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Intel Core i7-2637M vs Intel Core i7-2920XM vs Intel Core i7-2960XM

Intel Core i7-2637M

► remove from comparison

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 i7-2920XM

► remove from comparison Intel 2920XM

The Intel Core i7-2920XM is the fastest quad-core processor for laptops in Q1-2011. 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 i7-2920XM is now manufactured in 32nm, offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. Compared to the slower clocked 2820QM, the 2920XM is specified with a higher TDP.

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 Core i7-2920XM 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.

Due to the high Turbo Boost and Hyperthreading, the performance of the Core i7-2920XM can reach levels of the fast desktop Core i5-2500K processor. Compared to the previous generation, the i7-2920XM is up to 42% faster than the old Core i7-940XM processor. Therefore, the performance should be sufficient for even the most demanding tasks like HD video editing or 3D games. Extensive benchmarks can be found at the end of this page and in our review of the new Sandy Bridge quad core processors.

The high TDP rating of the 2920XM enables the usage of the quad core only in large and heavy laptops (usually 15" and up). Compared to the previous generation of quad-cores, however, the TDP improved, as the integrated GPU is now included.

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.

ModelIntel Core i7-2637MIntel Core i7-2920XMIntel Core i7-2960XM
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 i7-2620M2.7 - 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 i7-2637M « 1.7 - 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 i7-2920XM « 2.5 - 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 i7-2960XM « 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
Clock1700 - 2800 MHz2500 - 3500 MHz2700 - 3700 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB1 MB
L3 Cache4 MB8 MB8 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 84 / 8
TDP17 Watt55 Watt55 Watt
Transistors624 Million995 Million995 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size149 mm2216 mm2216 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketBGA1023FCPGA988FCPGA988
FeaturesTurbo 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), DDR3-1066/1333/1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (350 - 1200 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$289 U.S.$1096 U.S.$1096 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 2637M +
201 Points (1%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 2637M +
93 Points (28%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 2.19     avg: 2.2     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.25 Points
min: 5.7     avg: 6     median: 6 (8%)     max: 6.2 Points
6.3 Points (8%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 2637M +
1.1 Points (27%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 3529     avg: 3578     median: 3600 (22%)     max: 3605 Points
min: 4282     avg: 4387     median: 4378.5 (26%)     max: 4507 Points
4928 Points (30%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 7046     avg: 7069     median: 7074 (5%)     max: 7086 Points
min: 16067     avg: 16949     median: 17187.5 (12%)     max: 17355 Points
18300 Points (13%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 8430     avg: 8639     median: 8722 (6%)     max: 8765 Points
min: 19727     avg: 20763     median: 20959 (15%)     max: 21407 Points
22311 Points (15%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 4464     avg: 4469     median: 4471 (5%)     max: 4472 Points
min: 5343     avg: 5525     median: 5565 (7%)     max: 5628 Points
6184 Points (8%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 2637M +
min: 691     avg: 744     median: 765 (9%)     max: 776 s
106%
1 2920XM +
min: 264.9     avg: 276.9     median: 273.8 (3%)     max: 295 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 2637M +
min: 20.3     avg: 21.2     median: 21.7 (4%)     max: 21.7 s
103%
1 2920XM +
min: 8.29     avg: 8.5     median: 8.4 (2%)     max: 8.9 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 2637M +
min: 2286     avg: 2325     median: 2324.5 (4%)     max: 2363 Points
169%
1 2920XM +
min: 3296     avg: 3923     median: 3923 (6%)     max: 4550 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 2637M +
min: 11.95     avg: 12.1     median: 12.1 (4%)     max: 12.23 fps
255%
1 2920XM +
min: 30.4     avg: 30.8     median: 30.8 (11%)     max: 31.2 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 2637M +
min: 68.5     avg: 70.1     median: 69.5 (16%)     max: 72.2 fps
189%
1 2920XM +
min: 129.4     avg: 131.4     median: 131.4 (30%)     max: 133.4 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 2637M +
min: 0.112     avg: 0.1     median: 0.1 (0%)     max: 0.116 GB/s
258%
1 2920XM +
min: 0.293     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (0%)     max: 0.296 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 2637M +
min: 0.196     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (3%)     max: 0.2 GB/s
260%
1 2920XM +
min: 0.508     avg: 0.5     median: 0.5 (9%)     max: 0.521 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 2637M +
1.2 GB/s (3%)
246%
1 2920XM +
min: 2.8     avg: 3     median: 3 (8%)     max: 3.1 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 2814     avg: 2836     median: 2834 (6%)     max: 2860 Points
min: 5944     avg: 6100     median: 6131 (13%)     max: 6206 Points
6820 Points (15%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 13.7     avg: 14     median: 14 (3%)     max: 14.32 s
min: 10     avg: 10.5     median: 10 (2%)     max: 11.7 s
10 s (2%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 31.9     avg: 32.3     median: 32 (1%)     max: 33.02 s
min: 24     avg: 24.6     median: 24 (1%)     max: 25.9 s
22 s (1%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 735     avg: 755     median: 758 (3%)     max: 772 s
min: 580     avg: 600     median: 594 (3%)     max: 620 s
568 s (3%)
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
45450 MIPS (22%)
min: 118300     avg: 121717     median: 121780 (58%)     max: 125070 MIPS
120900 MIPS (57%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
29870 MFLOPS (23%)
min: 71200     avg: 74190     median: 75680 (58%)     max: 75690 MFLOPS
80500 MFLOPS (62%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
6.9 Points (88%)
min: 7.5     avg: 7.6     median: 7.6 (97%)     max: 7.6 Points
7.6 Points (97%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 7546     avg: 7733     median: 7552 (7%)     max: 8101 Points
min: 20540     avg: 21107     median: 21148 (19%)     max: 21592 Points
23249 Points (20%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
3258 Points (9%)
min: 7804     avg: 7915     median: 7914.5 (21%)     max: 8025 Points
8098 Points (22%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 2637M +
27910 Points (23%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
100%
1 2637M +
29096 Points (25%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 2637M +
2382 Points (6%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 2637M +
3294 Points (6%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 2637M +
2769 Points (28%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2637M +
5048 Points (6%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 2637M +
2703 Points (37%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2637M +
4800 Points (12%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2637M +
4566 Points (8%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 2637M +
2288 Points (45%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
100%
1 2637M +
16640 Points (15%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 2637M +
29.1 Watt (5%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 2637M +
30.5 Watt (6%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2637M → 100% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2920XM → 191% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2960XM → 201% 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. 09:27:29

#0 checking url part for id 2736 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 1503 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 2846 +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 +0.045s ... 0.046s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.047s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 2736 +0.004s ... 0.05s

#8 got single benchmarks 2736 +0.035s ... 0.085s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 1503 +0.003s ... 0.087s

#10 got single benchmarks 1503 +0.025s ... 0.112s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 2846 +0.002s ... 0.114s

#12 got single benchmarks 2846 +0.009s ... 0.123s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.123s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.221s ... 0.344s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.344s

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