Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 vs Intel Core i7-2600K

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Core 2 Quad Q6600 compared with Core i7-2600K

	IntelCore 2 Quad Q6600	IntelCore i7-2600K
Overview
Released
Released	January 2007	January 2011
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	4	4
Threads
Threads	4	8 (better)
Base clock
Base clock	2.4 GHz	3.4 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	–	3.8 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	–	8 MB
Cores
Cores	Kentsfield; four cores and four threads, without Hyper-Threading. Original B3 stepping is the numerical baseline; later G0 retains the model name and core/cache figures. Locked multiplier confirmed by bit-tech’s exact-model review.	Four cores with Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0. Expert Reviews and TechRadar confirm the unlocked CPU multiplier.
Clocks
Clocks	Published operating frequency 2.40 GHz; 1066 MHz front-side bus. Intel’s 8 January 2007 release explicitly states immediate availability in PCs and the reseller channel. No unpublished boost frequency is supplied.	Maximum turbo is a single-core frequency; sustained clocks depend on cooling. Intel's 5 January launch notice gives 9 January availability for quad-core systems.
Cache
Cache	Two 4 MB L2 caches, one per dual-core die; total 8 MB. Intel’s datasheet also lists four 32 KB L1 data caches. No L3 figure is supplied.	–
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	Yes
Graphics
Graphics	No integrated graphics, confirmed by the exact BX80562Q6600 retail listing; motherboard graphics are a separate component.	Intel HD Graphics 3000; 850 MHz base, up to 1.35 GHz; two displays; Quick Sync Video.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA775	LGA1155
Base power
Base power	105 W	95 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	No	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	Yes	–
Memory support
Memory support	Memory and I/O transactions pass through the front-side bus and chipset, as Intel’s datasheet states; memory types and capacity depend on the motherboard.	Up to 32 GB; two channels; DDR3-1066/1333; 21 GB/s maximum bandwidth as Intel publishes; ECC not supported.
PCIe
PCIe	–	PCIe 2.0; 16 CPU lanes.
Process
Process	65 nm; Kentsfield; LGA775.	32 nm; Sandy Bridge; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; 72.6°C maximum case temperature, not junction temperature.
Cooler
Cooler	Boxed BX80562Q6600 listing confirms heatsink and fan. Intel’s datasheet and PCN107463 distinguish original B3 105 W from later G0 95 W; the projected July 2007 conversion date is not treated as an independently verified sale day.	LGA1155 is incompatible with LGA1156. TechRadar describes the launch P67 chipset as supporting CPU overclocking and H67 as supporting the integrated graphics output; chipset choice affects available features. Intel publishes no separate maximum turbo-power figure.