CPU Comparison

Core i7-880 vs Core i7-2600

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-880 is a high-end desktop processor launched in May 2010, based on the 45nm Lynnfield architecture. It represents the highest bin of the Lynnfield silicon, operating at a base frequency of 3.066 GHz and boosting up to 3.733 GHz via Turbo Boost. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, supported by an 8 MB L3 cache. Utilizing the LGA 1156 socket, it brought the Nehalem microarchitecture to its peak performance on the mainstream platform. It integrates a dual-channel DDR3 memory controller and 16 PCIe 2.0 lanes directly on the CPU. Like other Lynnfield chips, it lacks an integrated GPU. With a 95W TDP, it was relatively easy to cool for its clock speed. The i7-880 was a quiet release, often overshadowed by the unlocked i7-875K, but it remains the fastest stock-clocked Lynnfield CPU, offering excellent performance for its era, though obsolete today.

Top pick
Intel · Core i7
Core i7-880
4C / 8T3.733 GHz95 W
8
Full review
Intel · Core i7
Core i7-2600
4C / 8T3.8 GHz95 W
7.5
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Desktop
Desktop
Segment
Desktop High-End
Desktop
Generation
Core i7 (Lynnfield)
2nd Generation
Launched
2010
2011
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Lynnfield
Sandy Bridge
Series
Core i7
Core i7
Family
1st Gen Core i7
Sandy Bridge
Predecessor
Core i7-870
Intel Core i7-870
Successor
Core i7-2600
Intel Core i7-3770

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
4
Threads
8
8
Base Clock
3.066 GHz
3.4 GHz
Boost Clock
3.733 GHz
3.8 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
8 MB
8 MB
TDP
95 W
95 W
Architecture
Architecture
Lynnfield
Sandy Bridge
Process Node
45nm
32nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3
Memory Speed
1333 MT/s
DDR3-1333
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
32 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel Socket 1156
Intel Socket 1155
PCIe Version
Gen 2
PCIe 2.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
None
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Core i7-88039

Fastest Lynnfield at stock, but obsolete now.

Core i7-2600Best65

Still usable for basic office tasks and web browsing.

Gaming

Core i7-88038

Handles old games well but bottlenecks modern titles.

Core i7-2600Best50

Can still run older games, but bottlenecks modern GPUs.

Virtualization

Core i7-88042

Good for legacy VMs.

Core i7-2600Best60

Handles light VMs well.

Efficiency

Core i7-88040

95W TDP is acceptable for 45nm at these clocks.

Core i7-2600Best50

95W TDP on 32nm is not efficient by modern standards.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Core i7-880None
  • No AI hardware
  • Unsuitable for modern inference
Core i7-2600None
  • No AI hardware
  • Too slow for modern AI

Content Creation

Core i7-880Legacy
Legacy PremierePhotoshop3D Modeling
Core i7-2600Fair
Basic 1080p EditingPhoto Editing

Gaming

Core i7-880Legacy
  • PCIe 2.0 only
  • No AVX support
  • Requires discrete GPU
Core i7-2600Fair
  • Good for retro gaming
  • Needs discrete GPU
  • PCIe 2.0 may bottleneck modern cards

Industry Impact

Gaming
Moderate
High
Workstations
Low
Moderate
Content Creation
Moderate
High
Virtualization
Moderate
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

High-End Gaming
Excellent (for 2010)
Video Editing
Very Good
3D Rendering
Good
Streaming
Moderate
Gaming
Good
Office Productivity
Excellent
Light Video Editing
Good

Target Audience

Gamers
Targeted
Targeted
Content Creators
Targeted
Targeted
Developers
Targeted
Targeted
Workstation Users
Streamers
Targeted
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Students
Targeted

Strengths & Weaknesses

Core i7-880

Pros

  • Highest stock Lynnfield clocks
  • 8MB L3 cache
  • Quad-core with HT
  • Good 2010 performance

Cons

  • Obsolete platform
  • No integrated graphics
  • Locked multiplier
  • Rare and expensive
Core i7-2600

Pros

  • Revolutionary IPC for 2011
  • 4 cores and 8 threads
  • Solid single-core performance
  • Integrated graphics

Cons

  • 32nm process is inefficient
  • Lacks AVX2
  • PCIe 2.0 only
  • Locked multiplier

Competitors & Alternatives

Core i7-880

  • AMD Phenom II X4 965

    Desktop High-End

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-875K

    Desktop Enthusiast

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-930

    Desktop High-End

    Rival
    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Phenom II X6 1090T

    Desktop Enthusiast

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-870

    Desktop High-End

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-2600
    Alt

    The direct Sandy Bridge successor.

Core i7-2600

  • AMD FX-8120

    Desktop

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-2600K
    Alt

    Unlocked version for overclocking.

  • Intel Core i7-3770
    Alt

    Newer Ivy Bridge alternative.

  • Cheaper, no Hyper-Threading but similar gaming performance.

    Compare head-to-head

Our Verdict on Each

Core i7-880Situational

The ultimate Lynnfield chip with the highest stock clocks, though overshadowed by the 875K and obsolete today.

Best for: Maintaining a legacy retro gaming rig.

Read the full review
Core i7-2600Situational

A legendary CPU that offered incredible value and performance in 2011. While outdated, it remains a milestone in Intel's history.

Best for: Keeping an old PC alive.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Core i7-880 or Core i7-2600?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-880 comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.

Which is faster for gaming, Core i7-880 or Core i7-2600?

For gaming, the Core i7-2600 leads with a gaming performance score of 50/100 among Core i7-880 and Core i7-2600.

Do Core i7-880 and Core i7-2600 use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Core i7-880: Intel Socket 1156, Core i7-2600: Intel Socket 1155), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Core i7-2600 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-2600 (9,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.