Performance comparison: which is faster?
Core i7-3770K (Intel, 2012) and Core i5-7600 (Intel, 2017) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: i7-3770K is about 5.9% faster
The sockets differ (LGA1155 / LGA1151), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | i7-3770K | i5-7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 9,000 | 8,500 |
| Generation | 3rd Gen | 7th Gen |
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1151 |
| Release Year | 2012 | 2017 |
| Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce GTX 1660 | Radeon RX 5500 XT |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | i7-3770K |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | i5-7600 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
i7-3770K is about 5.9% higher by score (i7-3770K: 9000 points / i5-7600: 8500 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
i7-3770K is 3rd Gen, while i5-7600 is 7th Gen.The sockets differ (LGA1155 / LGA1151), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce GTX 1660 pairs well with i7-3770K and Radeon RX 5500 XT pairs well with i5-7600. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
