Intel Core i7-2600K vs Intel Core i7-920

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Core i7-2600K compared with Core i7-920
IntelCore i7-2600KIntelCore i7-920
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2011November 2008
Cores and clocks
Cores44
Threads88
Base clock3.4 GHz2.66 GHz
Boost clock3.8 GHz (better)2.93 GHz
L3 cache8 MB8 MB
CoresFour cores with Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0. Expert Reviews and TechRadar confirm the unlocked CPU multiplier.Four cores with Hyper-Threading; eight simultaneous threads. PCStats confirms a locked CPU multiplier; base-clock overclocking is possible, so locked does not mean all overclocking is disabled.
ClocksMaximum 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.Intel's product brief gives up to 2.93 GHz single-core Turbo Boost. Intel's 17 November 2008 sale notice names the 920 and confirms immediate system and boxed retail availability.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphicsYesNo
GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 3000; 850 MHz base, up to 1.35 GHz; two displays; Quick Sync Video.No processor graphics; a separate graphics solution is required. Intel's desktop comparison chart lists graphics as not applicable.
Platform
SocketLGA1155LGA1366
Base power95 W130 W
UnlockedYesNo
Memory supportUp to 32 GB; two channels; DDR3-1066/1333; 21 GB/s maximum bandwidth as Intel publishes; ECC not supported.Three channels of DDR3-1066 in Intel's exact-model product brief. A later Intel comparison chart incorrectly lists two channels; the original product brief is used here.
PCIePCIe 2.0; 16 CPU lanes.Intel's product brief describes X58 chipset PCIe 2.0 graphics connectivity, including two ×16 links. These are chipset connections, not CPU-integrated PCIe lanes. CPU-to-chipset QuickPath Interconnect runs at 4.8 GT/s for the 920.
Process32 nm; Sandy Bridge; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; 72.6°C maximum case temperature, not junction temperature.45 nm; Nehalem architecture.
CoolerLGA1155 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.Requires an LGA1366/X58 platform; incompatible with LGA775 motherboards. Intel's retired specification page could not be read, so optional package temperature and separate maximum-power values are omitted.

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