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Intel Core i7-2620M vs Intel Core i7-2960XM vs Intel Core i7-2670QM

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 i7-2960XM

► remove from comparison Intel 2960XM

The Intel Core i7-2960XM is the fastest quad-core processor for laptops in Q3-2011 and successor to the Core i7-2920XM. Due to the Extreme Edition branding, the CPU should be easy to overclock (unlocked multiplicator). 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 i7-2960XM is now manufactured in 32nm, offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. Compared to the slower clocked 2860QM, the 2960XM is specified with a higher TDP.

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements are the new 265Bit 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 Core i7-2960XM 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 in the i7-2920XM (therefore it should be similar or faster in the 2960XM). As the graphics card shares the fast last level cache, the processor is a bit slower with activated GPU.

Due to the high Turbo Boost, large L3 Cache, and Hyperthreading, the performance of the Core i7-2960XM is only slightly lower than the desktop Core i7-2600K. In 2011 it is the fastest mobile processors for laptops. Therefore, the performance should be sufficient for even the most demanding tasks like HD video editing or demanding 3D games.

The high TDP rating of the 2960XM enables the usage of the quad core only in large and heavy laptops (usually 15" and up). Compared to the previous generation (Clarkdale, e.g. Core i7-940XM) of quad-cores, however, the TDP improved, as the integrated GPU is now included.

Intel Core i7-2670QM

► remove from comparison Intel 2670QM

The Intel Core i7-2670QM is a fast quad core processor for laptops and successor to the popular i7-2630QM. 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 2630QM, the 2670QM offers higher base and turbo frequencies by 200MHz. Compared to the faster Core i7, the 2670QM does not feature the Trusted Execution and the VT-d functions.

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements are the new 265Bit AVX instructions, the improved Turbo 2.0 and the integration of the graphics card into the 32nm CPU core. 

Der i7-2630QM 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 2670QM it is clocked from  650-1100MHz (Turbo Boost). The Core i7-2675QM in comparison offers a higher Turbo Boost frequency of 1200MHz for the GPU part.

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

The performance of the Core i7-2670QM should be only slightly slower than the old Core i7-2720QM that offers only a slightly higher Turbo Boost frequencies. Therefore, even demanding applications and games should run without performance problems.

The quad core CPU is still rated at 45 Watt TDP but now the integrated graphics card is also included (compared to the old Clarksfield Quad Core processors).

ModelIntel Core i7-2620MIntel Core i7-2960XMIntel Core i7-2670QM
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 i7-2960XM « 2.7 - 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 i7-2657M1.6 - 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 i7-2670QM « 2.2 - 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 MHz2700 - 3700 MHz2200 - 3100 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB1 MB
L3 Cache4 MB8 MB6 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 84 / 8
TDP35 Watt55 Watt45 Watt
Transistors624 Million995 Million995 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size149 mm2216 mm2216 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C
SocketrPGA988B, BGA1023FCPGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR3-1066/1333 Memory Controller (max 8GB), HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization (VT-x)
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1100 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$346 U.S.$1096 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.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
6.3 Points (8%)
min: 4.85     avg: 5.1     median: 5.2 (7%)     max: 5.34 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 3532     avg: 4200     median: 4333 (26%)     max: 4384 Points
4928 Points (30%)
min: 3685     avg: 3879     median: 3899.5 (24%)     max: 3998 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 7650     avg: 9124     median: 9433 (7%)     max: 9632 Points
18300 Points (13%)
min: 14121     avg: 14804     median: 14842.5 (11%)     max: 15164 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 9634     avg: 11273     median: 11444 (8%)     max: 11711 Points
22311 Points (15%)
min: 17228     avg: 17967     median: 18076 (13%)     max: 18345 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 4462     avg: 5325     median: 5412 (7%)     max: 5479 Points
6184 Points (8%)
min: 4628     avg: 4823     median: 4848 (6%)     max: 4960 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 2620M +
min: 494     avg: 525     median: 505 (6%)     max: 594 s
102%
1 2670QM +
min: 303     avg: 321.9     median: 328.1 (4%)     max: 334.6 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 2670QM +
min: 9.5     avg: 10.4     median: 10.6 (2%)     max: 10.98 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 2670QM +
min: 4037     avg: 4149     median: 4140 (7%)     max: 4270 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 2670QM +
min: 26.32     avg: 26.6     median: 26.5 (9%)     max: 26.93 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 2670QM +
min: 71.7     avg: 100.8     median: 115.1 (27%)     max: 115.6 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 2670QM +
min: 0.25     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (0%)     max: 0.258 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 2670QM +
min: 0.443     avg: 0.4     median: 0.4 (8%)     max: 0.453 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 2670QM +
min: 2.5     avg: 2.6     median: 2.7 (7%)     max: 2.7 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 3039     avg: 3753     median: 3827 (8%)     max: 3884 Points
6820 Points (15%)
min: 4617     avg: 5333     median: 5400.5 (11%)     max: 5464 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
10 s (2%)
12 s (3%)
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
22 s (1%)
min: 27     avg: 28.1     median: 28 (1%)     max: 29 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
568 s (3%)
min: 665     avg: 677     median: 675 (3%)     max: 693 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
min: 53030     avg: 55805     median: 53870 (26%)     max: 62450 MIPS
120900 MIPS (57%)
min: 89820     avg: 99008     median: 100470 (48%)     max: 103490 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
min: 37790     avg: 37923     median: 37950 (29%)     max: 38000 MFLOPS
80500 MFLOPS (62%)
min: 65680     avg: 66132     median: 66000 (51%)     max: 66630 MFLOPS
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
min: 6.9     avg: 7.1     median: 7.1 (91%)     max: 7.1 Points
7.6 Points (97%)
7.5 Points (96%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 8605     avg: 11161     median: 10271 (9%)     max: 21984 Points
23249 Points (20%)
min: 16224     avg: 18129     median: 18363 (16%)     max: 18863 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 3296     avg: 3947     median: 4060 (11%)     max: 4362 Points
8098 Points (22%)
min: 6064     avg: 6437     median: 6490 (18%)     max: 6712 Points

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

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2960XM → 162% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2670QM → 136% 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 29. 12:00:07

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

#1 checking url part for id 2846 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 2850 +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 +0.038s ... 0.039s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.039s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 1497 +0.002s ... 0.041s

#8 got single benchmarks 1497 +0.072s ... 0.113s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 2846 +0.003s ... 0.116s

#10 got single benchmarks 2846 +0.009s ... 0.125s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 2850 +0.002s ... 0.127s

#12 got single benchmarks 2850 +0.068s ... 0.196s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.196s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.144s ... 0.34s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.34s

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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)