Intel Core i7-2600K socket: LGA 1155
The Intel Core i7-2600K uses the LGA 1155 socket. It runs on 6 series and 7 series motherboards, and overclocking its unlocked multiplier needs a P67, Z68, Z77 or Z75 board.
- Socket
- LGA 1155
- Launched
- January 2011
- Cores and threads
- 4 and 8
- Base power
- 95 W
- Codename
- Sandy Bridge
- Segment
- Desktop
- Family
- Intel Core i7
- Clocks
- 3.4 / 3.8 GHz
Intel Core i7-2600K specifications
| Cores | 4 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 8 |
| Clocks | 3.4 GHz base, up to 3.8 GHz turbo |
| Cache | 8 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3) |
| Processor base power (TDP) | 95 W |
| Manufacturing process | 32 nm |
| Memory support | DDR3 at 1066 and 1333 MT/s, two channels, up to 32 GB |
| PCI Express | 16 lanes from the CPU, PCIe 2.0 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Multiplier | Unlocked (K series) |
| Package | FCLGA1155 |
| Launch price | $317 (tray), Intel recommended customer price |
Motherboard and chipset compatibility
Intel Core i7-2600K needs a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket. The table shows which chipset series accept it.
| Series | Chipsets | Support |
|---|---|---|
| 7 series | Z77, Z75, H77, B75, Q77, Q75 | Works out of the box |
| 6 series: H61, H67, P67, Z68 | Z68, P67, H67, H61 | Works out of the box |
| 6 series business: B65, Q65, Q67 | Q67, Q65, B65 | Works out of the box |
Board makers publish a CPU support list for every model. Check it for your exact board before buying. Chipset details for LGA 1155.
Recommended GPU pairing
| Recommended tier | High-end 1080p (2011 era) |
|---|---|
| Example GPUs | GeForce GTX 570, Radeon HD 6970 |
| Target resolution | 1080p high settings (era-typical) |
Four Sandy Bridge cores with eight threads at up to 3.8 GHz, 16 PCIe 2.0 lanes and DDR3 fit high-end 2011 cards that targeted 1080p. The GTX 570 from December 2010 and the HD 6970 from December 2010 match that class from the same winter as this January 2011 processor.
This is a rough match for a new build at the stated resolution, not a limit. A faster card still works and helps at higher resolutions or in games that load the GPU more than the CPU. A slower card is fine for lighter games and office use. The exact balance shifts with the game, the settings and the resolution, so no percentage is given.
LGA 1155 at a glance
| Type | LGA, 1,155 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 37.5 × 37.5 mm |
| Introduced | January 2011 |
| Memory | DDR3 |
| Cooler mounting holes | 75 × 75 mm |
What the Core i7-2600K is
The Core i7-2600K is a four core, eight thread processor from Intel's 2nd Gen Core family, codenamed Sandy Bridge, released in January 2011. It was the unlocked top model of the mainstream line when the generation launched. It runs at 3.4 GHz base, boosts a single core to 3.8 GHz, and carries 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel rates the power at 95 W, and the chip uses a 32 nm process.
It includes Intel HD Graphics 3000 on the same die as the cores, which was one of the main new features of the generation. That means the processor can drive a monitor without a graphics card, subject to the chipset on the board. The K suffix marks the unlocked multiplier, and the 2600K became a common choice for overclockers.
The chip is old, and it is covered here as a reference for socket compatibility. The rules for pairing it with a board are more detailed than for most processors, because several chipsets differ in what they allow.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The Core i7-2600K goes into an LGA 1155 socket. It works on boards with 6 series chipsets (Z68, P67, H67, H61, B65, Q65 and Q67) because they were launched for it, and on 7 series boards (Z77, Z75, H77, B75, Q77 and Q75), which accept both Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge processors.
LGA 1155 and its predecessor LGA 1156 have the same size and similar names, but a processor for one does not fit the other. The notches are placed differently on purpose. If you find a Core i7-2600K and a Core i7-860 on a shelf side by side, they are not interchangeable.
Overclocking is limited by the chipset as well. K-series chips need a P67, Z68, Z77 or Z75 board to change the multiplier. P67 boards cannot use the processor's integrated graphics, while Z68 supports both overclocking and integrated graphics. On H67, H61 and the business chipsets the 2600K runs at stock speeds.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
The memory controller supports DDR3 at 1066 and 1333 MT/s, across two channels, up to 32 GB. Boards commonly run faster modules at their rated speed when an XMP profile is available, and overclocked memory is part of the appeal of this platform. The memory controller supports DDR3 only, not DDR4.
The processor provides 16 PCIe 2.0 lanes for graphics. The later Ivy Bridge chips on the same socket moved to PCIe 3.0, but the 2600K stays at 2.0. A modern graphics card will normally work in the slot, though at the lower link speed.
The 75 mm mounting holes are shared with LGA 1156, 1150, 1151 and 1200, so coolers from many generations fit. K-series chips do not ship with a cooler, so you need one of your own. The CPU cooler compatibility by socket guide lists the patterns.
Upgrade paths
On the socket the next step is a 3rd Gen Ivy Bridge processor, such as the Core i7-3770K, on a 7 series board or a 6 series board with a BIOS update. B65, Q65 and Q67 boards cannot run Ivy Bridge at all.
A larger jump needs a new platform. The nearest is LGA 1150, which is not compatible with LGA 1155 processors, followed by LGA 1151 and beyond. Moving to LGA 1700 brings DDR4 or DDR5 memory and a different cooler pattern.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Intel Core i7-2600K use?
It uses LGA 1155, written FCLGA1155 in Intel's documents.
Does the i7-2600K work on a Z68 motherboard?
Yes. Z68 was made for Sandy Bridge, and it supports both overclocking and the processor's integrated graphics.
Does the i7-2600K work on an LGA 1156 motherboard?
No. LGA 1156 and LGA 1155 have different notches and electrical layouts, so the processor does not fit.
Which chipsets allow overclocking the i7-2600K?
P67, Z68, Z77 and Z75. Other chipsets run the processor at stock speeds.
Does the i7-2600K support DDR4?
No. It supports DDR3 only.
Sources and verification
- Intel Core i7-2600K specifications (Intel)
- Intel Core i7-2600K compatible chipsets (Intel)
- LGA 1155 on Wikipedia
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .