Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core i7-2620M vs Intel Core i7-2657M vs Intel Core i7-2720QM

Intel Core i7-2620M

► remove from comparison Intel 2620M

The Intel Core i7-2620M is the fastest dual core processor at the time of introduction in Q1 2011. It is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and offers Hyperthreading to handle 4 threads at once (for a better usage of the pipeline). Compared to the slower Core i5, the i7 offers a larger last level cache of 4MB. The base clock speed is 2.7 GHz but due to Turbo Boost it can reach 3.2 GHz (2 cores active) and 3.4 GHz (1 core active).

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements are the new 256Bit AVX instructions, the improved Turbo 2.0 and the integration of the graphics card into the 32nm CPU core. 

Der i7-2620M offers an integrated graphics card ( Intel HD Graphics 3000) which is clearly faster then the older Intel HD Graphics in the Arrandale CPUs. As the new GPU is included in the CPU, it is also manufactured in 32nm and shares the fast level 3 cache with the CPU cores (using a new ring bus). In the 2620M it is clocked from 650-1300MHz (Turbo Boost).

Furthermore, an improved dual-channel DDR3 memory controller is included on the CPU die that is used by the CPU and GPU part.

Due to the improved architecture and the new Turbo Boost 2.0, the average performance of the Core i7-2620M is higher than a similar clocked Arrandale Core i7. In synthetic benchmarks the performance ranges from the old Core i7-620M to the Core i7-820QM quad core processor. On average it should be on a level of the fast Core i7-640M.

The 35W TDP rating includes the integrated GPU and memory controller.

Intel Core i7-2657M

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i7-2657M is power efficient ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processor for thin and light laptops. The base frequency of 1.6 GHz is relatively low, but due to Turbo Boost 2.0, the CPU may clock up to 2.7 GHz (on core loaded, 2.4 GHz with both cores loaded). However, this depends on the cooling and power consumption of the laptop. Due to HyperThreading, the i7-2657M is able to handle 4 threads in parallel. Compared to the slower i7-2617M, the 2657M offers a higher clock speed (processor core and turbo, graphics turbo).

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements is the improved Turbo 2.0 and the integration of the graphics card into the 32nm CPU core. 

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 clocked at 350 or 1000MHz (Turbo Boost). Due to the slower clock rate, compared to HD Graphics 3000 in 35W and 45W processors (usually clocked at 650-1100/1300MHz in non LV processors), the performance should be noticeable lower.

The performance of the CPU should be a bit higher than a similar clocked Arrandale Core i5. In our benchmarks (see below), the ULV processor was as fast as a Core i3-2310M due to the high Turbo Boost frequencies. However, the laptop cooling system has to keep the processor relatively cool for the Turbo Boost to work often.

The TDP of 17W (includes the integrated GPU and memory controller) allows the use of the 2657M CPU in small subnotebooks.

Intel Core i7-2720QM

► remove from comparison Intel 2720QM

The Intel Core i7-2720QM is a fast high-end quad core processor for laptops. It is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and offers Hyperthreading to handle 8 threads at once (for a better usage of the pipeline). Compared to the previous Clarksdale quad-cores, the i7-2720QM is now manufactured in 32nm and offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. Compared to the faster clocked 2820QM, the 2720QM offers less level 3 cache (6 vs. 8MB).

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements are the new 256Bit AVX instructions, the improved Turbo Boost and the integration of the graphics card into the 32nm CPU core. Furthermore, the integrated memory controller was improved and supports up to 8 GB DDR3-1333.

The i7-2720QM offers an integrated graphics card (Intel HD Graphics 3000) which proved to be clearly faster than the old Intel HD Graphics in the Arrandale CPUs and on a level with entry level dedicated graphics cards like the GeForce 310M. The HD Graphics 3000 also supports Turbo Boost and clocks between 650 MHz and 1300 MHz. As the graphics card shares the fast last level cache, the processor is a bit slower with activated GPU.

The performance of the Core i7-2720QM is noticeable better than the old i7-720QM and even a bit faster than the fastest Clarksfield CPU the Core i7-940XM quad core. Therefore, the performance should be sufficient for modern 3D games and demanding applications. Thanks to the fast Turbo Boost 2.0 even single threaded applications run very fast. The detailed benchmark results of the 2720QM can be found in the lower section of this page, or in our detailed review of the new Sandy Bridge quad core processors.

The relative high TDP rating of the 2720QM of 45 Watt enables the usage of the quad core only in 15" laptops and up. However, compared to the previous generation of quad-cores, the TDP improved, as the integrated GPU is now included.

ModelIntel Core i7-2620MIntel Core i7-2657MIntel Core i7-2720QM
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7Intel Core i7
CodenameSandy BridgeSandy BridgeSandy Bridge
Series: Core i7 Sandy Bridge
Intel Core i7-2960XM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2860QM2.5 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2920XM2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2760QM2.4 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2820QM2.3 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2720QM2.2 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2675QM2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2670QM2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2635QM2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2630QM2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2640M2.8 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2620M « 2.7 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2649M2.3 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2629M2.1 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2677M1.8 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2637M1.7 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2657M1.6 - 2.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2617M1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2960XM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2860QM2.5 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2920XM2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2760QM2.4 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2820QM2.3 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2720QM2.2 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2675QM2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2670QM2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2635QM2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2630QM2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2640M2.8 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2620M2.7 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2649M2.3 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2629M2.1 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2677M1.8 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2637M1.7 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2657M « 1.6 - 2.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2617M1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2960XM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2860QM2.5 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2920XM2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2760QM2.4 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2820QM2.3 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2720QM « 2.2 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2675QM2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2670QM2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2635QM2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2630QM2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2640M2.8 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2620M2.7 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2649M2.3 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2629M2.1 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2677M1.8 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2637M1.7 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2657M1.6 - 2.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2617M1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock2700 - 3400 MHz1600 - 2700 MHz2200 - 3300 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB128 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB512 KB1 MB
L3 Cache4 MB4 MB6 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 42 / 44 / 8
TDP35 Watt17 Watt45 Watt
Transistors624 Million624 Million995 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size149 mm2149 mm2216 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketrPGA988B, BGA1023BGA1023FCBGA1224, FCPGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR3-1066/1333 Memory Controller (max 8GB), HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationTurbo Boost 2.0, Hyper-Threading, Virtualization VT-x, Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d), Trusted Execution, AES, Intel 64, Anti-Theft, My WiFi, Idle States, Enhanced SpeedStep, Thermal Monitorin, Execute Disable BitHD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (350 - 1000 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$346 U.S.$317 U.S.$378 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 2.6     avg: 3     median: 3.1 (4%)     max: 3.11 Points
1.9 Points (2%)
min: 5.12     avg: 5.3     median: 5.3 (7%)     max: 5.64 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 3532     avg: 4200     median: 4333 (26%)     max: 4384 Points
3491 Points (21%)
min: 4114     avg: 4168     median: 4167 (25%)     max: 4219 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 7650     avg: 9124     median: 9433 (7%)     max: 9632 Points
6229 Points (5%)
min: 13961     avg: 14649     median: 14852 (11%)     max: 15301 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 9634     avg: 11273     median: 11444 (8%)     max: 11711 Points
7715 Points (5%)
min: 15819     avg: 17946     median: 18193 (13%)     max: 19061 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 4462     avg: 5325     median: 5412 (7%)     max: 5479 Points
4376 Points (5%)
min: 4204     avg: 5084     median: 5236 (6%)     max: 5299 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 2620M +
min: 494     avg: 525     median: 505 (6%)     max: 594 s
101%
1 2720QM +
min: 410.2     avg: 423.1     median: 423.5 (5%)     max: 435.6 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 2620M +
min: 11.56     avg: 16.3     median: 16.2 (3%)     max: 19.4 s
101%
1 2720QM +
min: 12.13     avg: 13     median: 13.1 (3%)     max: 13.73 s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 3039     avg: 3753     median: 3827 (8%)     max: 3884 Points
2546 Points (5%)
min: 5133     avg: 5529     median: 5616 (12%)     max: 5772 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 11     avg: 11.5     median: 11 (2%)     max: 14.3 s
14 s (3%)
min: 11     avg: 11.4     median: 11 (2%)     max: 12.3 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 26     avg: 27.3     median: 27 (1%)     max: 32.9 s
32 s (1%)
min: 26     avg: 27     median: 27 (1%)     max: 28.2 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 620     avg: 685     median: 640 (3%)     max: 1098 s
751 s (3%)
min: 635     avg: 650     median: 647 (3%)     max: 671 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
min: 53030     avg: 55805     median: 53870 (26%)     max: 62450 MIPS
40570 MIPS (19%)
109640 MIPS (52%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
min: 37790     avg: 37923     median: 37950 (29%)     max: 38000 MFLOPS
26000 MFLOPS (20%)
66400 MFLOPS (51%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
min: 6.9     avg: 7.1     median: 7.1 (91%)     max: 7.1 Points
6.6 Points (85%)
7.5 Points (96%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 8605     avg: 11161     median: 10271 (9%)     max: 21984 Points
7732 Points (7%)
min: 11457     avg: 17984     median: 18725 (16%)     max: 19716 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 3296     avg: 3947     median: 4060 (11%)     max: 4362 Points
3102 Points (8%)
min: 5473     avg: 6495     median: 6627 (18%)     max: 7334 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 2720QM +
36234 Points (29%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 2720QM +
5494 Points (14%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 2720QM +
7558 Points (13%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2620M → 100% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2657M → 79% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2720QM → 140% n=14

- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation

v1.26
log 28. 22:24:02

#0 checking url part for id 1497 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 1579 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 1499 +0s ... 0s

#3 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#4 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Thu, 28 Mar 2024 05:35:32 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.032s ... 0.033s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.033s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 1497 +0.002s ... 0.035s

#8 got single benchmarks 1497 +0.072s ... 0.108s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 1579 +0.003s ... 0.11s

#10 got single benchmarks 1579 +0.007s ... 0.117s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 1499 +0.003s ... 0.12s

#12 got single benchmarks 1499 +0.041s ... 0.161s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.161s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.152s ... 0.313s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.313s

Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Benchmarks / Tech > Processor Comparison - Head 2 Head
Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)