Intel® Core™ i7-2600K Processor
8M Cache, up to 3.80 GHz
Discover newer Intel Processors and experience Improved performance

Expert reviews
The overall review score is calculated from averaging this product's international review scores.
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10/12/2021
SummaryAll the data we've gathered provides real insight into how AMD and Intel CPU architectures compared over the past decade for gaming. We've seen AMD come from nowhere to often beating Intel, while the latter has made smaller steps in pure architecture term...
techspot.com -
05/16/2019
SummarySince then, despite the perseverance of (or soon to be mildly delayed) Moore's Law, performance is measured differently. Efficiency, core count, integrated SIMD graphics, heterogeneous system architecture and specific instruction sets are now used due to...
anandtech.com
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12/03/2018
SummaryYes, it's still good – just the extent of its usefulness will depend on your use cases, as always. First of all, for anyone with an i7-2600K and trying to stretch it a bit longer, we can strongly recommend considering an overclock attempt. It's not too di...
gamersnexus.net -
03/22/2018
SummaryThis funny little review derived out of the fact that many of you guys in the forums often debate CPU bottlenecks, and refer to the fact that you are still playing games on a dated PC, like the one shown today. Back in the days, the Core i7 2600K was a ho...
guru3d.com -
02/03/2017
SummaryThe performance gains seen here are reminiscent of those seen when Intel launched its core2 architecture with the core2 duo series of processors. The 2nd generation of core processors does things faster, while guzzling less energy. They run cooler and ove...
wccftech.com -
12/23/2012
SummaryThis article doesn’t set out to look at the highest clock rate you can achieve on a Sandy Bridge-based processor. For that, we'd want to use more aggressive cooling, higher voltages, and generally throw the entire efficiency story out the window comple...
tomshardware.com -
08/31/2012
SummaryToday we're going to compare the perfomance of the three Intel Core architechtures—Nehalem, Sandy Bridge, and Ivy Bridge—in as equal conditions as possible. Testbeds For tests, we shall have only Intel Core i7 processors, since the 1st Gen Core i5 had ...
ixbtlabs.com -
08/23/2012
SummaryAs you may know, a while back, we came to some difficult realizations about the validity of our methods for testing PC gaming performance. In my article Inside the second: A new look at game benchmarking, we explained why the widely used frames-per-second...
Techreport.com -
04/23/2012
SummaryThe new Core i7-3770K is a no-brainer if you were considering buying the Core i7-2600K; it costs the same and is faster.It is, however, very important to understand that this processor is targeted to users who will really benefit from additional proces...
hardwaresecrets.com -
01/24/2012
SummaryFor where the Sandy Bridge based Intel Core i7-2600K is marketed towards, the mainstream crowd, the Core i7-2600K is a fantastic package. I think this is due to the competitive price point. It’s value is noticeable as one does not need to break the...
modsynergy.com -
11/07/2011
SummaryDue to issues with customs/logistics (no fault of AMD's), we're a bit late with our Bulldozer review. I suppose that is fitting in this case, but luckily, this gives us the chance to take a bit more time with the review, testing the Bulldozer CPU under it...
HardCOREware.net -
07/06/2011
SummaryAll Pages Page 1 of 15Intel started 2011 off with the official introduction to their highly anticipated Sandy Bridge processors. We had the chance to take a look at their mid-range i5-2500k and we loved it. The i5-2500k isn’t perfect for everyone, tha...
lanoc.org -
06/05/2011
SummaryIf you are on the fence between the i5-2500K and i7-2600K I would suggest pairing a Z68 chipset motherboard with the i7-2600K and wait a dozen or so paychecks to purchase your graphics card of choice. The inclusion of Intel Hyper Threading in the i7...
techwarelabs.com -
05/23/2011
SummaryWell it is that time again Intel has launched a new Unlock kit and this one is sporting some serious hardware. For starters we received the new Intel Core Intel® Core™ i7. As with all Intel® Core™ i7 processors, this one has four cores. The full n...
overclockershq.com -
05/08/2011
SummaryThe Intel Core i7-2600K CPU is a super fast performer which thanks to its unlocked multiplier can also be overclocked like a monster. ...
itp.net -
04/05/2011
SummaryOverall, this is a big win for Intel. The new processors are faster and offer lower processing power than their Lynnfield counterparts and those are positive developments in the server space. Processors like the Xeon E3-1260L will be very popular in the u...
servethehome.com -
04/05/2011
SummaryAfter we completed the first tests of Sandy Bridge processors, the verdict was extremely positive. Intel engineers did a great job on the new microarchitecture, so the actual products based on it ended up with a great combination of consumer features....
xbitlabs.com -
03/21/2011
SummaryIn November 2008, Intel introduced the Core i7 LGA 1366 processors, the first CPUs based on its new Nehalem architecture. After rolling them out on Socket LGA 1156 in September 2009, Nehalem was then released on 32nm dual core and six core CPUs in Jan...
Behardware.com -
02/28/2011
SummaryAfter several weeks testing and trying out Intel's Core i7-2600k Sandybridge processor, there isn't a whole lot to say other than it's relatively cheap, it's fast and it's extremely overclockable. When a processor comes in just over US$300 and is thi...
tweaknews.netProsVery Fast, Overclockable, Turbo 2.0 Technology, Built in HD 3000 Graphics,
ConsNone..,
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01/24/2011
SummaryWith Sandy Bridge, Intel has set new standards in both performance and power consumption. Not only is the new hardware faster and more efficient, it is also not that expensive. These LGA1155 chips obliterate their comparably priced competition, with the Core i5-2400 and i5-2500K offering the best overall value. The i7-2600K offers a slight clock speed bump and Hyper-threading, but with most applications, the performance boost is generally not worth the US$100 extra over the i5-2500K. However as
silentpcreview.com -
01/16/2011
SummaryThere’s so many good things about Sandy Bridge, I scarcely know where to begin. First off, it’s a new processor architecture that offers valuable performance enhancements that even the average user will enjoy. This includes the new Intel Turbo Technolo...
futurelooks.com -
01/03/2011
SummaryWe were surprised to see so much performance and overclockability from this supposedly low-end and multiplier-locked quad-core CPU. However, it's not that much cheaper than the incredible so we struggle to see the point of it. It might be very fast an...
Bit-Tech.net -
01/03/2011
SummaryWe are lagging a little bit behind the official media embargo date for Intel's new Sandy Bridge processors and honestly, all of the information shown below on this page has been released or leaked previously by Intel, so there should be no real surpris...
hardocp.com -
01/03/2011
SummaryThe mainstream user has been waiting patiently for a more affordable solution from the Intel family. The 2nd Generation Intel Core Series offers just that. The “SandyBridge” series offers both dual core and quad core processors which all include Intel ...
hitechlegion.comProsQuad Core Performance with HyperThreading, Turbo Boost Technology, Optimized for Windows 7, 8MB (Shared) L3 Cache, Unlocked, 32nm Processor, Choice of OnDie or Discrete Graphics,
ConsNone, gold
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01/03/2011
SummarySo we have the replacement for the LGA1156 series of processors that just seemed to be finding their feet. With them coming it at three differing price points but not really for three different markets, we have to split this conclusion into three parts...
overclock3d.net -
01/03/2011
SummaryTock- that’s where Intel is with the launch of their second generation Core CPU aka Sandy Bridge. For those who are unaware, Intel’s been following their Tick Tock model for the past few years where TOCK introduces a new generation of CPUs while TICK r...
tbreak.aeProsExcellent performance, Great Price, Runs very cool,
ConsRequires new motherboards, Confusing name scheme
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01/03/2011
SummaryExactly one year ago today, we posted our biggest (in terms of wordage) launch article ever. The product at hand? Intel's Clarkdale processors, which at the time, were the most sophisticated offerings on the market. They were also the first to bring a...
techgage.com -
01/03/2011
SummaryIt is a New Year and time for a new CPU. We have been hearing about this one from Intel for quite a while now and it is time for us to see exactly what it has to offer in terms of performance and power.Of course the CPU we are talking about it Sandy ...
vrworld.com -
01/02/2011
SummaryThe launch of the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture today proved to be a big success for Intel. With the K-series processors' full overclocking potential, users can finally tune their PCs to levels where the processor is limited by performance, not the...
Bjorn3d.comPros32nm Architecture, Low Power
ConsMust have a K series processor to have full overclocking potential
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01/02/2011
SummaryThe Sandy Bridge architecture is very exciting as it incorporates so much into such a small package. While the architecture may not be revolutionary, it is a large step forward from the Nehalem/Westmere architectures, as it does almost everything a lit...
hardwareunboxed.com -
01/02/2011
SummaryThere are a number of performance related aspects to summarize here, including CPU, graphics, and motherboard / chipset performance. First let’s focus on CPU performance relative to previous generation Intel processors. The Core i7-2600K is arguably t...
hothardware.com -
01/02/2011
SummaryIt seems just like yesterday that Intel launched the Core 2 Duo series of CPUs and re-established itself as the king of the hill for x86 CPUs. As hard as it may be to believe, that was four and a half years ago. Since then Intel has been following ...
legitreviews.com -
01/02/2011
SummaryIntel has launched a new Central Processor Unit family every year for the last few years with Tick/Tock regularity. Each Tick is a new architecture with the Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium MMX, Pentium II, Pentium III, Pentium IV, Prescott,...
MotherBoards.org -
01/02/2011
SummaryWhen the Sandy Bridge processors first entered our labs we were anticipating a substantial performance increase over the previous generation Core architecture, and to that end the 2500K and 2600K managed to not only meet our expectations, but also gre...
neoseeker.com -
01/02/2011
SummaryIntel's Sandy Bridge architecture is finally here and I was impressed at nearly every turn. The Core i7-2600K should quickly become the mid-range processor of choice for gamers and enthusiasts alike with a combination of performance and value we haven't...
pcper.com -
01/02/2011
SummaryIntroductionToday we’re facing the launch of a brand new architecture from Intel dubbed “Sandy Bridge”. If you haven’t seen the leaks around the net over the past few months, you haven’t been paying attention. Everyone is excited about the potentia...
techreaction.net -
01/01/2011
SummaryWith significant speedups in both single- and multi-threaded applications, a low price, and excellent overclockability, this new high-performance chip is a performance enthusiast’s dream. ...
computershopper.comProsMajor speed boost over previous-generation Core i7 chips in this price range, Highly overclockable, Inexpensive for the performance
ConsChipset requirements mean you'll need a new motherboard, Integrated graphics still slow compared to cheap dedicated cards
Retail prices reported as of 06 Feb 2023 23:23:29 GMT