Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core i7-2820QM vs Intel Core i7-2657M vs Intel Core i7-2630QM

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.

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 i7-2630QM

► remove from comparison Intel 2630QM

The Intel Core i7-2630QM is a fast 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 i7-2630QM is now manufactured in 32nm and offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. The difference to the similar 2635QM is the slower Turbo Boost clock rate for the integrated GPU (1100MHz versus 1300MHz) and the different package (rPGA versus BGA). Compared to the faster Core i7, the 2630QM does not feature the Trusted Execution and the VT-d functions.

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most noteable improvements are the new 265Bit AVX instructions, the improved Turbo 2.0 and the integration of the graphics card into the 32nm CPU core. 

Der i7-2630QM 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 2630QM it is clocked from 650-1100MHz (Turbo Boost).

Furthermore, an improved dual-channel DDR3 memory controller is included on the CPU die that is used by the CPU and GPU part.

The performance of the Core i7-2630QM should be about 10-15% faster than a similar clocked Clarksfield Core i7 (see first tests by Anandtech). Therefore, the 2630QM should be on a level (or even faster) than a Core i7-920XM Quad-Core.

The quad core CPU is still rated at 45 Watt TDP but now the integrated graphics card is also included (compared to the old Clarksfield Quad Core processors).

ModelIntel Core i7-2820QMIntel Core i7-2657MIntel Core i7-2630QM
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 i7-2820QM « 2.3 - 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 i7-2760QM2.4 - 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 i7-2960XM2.7 - 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 i7-2630QM « 2 - 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
Clock2300 - 3400 MHz1600 - 2700 MHz2000 - 2900 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB128 KB256 KB
L2 Cache1 MB512 KB1 MB
L3 Cache8 MB4 MB6 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 82 / 44 / 8
TDP45 Watt17 Watt45 Watt
Transistors995 Million624 Million995 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size216 mm2149 mm2216 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketFCBGA1224, FCPGA988BGA1023FCPGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR-1066/1333/1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationTurbo 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 (650-1100MHz), DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization (VT-x)
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (350 - 1000 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1100 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$568 U.S.$317 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 4.41     avg: 5.2     median: 5.5 (7%)     max: 5.81 Points
1.9 Points (2%)
min: 3.89     avg: 4.7     median: 4.8 (6%)     max: 5.04 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 4200     avg: 4274     median: 4249.5 (26%)     max: 4365 Points
3491 Points (21%)
min: 3449     avg: 3653     median: 3662 (22%)     max: 3772 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 12641     avg: 14782     median: 15043.5 (11%)     max: 16105 Points
6229 Points (5%)
min: 11111     avg: 13692     median: 13833 (10%)     max: 14394 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 16327     avg: 18631     median: 19316 (13%)     max: 20393 Points
7715 Points (5%)
min: 13512     avg: 16643     median: 16803 (12%)     max: 17347 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 5232     avg: 5368     median: 5372 (7%)     max: 5468 Points
4376 Points (5%)
min: 4325     avg: 4558     median: 4569 (6%)     max: 4679 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 2820QM +
min: 281     avg: 366.3     median: 360.2 (4%)     max: 458.6 s
100%
1 2630QM +
min: 313.2     avg: 331.9     median: 325.6 (4%)     max: 435 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 2820QM +
min: 8.27     avg: 10.7     median: 10 (2%)     max: 13.64 s
100%
1 2630QM +
min: 9.7     avg: 10.3     median: 10.1 (2%)     max: 12.5 s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 4427     avg: 5486     median: 5818.5 (12%)     max: 5923 Points
2546 Points (5%)
min: 4050     avg: 4912     median: 5039 (11%)     max: 5127 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 11     avg: 11.2     median: 11 (2%)     max: 11.6 s
14 s (3%)
min: 13     avg: 13.2     median: 13 (3%)     max: 14.2 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 23.1     avg: 29.7     median: 25 (1%)     max: 54 s
32 s (1%)
min: 29     avg: 30.4     median: 30.2 (1%)     max: 32 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 618     avg: 628     median: 625 (3%)     max: 644 s
751 s (3%)
min: 713     avg: 730     median: 728.5 (3%)     max: 778 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
min: 83000     avg: 90497     median: 87000 (41%)     max: 101490 MIPS
40570 MIPS (19%)
98320 MIPS (47%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
min: 23590     avg: 53623     median: 66280 (51%)     max: 71000 MFLOPS
26000 MFLOPS (20%)
min: 59250     avg: 60255     median: 60255 (46%)     max: 61260 MFLOPS
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
100%
1 2820QM +
13842 Points (29%)
76%
1 2630QM +
min: 9075     avg: 10547     median: 10547 (22%)     max: 12019 Points
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
min: 7.4     avg: 7.5     median: 7.5 (96%)     max: 7.5 Points
6.6 Points (85%)
min: 7.4     avg: 7.4     median: 7.4 (95%)     max: 7.5 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 16115     avg: 18441     median: 18520 (16%)     max: 20526 Points
7732 Points (7%)
min: 12879     avg: 16949     median: 17369 (15%)     max: 25328 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 5165     avg: 6335     median: 6724 (18%)     max: 7245 Points
3102 Points (8%)
min: 4628     avg: 5796     median: 5933.5 (16%)     max: 6358 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 2630QM +
min: 28688     avg: 29084     median: 29084 (24%)     max: 29480 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 2630QM +
min: 4012     avg: 4158     median: 4157.5 (11%)     max: 4303 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 2630QM +
5788 Points (10%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2820QM → 100% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2657M → 63% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2630QM → 93% 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. 19:05:39

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

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

#2 checking url part for id 1517 +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 +0.029s ... 0.03s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.03s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 1501 +0.002s ... 0.032s

#8 got single benchmarks 1501 +0.027s ... 0.059s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 1579 +0.002s ... 0.061s

#10 got single benchmarks 1579 +0.006s ... 0.067s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 1517 +0.003s ... 0.07s

#12 got single benchmarks 1517 +0.188s ... 0.258s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.258s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.17s ... 0.428s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.428s

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)