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Intel Core i7-2720QM vs Intel Core i7-2960XM vs Intel Core i7-2860QM

Intel Core i7-2720QM

► remove from comparison Intel 2720QM

The Intel Core i7-2720QM is a fast high-end quad core processor for laptops. 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 i7-2720QM is now manufactured in 32nm and offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. Compared to the faster clocked 2820QM, the 2720QM offers less level 3 cache (6 vs. 8MB).

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 i7-2720QM 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 i7-2720QM is noticeable better than the old i7-720QM and even a bit faster than the fastest Clarksfield CPU the 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 2720QM can be found in the lower section of this page, or in our detailed review of the new Sandy Bridge quad core processors.

The relative high TDP rating of the 2720QM 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 i7-2960XM

► 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 i7-2860QM

► remove from comparison Intel 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.

ModelIntel Core i7-2720QMIntel Core i7-2960XMIntel Core i7-2860QM
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 i7-2720QM « 2.2 - 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
Intel Core i7-2960XM2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2860QM « 2.5 - 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
Clock2200 - 3300 MHz2700 - 3700 MHz2500 - 3600 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB256 KB256 KB
L2 Cache1 MB1 MB1 MB
L3 Cache6 MB8 MB8 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 84 / 84 / 8
TDP45 Watt55 Watt45 Watt
Transistors995 Million995 Million995 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size216 mm2216 mm2216 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketFCBGA1224, FCPGA988FCPGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR-1600 Memory Controller, 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
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$378 U.S.$1096 U.S.$568 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Performance Rating - CB R15 + R20 + 7-Zip + X265 + Blender + 3DM11 CPU - 2860QM
24.6 pt (34%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Multi Core
100%
1 2860QM +
2699 Points (3%)
Cinebench R23 - Cinebench R23 Single Core
100%
1 2860QM +
692 Points (29%)
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Single Core)
100%
1 2860QM +
268 Points (30%)
Cinebench R20 - Cinebench R20 CPU (Multi Core)
100%
1 2860QM +
1065 Points (3%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 2860QM +
533 Points (3%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 2860QM +
123 Points (37%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 5.12     avg: 5.3     median: 5.3 (7%)     max: 5.64 Points
6.3 Points (8%)
min: 5.84     avg: 5.9     median: 5.9 (8%)     max: 5.91 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 4114     avg: 4168     median: 4167 (25%)     max: 4219 Points
4928 Points (30%)
min: 4515     avg: 4576     median: 4576 (28%)     max: 4637 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 13961     avg: 14649     median: 14852 (11%)     max: 15301 Points
18300 Points (13%)
min: 16700     avg: 16810     median: 16809.5 (12%)     max: 16919 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 15819     avg: 17946     median: 18193 (13%)     max: 19061 Points
22311 Points (15%)
min: 20290     avg: 20328     median: 20328 (14%)     max: 20366 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 4204     avg: 5084     median: 5236 (6%)     max: 5299 Points
6184 Points (8%)
min: 5639     avg: 5720     median: 5719.5 (7%)     max: 5800 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 2720QM +
min: 410.2     avg: 423.1     median: 423.5 (5%)     max: 435.6 s
102%
1 2860QM +
278.1 s (3%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 2720QM +
min: 12.13     avg: 13     median: 13.1 (3%)     max: 13.73 s
101%
1 2860QM +
7.8 s (2%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Multli Thread 4 runs
100%
1 2860QM +
16361 MIPS (9%)
7-Zip 18.03 - 7-Zip 18.03 Single Thread 4 runs
100%
1 2860QM +
3875 MIPS (46%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 2860QM +
32 fps (11%)
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 2860QM +
131.7 fps (30%)
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - HWBOT x265 4k Preset
100%
1 2860QM +
2.8 fps (5%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 2860QM +
0.3 GB/s (0%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 2860QM +
0.5 GB/s (9%)
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 2860QM +
2.7 GB/s (7%)
Blender - Blender 2.79 BMW27 CPU *
100%
1 2860QM +
min: 985     avg: 991     median: 990.5 (7%)     max: 996 Seconds
R Benchmark 2.5 - R Benchmark 2.5 *
100%
1 2860QM +
min: 0.95     avg: 1     median: 1 (21%)     max: 0.991 sec
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 5133     avg: 5529     median: 5616 (12%)     max: 5772 Points
6820 Points (15%)
min: 6273     avg: 6323     median: 6323 (13%)     max: 6373 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 11     avg: 11.4     median: 11 (2%)     max: 12.3 s
10 s (2%)
min: 10     avg: 10.3     median: 10.3 (2%)     max: 10.57 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 26     avg: 27     median: 27 (1%)     max: 28.2 s
22 s (1%)
min: 23     avg: 23.5     median: 23.5 (1%)     max: 23.94 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 635     avg: 650     median: 647 (3%)     max: 671 s
568 s (3%)
min: 587     avg: 590     median: 590 (3%)     max: 593 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
109640 MIPS (52%)
120900 MIPS (57%)
min: 111300     avg: 115310     median: 115310 (55%)     max: 119320 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
66400 MFLOPS (51%)
80500 MFLOPS (62%)
min: 72360     avg: 73330     median: 73330 (56%)     max: 74300 MFLOPS
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
7.5 Points (96%)
7.6 Points (97%)
7.6 Points (97%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 11457     avg: 17984     median: 18725 (16%)     max: 19716 Points
23249 Points (20%)
21417 Points (19%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 5473     avg: 6495     median: 6627 (18%)     max: 7334 Points
8098 Points (22%)
7590 Points (21%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 2720QM +
36234 Points (29%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 2720QM +
5494 Points (14%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 2720QM +
7558 Points (13%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 2860QM +
min: 714     avg: 733     median: 732.5 (31%)     max: 751 Points
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2860QM +
min: 2832     avg: 2833     median: 2832.5 (5%)     max: 2833 Points
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 2860QM +
756 Points (3%)
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2860QM +
2866 Points (9%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 2860QM +
min: 3439     avg: 3474     median: 3473.5 (35%)     max: 3508 Points
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2860QM +
min: 11209     avg: 11222     median: 11222 (13%)     max: 11235 Points
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
100%
1 2860QM +
1347 ms (2%)
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
100%
1 2860QM +
136 Points (28%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2720QM → 100% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2960XM → 115% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2860QM → 108% 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. 15:47:59

#0 checking url part for id 1499 +0s ... 0s

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

#2 checking url part for id 2844 +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 +0.048s ... 0.049s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.05s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 1499 +0.003s ... 0.052s

#8 got single benchmarks 1499 +0.042s ... 0.094s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 2846 +0.002s ... 0.097s

#10 got single benchmarks 2846 +0.009s ... 0.106s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 2844 +0.017s ... 0.123s

#12 got single benchmarks 2844 +0.01s ... 0.133s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.133s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.208s ... 0.342s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.342s

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