Intel Core i7-2637M vs Intel Core i7-2860QM vs Intel Core i7-2820QM

Intel Core i7-2637M

The Intel Core i7-2637M is power efficient ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processor for thin and light laptops. The base frequency of 1.7 GHz is relatively low, but due to Turbo Boost 2.0, the CPU may clock up to 2.8 GHz (on core loaded, 2.5 GHz with both cores loaded). However, this depends on the cooling and power consumption of the laptop. Due to HyperThreading, the i7-2637M is able to handle 4 threads in parallel. Compared to the slower i7-2617M, the 2637M offers a higher clock speed (processor core and turbo, graphics turbo).

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most notable 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 1200MHz (Turbo Boost). Due to the slower clock rate without the Turbo, compared to HD Graphics 3000 in 35W and 45W processors (usually clocked at 650 base speed 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. Thanks to the high Turbo Boost frequencies, the performance should be similar to the Core i3-2310M. 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 2637M CPU in small subnotebooks.

Intel Core i7-2860QM

The Intel Core i7-2860QM is a fast high-end quad core processor for laptops and successor to the Core i7-2820QM. At the time of announcement (Sept. 2011) it was the fastest 45 Watt processor and even beats the older Core 7-2920XM. 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 i7-2860QM is now manufactured in 32nm and offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. Compared to the slower clocked 2760QM, the 2860QM also offers more level 3 cache (8 vs. 6MB).

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 i7-2860QM 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 i7-2820QM (which should be similar to the 2860QM). As the graphics card shares the fast last level cache, the processor is a bit slower with activated GPU.

The performance of the Core i7-2860QM should be above the former fastest mobile CPU, the Core i7-2920XM. 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 relative high TDP rating of the 2860QM 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.

Intel Core i7-2820QM