Intel Core i5-655K vs Intel Core i7-2600K

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Core i5-655K compared with Core i7-2600K

	IntelCore i5-655K	IntelCore i7-2600K
Overview
Released
Released	June 2010	January 2011
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	2	4 (better)
Threads
Threads	4	8 (better)
Base clock
Base clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	3.46 GHz	3.8 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	4 MB	8 MB (better)
Cores
Cores	Two cores and four threads with Hyper-Threading; unlocked multiplier confirmed in the exact reviews.	Four cores with Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0. Expert Reviews and TechRadar confirm the unlocked CPU multiplier.
Clocks
Clocks	3.20 GHz base and up to 3.46 GHz Turbo Boost. Intel gives Q2 2010; contemporary AKIBA PC Hotline reporting confirms retail availability in June. May launch coverage and an earlier listing do not establish an exact first-sale day, so month precision is retained.	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	4 MB shared L3 cache.	–
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	Yes	Yes
Graphics
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics at 733 MHz in Intel’s exact-model comparison chart.	Intel HD Graphics 3000; 850 MHz base, up to 1.35 GHz; two displays; Quick Sync Video.
Platform
Socket
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1155
Base power
Base power	73 W	95 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	–
Memory support
Memory support	Two channels of DDR3-1066/1333 in Intel’s exact-model chart.	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	32 nm CPU and separate 45 nm graphics die, as described by bit-tech’s exact review.	32 nm; Sandy Bridge; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; 72.6°C maximum case temperature, not junction temperature.
Cooler
Cooler	The exact Newegg listing and contemporary AKIBA PC Hotline retail report confirm that the boxed model has no cooler.	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.