Intel Core i5-760

The Intel Core i5-760 is a desktop processor from Intel’s Lynnfield generation, built on the Nehalem architecture using a 45 nm process node. It integrates 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die and operates with four cores and four threads, a base clock of 2.80 GHz, and a boost clock of 3.33 GHz. This end-of-life part targets the desktop market segment, and benchmark data places it at the 20th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 779.

Benchmark Performance

The Core i5-760’s average benchmark score of 779 places it in a tightly contested cluster of processors. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-3320M, matches it almost exactly, with a delta of 0.1% — effectively a statistical tie. The AMD A10-5800K also sits at a 0.1% delta, meaning the i5-760 and that AMD part deliver virtually identical average performance. Against the Intel Pentium G4520, the i5-760 trails by a slim 0.2%, while it leads the Intel Core i5-680 by 0.3%. These deltas are minuscule, indicating that the i5-760 occupies a narrow performance band where small workload variations can flip the ranking.

Looking at specific multi-core workloads, the i5-760 scores 228 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 951 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 2266 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. These scores reflect a processor that handles multi-threaded rendering tasks with modest capability, but the absolute numbers are low by modern standards. For context, the 20th percentile ranking means the vast majority of CPUs in the database outperform it. The single-core results are similarly restrained: 133 in Cinebench R20 single-core and 319 in Cinebench R23 single-core. The data shows a processor that was competitive at its launch time, but in current benchmark pools, it sits near the lower end.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-760 uses the Intel Socket 1156, a platform that was designed for the Lynnfield generation. Memory support is limited to DDR3, operating in dual-channel mode, with no ECC memory capability. The processor provides PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes from the CPU only, which means expansion options are tied directly to those lanes. The integrated graphics are absent — this part relies on a discrete GPU for any display output. The socket and memory constraints define its upgrade path: users are restricted to other Socket 1156 processors, and memory upgrades are capped by the DDR3 standard. The production status is end-of-life, so new units are not available through normal retail channels. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means overclocking is limited to adjusting the base clock, which is less straightforward than on unlocked parts. For a modern system, this platform offers no compatibility with current memory standards or PCIe generations, making it a legacy option.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The difference between single-thread and multi-thread performance reveals the architecture’s strengths and weaknesses. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score of 951 is roughly 7.1 times the single-core score of 133, but that ratio is misleading because the processor has only four cores and four threads — no hyper-threading. The R23 results show a similar pattern: multi-core 2266 versus single-core 319, a factor of about 7.1 again. These ratios are consistent with a quad-core design without simultaneous multi-threading, where scaling is near-linear across cores for well-parallelized workloads. However, the absolute single-core scores are low compared to newer architectures, which means even lightly threaded tasks like web browsing or office documents will feel sluggish. The single-thread performance places it firmly in the legacy tier, while multi-thread performance benefits from having four physical cores, but the lack of extra threads limits its ability to handle heavily threaded modern applications. For workloads that scale well with cores, the i5-760 can leverage all four cores, but for tasks that rely on high per-core throughput, it falls behind.

How It Compares

Against the Intel Core i5-3320M, the i5-760 is essentially equal, with a delta of 0.1% in average score. The i5-3320M is a mobile part, so this comparison highlights that the desktop i5-760 does not outclass a laptop processor from a later generation — both sit at roughly the same performance level. The i5-760’s higher base clock does not translate into a meaningful advantage in the aggregate.

The AMD A10-5800K also matches the i5-760 within 0.1%. This AMD part includes integrated graphics, while the i5-760 lacks them, but in pure CPU compute, the two are indistinguishable. The data suggests that for users with a discrete GPU, the i5-760 offers no performance edge over the A10-5800K.

The Intel Pentium G4520 edges out the i5-760 by 0.2%. This is notable because the G4520 is a dual-core part, yet it still manages to slightly outperform the quad-core i5-760 in average score. The G4520’s newer architecture likely provides higher single-core efficiency, which compensates for its core deficit.

The Intel Core i5-680 leads the i5-760 by 0.3%. Both are desktop parts with similar core counts, but the i5-680’s higher clock speeds give it a marginal advantage. The delta is small enough that real-world differences would be imperceptible, but the ranking is consistent across the benchmark data.

Power and Thermals

The i5-760 has a TDP of 95 watts, which classifies it as a mainstream desktop part with moderate power demands. This TDP figure implies that a capable air cooler is sufficient for standard operation, but the 45 nm process node means heat density is higher than on later, more efficient nodes. The 95-watt TDP is typical for quad-core processors of its era, and it does not require exotic cooling solutions. For a system builder, this means a standard tower cooler or even a stock cooler would manage thermal output under normal loads, provided the chassis has adequate airflow. The lack of integrated graphics reduces overall system power draw compared to APUs, but the CPU itself remains within a conventional desktop envelope. The 774 million transistors and 296 mm² die size contribute to the power profile, but the TDP figure is the primary guide for cooling selection. Users should expect that sustained multi-core loads will generate noticeable heat, but the 95-watt class does not push into high-end cooling territory.

Who Should Consider It

The Core i5-760 is best suited for legacy system builders or users who already own a Socket 1156 motherboard and want a drop-in upgrade without replacing the platform. For gaming, the single-thread score of 319 in Cinebench R23 indicates that modern titles, which often depend on strong single-core performance, will struggle. Older games from the early 2010s, however, may run acceptably given the four cores and 2.80 GHz base clock. For content creation, the multi-core scores — 228 in Cinebench R15, 951 in R20, 2266 in R23 — show that rendering tasks are possible but slow; a modern quad-core with hyper-threading would vastly outperform it. Office productivity, such as word processing or spreadsheet work, will function but with noticeable delays in responsiveness due to the low single-thread scores. The 20th percentile ranking across all CPUs means that this processor is only recommended for users with specific platform constraints or for those running software that does not demand high performance. Given its end-of-life status and lack of modern features like PCIe Gen 4 or DDR4, it is not a sensible choice for new builds, but for a vintage or budget-oriented secondary system, it remains functional. The data consistently shows a processor that was once mid-range but now sits at the low end of the performance curve, with every nearest rival within a 0.3% delta — confirming that it offers no unique performance advantage in today’s benchmark landscape.