Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core i7-2657M vs Intel Core i7-2960XM vs Intel Core i7-2760QM

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 i7-2960XM

► 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 i7-2760QM

► remove from comparison Intel 2760QM

The Intel Core i7-2760QM is a fast high-end quad core processor for laptops and successor of the slower clocked Core i7-2720QM. 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 i7-2760QM is now manufactured in 32nm and offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. Compared to the 2820QM, the 2760QM offers less level 3 cache (6 vs. 8MB) but should make this up due to the higher clock speed.

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 i7-2760QM 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 i7-2720QM (should be similar to the 2760QM). As the graphics card shares the fast last level cache, the processor is a bit slower with activated GPU.

The performance of the Core i7-2760QM is only slightly below the Core i7-2920XM (see benchmarks below). 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 2760QM 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 i7-2657MIntel Core i7-2960XMIntel Core i7-2760QM
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 i7-2637M1.7 - 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 i7-2960XM « 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 i7-2760QM « 2.4 - 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
Clock1600 - 2700 MHz2700 - 3700 MHz2400 - 3500 MHz
L1 Cache128 KB256 KB256 KB
L2 Cache512 KB1 MB1 MB
L3 Cache4 MB8 MB6 MB
Cores / Threads2 / 44 / 84 / 8
TDP17 Watt55 Watt45 Watt
Transistors624 Million995 Million995 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size149 mm2216 mm2216 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketBGA1023FCPGA988FCBGA1224, FCPGA988
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, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (350 - 1000 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$317 U.S.$1096 U.S.$378 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
1.9 Points (2%)
6.3 Points (8%)
min: 5.49     avg: 5.6     median: 5.6 (7%)     max: 5.66 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
3491 Points (21%)
4928 Points (30%)
min: 4451     avg: 4475     median: 4474 (27%)     max: 4499 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
6229 Points (5%)
18300 Points (13%)
min: 14760     avg: 15869     median: 16211 (12%)     max: 16293 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
7715 Points (5%)
22311 Points (15%)
min: 18048     avg: 19417     median: 19747 (14%)     max: 20126 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
4376 Points (5%)
6184 Points (8%)
min: 5471     avg: 5509     median: 5471.5 (7%)     max: 5623 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 2760QM +
294.3 s (3%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 2760QM +
8.2 s (2%)
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 2760QM +
4325 Points (7%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 2760QM +
28 fps (10%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 2760QM +
120.4 fps (28%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 2760QM +
0.3 GB/s (0%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 2760QM +
0.5 GB/s (8%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 2760QM +
3 GB/s (8%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
2546 Points (5%)
6820 Points (15%)
min: 5677     avg: 5930     median: 6000.5 (13%)     max: 6042 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
14 s (3%)
10 s (2%)
min: 11     avg: 11     median: 11 (2%)     max: 11.1 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
32 s (1%)
22 s (1%)
min: 25     avg: 25.3     median: 25 (1%)     max: 26 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
751 s (3%)
568 s (3%)
min: 604     avg: 610     median: 604 (3%)     max: 621 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
40570 MIPS (19%)
120900 MIPS (57%)
107700 MIPS (51%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
26000 MFLOPS (20%)
80500 MFLOPS (62%)
72380 MFLOPS (56%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
6.6 Points (85%)
7.6 Points (97%)
7.5 Points (96%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
7732 Points (7%)
23249 Points (20%)
min: 16044     avg: 19256     median: 20451 (18%)     max: 20494 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
3102 Points (8%)
8098 Points (22%)
min: 6050     avg: 6810     median: 7061.5 (19%)     max: 7068 Points

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2657M → 100% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2960XM → 218% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2760QM → 197% 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. 22:23:48

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

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

#2 checking url part for id 2841 +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 +0.042s ... 0.043s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.043s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 1579 +0.003s ... 0.046s

#8 got single benchmarks 1579 +0.007s ... 0.053s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 2846 +0.003s ... 0.055s

#10 got single benchmarks 2846 +0.009s ... 0.065s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 2841 +0.003s ... 0.067s

#12 got single benchmarks 2841 +0.021s ... 0.088s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.088s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.153s ... 0.241s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.241s

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)