Intel Core i7-860S
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
IntelIntel Core i7-860S Specifications
Core i7-860S Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i7-860S features 4 physical cores and 8 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i7-860S Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i7-860S benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i7-860S by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i7-860S Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i7-860S processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i7-860S's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Nehalem Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i7-860S is built on Intel's 45 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i7-860S incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Nehalem Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i7-860S by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i7-860S Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i7-860S has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 82W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 1156 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i7-860S uses the Intel Socket 1156 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 1156 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i7-860S define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i7-860S determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Core i7-860S Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i7-860S is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i7-860S by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i7-860S Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i7-860S performs in parallel rendering workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i7-860S. The more demanding workload provides better differentiation between current-generation processors. Content creators and 3D artists use this benchmark to estimate real-world render performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i7-860S. The increased complexity provides more accurate performance differentiation between modern CPUs. Single-thread performance remains critical for gaming and applications with serial bottlenecks.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i7-860S after thermal limits kick in. The longer duration exposes cooling limitations that shorter benchmarks miss. Professional users rely on R23 scores to predict real-world rendering performance under sustained workloads.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i7-860S maintains boost clocks under continuous load. The extended runtime shows whether thermal throttling affects single-core performance. This score is particularly important for understanding real-world responsiveness beyond initial boost behavior.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_multicoreSource
Geekbench multi-core tests Intel Core i7-860S across real-world workloads including image processing, machine learning, and data compression. All available threads are utilized to measure parallel performance. Higher scores indicate better capability in multitasking and content creation. The cross-platform nature of Geekbench allows direct comparison with systems running different operating systems.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_singlecoreSource
Geekbench single-core measures how fast one thread of Intel Core i7-860S can process tasks like web browsing and document editing. This score correlates with how snappy the system feels during normal use. Many applications still depend primarily on single-thread performance. Gaming performance is also heavily influenced by single-core speed in CPU-limited scenarios.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i7-860S
The Intel Core i7-860S is a desktop processor released in January 2010, built on the 45 nm Lynnfield architecture with 4 cores and 8 threads. It runs at a base clock of 2.53 GHz and a boost clock of 3.47 GHz, with an 82 W TDP. Its average benchmark score across all recorded tests is 731, placing it at the 18th percentile of all CPUs. This analysis examines its performance against the nearest rivals listed in the benchmark database, focusing on the scores and deltas provided.
Benchmark Performance
The i7-860S delivers modest scores across all tested workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 198; in R20 multicore, 829; and in R23 multicore, 1975. Single-core results are 116 in R20 and 278 in R23. Geekbench yields a multicore score of 1298 and a single-core score of 425. These numbers place the CPU in the lower portion of the performance spectrum, consistent with its 18th percentile ranking.
The average benchmark score of 731 is nearly identical to that of the Intel Celeron 7305 (731, delta -0.1%) and the AMD A8-6500B (732, delta -0.1%). It is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i5-3210M (729) and 0.5% behind the AMD A8 PRO-7600B (735). These deltas are all within half a percentage point, indicating that the i7-860S is effectively in the same performance class as these rivals, despite being several years older in design. The small differences suggest that for the workloads represented by these average scores, the i7-860S offers no meaningful advantage or disadvantage over its closest competitors.
The gap between single-thread and multi-thread scores is substantial. For example, the R20 multicore score of 829 is far higher than the single-core score of 116, and the R23 multicore of 1975 dwarfs the single-core of 278. This pattern reflects the processor’s 4-core, 8-thread configuration, which allows it to scale reasonably well in parallel workloads. However, the absolute single-thread numbers are low, limiting performance in tasks that depend on high per-core throughput.
How It Compares
Intel Celeron 7305: The Celeron 7305 has an average score of 731, which is 0.1% lower than the i7-860S. This effectively means the two are statistically tied, with the i7-860S holding a negligible edge. The Celeron is a modern low-power part, yet the older i7-860S matches it in average performance, highlighting the i7’s strong multi-threading capabilities relative to its age.
AMD A8-6500B: This AMD APU scores 732, 0.1% higher than the i7-860S. The difference is trivial, within measurement noise. The A8-6500B is also a quad-core part, and the i7-860S’s Hyper-Threading likely helps it keep pace despite the A8’s higher base architecture efficiency.
Intel Core i5-3210M: The i5-3210M scores 729, which is 0.3% lower than the i7-860S. The i7-860S is slightly faster on average, though the margin is small. The i5-3210M is a dual-core mobile processor with Hyper-Threading, while the i7-860S is a quad-core desktop chip; the extra physical cores give the i7 a slight edge in multi-threaded workloads.
AMD A8 PRO-7600B: This APU scores 735, 0.5% higher than the i7-860S. The i7-860S trails by half a percent, again a very small gap. The A8 PRO-7600B is a quad-core without SMT, but its higher clock speeds likely account for the slight advantage. Overall, the i7-860S sits in a tight cluster of similarly performing processors, none of which offer a decisive lead.
Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior
The benchmark data reveals a pronounced split between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 116 while the multicore score is 829. In R23, the single-core score is 278 against a multicore of 1975. Geekbench shows a single-core of 425 and a multicore of 1298. These ratios indicate that the processor scales well across its 8 threads, but each individual thread is relatively weak.
This behavior is typical of a 2010-era quad-core with Hyper-Threading. The base clock of 2.53 GHz and boost of 3.47 GHz are low by modern standards, and the 45 nm Nehalem architecture does not execute instructions as efficiently as newer designs. For workloads that are highly parallel, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations that use multiple threads, the i7-860S can still provide usable performance, as evidenced by its multicore scores. However, for single-threaded tasks like web browsing, office document editing, or legacy games, the low single-core scores will be a bottleneck. The 18th percentile ranking reflects this overall limitation, as most modern CPUs far exceed these numbers.
FAQ
Q: What socket does the Intel Core i7-860S use?
A: It uses Intel Socket 1156.
Q: Does the processor include integrated graphics?
A: No, the FACT PACK lists no integrated graphics for this CPU.
Q: What is the TDP of the i7-860S?
A: The TDP is 82 watts.
Q: What memory type and channel configuration does it support?
A: It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration.
Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?
A: No, the multiplier is locked.
Q: What is the manufacturing process node?
A: The process node is 45 nm.
Power and Thermals
The i7-860S has a TDP of 82 W, which places it in a moderate power envelope. The 45 nm process node, with 774 million transistors on a 296 mm² die, indicates a design that generates a noticeable amount of heat under load, but not extreme. An 82 W TDP class CPU typically pairs with a capable air cooler, and the socket 1156 platform supports standard cooling solutions. Because the processor is end-of-life and its performance is low by modern standards, it is unlikely to be pushed to sustained maximum loads in typical usage, so thermal management is not a primary concern. However, users who plan to run long multi-threaded workloads should ensure adequate airflow and a cooler rated for this power level.
Who Should Consider It
Given its 18th percentile ranking and low absolute scores, the i7-860S is not suitable for modern gaming, heavy content creation, or any workload that demands high single-thread performance. Its 4 cores and 8 threads can handle light multitasking, office productivity, and older software that is not highly demanding. The multicore scores, while low, are still functional for basic parallel tasks such as file compression or running multiple applications simultaneously. Enthusiasts building a retro system or a budget home server might find the processor acceptable for legacy operating systems or light web serving. However, the end-of-life status and lack of integrated graphics mean a discrete GPU is required, adding to the total system cost. For anyone seeking a processor for current-generation software, the i7-860S falls well short of the performance needed, and the benchmark data clearly shows it belongs in the lower tier of the database.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i7-860S
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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