient-core design philosophy, prioritizing power efficiency over raw throughput per thread.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The i7-2600S allocates 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a shared 8 MB L3 cache. The N97 uses a larger 96 KB L1 per core but shares 2 MB of L2 across all cores, with a smaller 6 MB L3 pool. This means the older chip has more total cache at the L2 and L3 levels, while the N97 relies on its newer core design and higher per-core L1 capacity.

Memory support is another clear divide. The i7-2600S uses dual-channel DDR3, while the N97 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 but only in a single-channel configuration. The N97 does record a memory bandwidth figure of 38.4 GB/s, which the i7-2600S does not list. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i7-2600S provides 16 Gen 3 lanes, while the N97 offers 9 Gen 3 lanes.

Integrated graphics represent a generational jump. The i7-2600S pairs its CPU cores with Intel HD 2000, while the N97 includes UHD Graphics 730. The N97 also uses a BGA 1264 socket and targets the mobile market, whereas the i7-2600S is a desktop part on Socket 1155.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head results show a split personality. The N97 wins three of the four direct comparisons, but the i7-2600S claims the most lopsided victory in the suite.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the N97 scores 479 against the i7-2600S's 396, a 17.3% win for the newer chip. This is notable because it shows the N97's four efficient cores can outpace the i7-2600S's four cores with eight threads in this particular workload, despite the thread count disadvantage.

The single-core Cinebench R15 test is where the N97 runs away with it. The score of 161 versus 55 represents a 65.8% gap, one of the largest deltas in the entire comparison. This reflects the massive IPC improvements Intel achieved between Sandy Bridge and Gracemont, plus the N97's higher base clock of 2000 MHz against the i7-2600S's 2800 MHz base, though the older chip boosts to 3.80 GHz versus 3.60 GHz for the N97.

Cinebench R23 multi-core flips the script. The i7-2600S records 3933, beating the N97's 2913 by 35%. This is the only benchmark where the older processor wins, and it wins big. The 8-thread configuration of the i7-2600S likely plays a decisive role here, as does its larger shared L3 cache of 8 MB compared to the N97's 6 MB.

Cinebench R23 single-core returns to form for the N97, with a score of 973 against 555, a 43% lead. Across both single-core tests, the N97 averages roughly a 54% advantage, demonstrating that Gracemont's per-thread performance is substantially ahead of Sandy Bridge despite the older chip's higher boost clock.

The overall win tally sits at 3 for the N97 and 1 for the i7-2600S. However, the magnitude of the i7-2600S's multi-core R23 victory, 35%, is larger than any single win the N97 achieves in multi-core, though the N97's single-core margins are far more dramatic.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear division of roles. The Intel Processor N97 is the better choice for single-threaded workloads and any task that prioritizes power efficiency. Its 12W TDP compared to 65W for the i7-2600S, combined with its dominant single-core scores, makes it the logical pick for lightweight, always-on systems or fanless designs where thermal headroom is minimal.

The Intel Core i7-2600S retains relevance in one specific area: heavily multi-threaded rendering. Its 35% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core shows that the combination of 8 threads and a larger L3 cache can still outmuscle the newer efficient-core design in sustained all-core workloads. For users running older software that scales well across threads, the i7-2600S remains competitive despite its age.

The average benchmark scores tell a story of near-parity, 1146 versus 1132, but the underlying distribution matters more. The N97 delivers its performance in a small power envelope with modern memory support and much stronger single-core behavior. The i7-2600S offers a narrower advantage in one multi-threaded test while consuming over five times the power.

Neither chip is a universal winner. The N97 suits modern, efficiency-conscious computing with its active production status and 2023 release date. The i7-2600S, marked end-of-life since its 2011 launch, still has utility for legacy desktop builds where multi-threaded throughput and existing Socket 1155 infrastructure matter more than power draw or single-core speed.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-2600S | Intel Processor N97 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 2000 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65W | 12W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel BGA 1264 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Gracemont |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 10 nm |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 2 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 3, 9 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2011-01-08 | 2023-01-02 |

| Part Number | SR00E | SRMLM |

| Multplier Unlocked | No | No |

| ECC Support | No | No |