Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core i7-2640M vs Intel Core i7-2820QM

Intel Core i7-2640M

► remove from comparison Intel 2640M

The Intel Core i7-2640M is the fastest dual core processor at the time of introduction in Q3 2011 and successor of the slower clocked i7-2620M. 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 2.8 GHz but due to Turbo Boost it can reach 3.3 GHz (2 cores active) and 3.5 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 i7-2640M 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), and in the 2640M it should be similar.

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 i7-2640M is higher than a similar clocked Arrandale Core i7 dual core. The performance should even excel the old high-end quad core models like the Core i7-820QM.

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

Intel Core i7-2820QM

► remove from comparison Intel 2820QM

The Intel Core i7-2820QM is a fast high-end quad core processor for laptops. At the time of announcement (Jan. 2011) it was the fastest 45 Watt processor. 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 i7-2820QM is now manufactured in 32nm and offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. Compared to the slower clocked 2720QM, the 2820QM 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 i7-2820QM 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 i7-2820QM is noticeable better (e.g. Cinebench versions) than the previous generation 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 2820QM can be found in the lower section of this page.

The relative high TDP rating of the 2820QM 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 i7-2640MIntel Core i7-2820QM
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7
CodenameSandy BridgeSandy Bridge
Series: Core i7 Sandy Bridge
Intel Core i7-2960XM compare2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2860QM compare2.5 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2920XM compare2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2760QM compare2.4 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2820QM2.3 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2720QM compare2.2 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2675QM compare2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2670QM compare2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2635QM compare2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2630QM compare2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2640M « 2.8 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2620M compare2.7 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2649M compare2.3 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2629M compare2.1 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2677M compare1.8 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2637M compare1.7 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2657M compare1.6 - 2.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2617M compare1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2960XM compare2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2860QM compare2.5 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2920XM compare2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2760QM compare2.4 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2820QM « 2.3 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2720QM compare2.2 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2675QM compare2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2670QM compare2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2635QM compare2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2630QM compare2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2640M2.8 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2620M compare2.7 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2649M compare2.3 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2629M compare2.1 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2677M compare1.8 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2637M compare1.7 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2657M compare1.6 - 2.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2617M compare1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock2800 - 3500 MHz2300 - 3400 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB
L3 Cache4 MB8 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 8
TDP35 Watt45 Watt
Transistors624 Million995 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm
Die Size149 mm2216 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000, DDR3-1066/1333 Memory Controller (max 8GB), HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR-1066/1333/1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)
Architecturex86x86
$346 U.S.$568 U.S.
Announced
SocketFCBGA1224, FCPGA988
Manufacturerark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 3.07     avg: 3.1     median: 3.2 (4%)     max: 3.2 Points
min: 4.41     avg: 5.2     median: 5.5 (7%)     max: 5.81 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 2640M +
1.4 Points (34%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 4009     avg: 4383     median: 4443 (27%)     max: 4506 Points
min: 4200     avg: 4274     median: 4249.5 (26%)     max: 4365 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 9691     avg: 9766     median: 9778 (7%)     max: 9833 Points
min: 12641     avg: 14782     median: 15043.5 (11%)     max: 16105 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 11067     avg: 11767     median: 11874 (8%)     max: 12037 Points
min: 16327     avg: 18631     median: 19316 (13%)     max: 20393 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 5445     avg: 5549     median: 5534 (7%)     max: 5665 Points
min: 5232     avg: 5368     median: 5372 (7%)     max: 5468 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 478.5     avg: 493.6     median: 489 (6%)     max: 524 s
min: 281     avg: 366.3     median: 360.2 (4%)     max: 458.6 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 15     avg: 15.5     median: 15.1 (3%)     max: 16.61 s
min: 8.27     avg: 10.7     median: 10 (2%)     max: 13.64 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 2640M +
min: 2555     avg: 2632     median: 2620 (4%)     max: 2733 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 2640M +
min: 16.38     avg: 16.9     median: 17 (6%)     max: 17.21 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 2640M +
min: 88.7     avg: 91     median: 89.3 (21%)     max: 95 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 2640M +
min: 0.124     avg: 0.1     median: 0.1 (0%)     max: 0.152 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 2640M +
min: 0.198     avg: 0.2     median: 0.3 (5%)     max: 0.27 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 2640M +
1.6 GB/s (4%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 3882     avg: 3934     median: 3927 (8%)     max: 3978 Points
min: 4427     avg: 5486     median: 5818.5 (12%)     max: 5923 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 11     avg: 11.2     median: 11 (2%)     max: 11.66 s
min: 11     avg: 11.2     median: 11 (2%)     max: 11.6 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 25     avg: 26     median: 26 (1%)     max: 27.04 s
min: 23.1     avg: 29.7     median: 25 (1%)     max: 54 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 604     avg: 626     median: 634 (3%)     max: 639 s
min: 618     avg: 628     median: 625 (3%)     max: 644 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
min: 64300     avg: 64523     median: 64545 (31%)     max: 64700 MIPS
min: 83000     avg: 90497     median: 87000 (41%)     max: 101490 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
min: 39000     avg: 39255     median: 39135 (30%)     max: 39750 MFLOPS
min: 23590     avg: 53623     median: 66280 (51%)     max: 71000 MFLOPS
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
100%
1 2820QM +
13842 Points (29%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
min: 7     avg: 7.2     median: 7.1 (91%)     max: 7.6 Points
min: 7.4     avg: 7.5     median: 7.5 (96%)     max: 7.5 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 10127     avg: 10509     median: 10559 (9%)     max: 10838 Points
min: 16115     avg: 18441     median: 18520 (16%)     max: 20526 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 3902     avg: 4140     median: 4172 (11%)     max: 4320 Points
min: 5165     avg: 6335     median: 6724 (18%)     max: 7245 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 2640M +
26569 Points (22%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 2640M +
2876 Points (7%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Stream
100%
1 2640M +
7873 Points (64%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Memory
100%
1 2640M +
6847 Points (62%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Floating Point
100%
1 2640M +
7293 Points (14%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Integer
100%
1 2640M +
6298 Points (13%)
Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Geekbench Total Score
100%
1 2640M +
6913 Points (18%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2640M → 100% n=16

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2820QM → 130% n=16

- 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

Add one or more devices and compare

In the following list you can select (and also search for) devices that should be added to the comparison. You can select more than one device.

restrict list:

show all (including archived), 2024, 2023
v1.26
log 19. 12:48:09

#0 checking url part for id 2839 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 1501 +0s ... 0s

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

#3 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Tue, 19 Mar 2024 05:32:10 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#4 composed specs +0.026s ... 0.027s

#5 did output specs +0s ... 0.027s

#6 getting avg benchmarks for device 2839 +0.003s ... 0.03s

#7 got single benchmarks 2839 +0.031s ... 0.061s

#8 getting avg benchmarks for device 1501 +0.003s ... 0.064s

#9 got single benchmarks 1501 +0.028s ... 0.092s

#10 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.092s

#11 min, max, avg, median took s +0.15s ... 0.243s

#12 return log +0.022s ... 0.265s

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)