Intel Core i7-860 vs Intel Core i5-2500k

The Intel Core i5-2500k, introduced in early 2011, targeted users who valued overclocking for gaming and demanding desktop tasks.

It is based on the Sandy Bridge S architecture and was manufactured using a 32-nm process. This processor features four cores and four threads. It offers integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 and a maximum memory bandwidth of 21 GB/s. Its per-clock performance is very high for its generation, making it responsive for most applications.

The Intel Core i7-860 was launched in 2009 and was designed for the high-end mainstream segment, ideal for applications that benefited from multithreading.

It is based on the Lynnfield architecture and was manufactured using a 45-nm process. This processor features four cores and eight threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. It offers a maximum memory bandwidth of 17 GB/s and 8 MB of Level 3 Cache, compared to 6 MB for the Intel Core i5-2500k.

An internal graphics unit is not present in this model. In terms of performance, the Intel Core i5-2500k outperforms the Intel Core i7-860 in single-core performance and often in multi-core performance, despite the latter's Hyper-Threading. For gaming, the Intel Core i5-2500k is more advantageous due to its higher per-clock performance and overclockability.

Both CPUs have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 95 Watts. The Intel Core i5-2500k is more efficient due to its finer 32-nm manufacturing process. Historically, the price-performance ratio was often better with the Intel Core i5-2500k. In summary, the Intel Core i5-2500k is the stronger choice for most use cases, especially gaming and general system responsiveness.

The Intel Core i7-860 is conceivable for older multithreading scenarios but is surpassed by the Intel Core i5-2500k in many areas.