Notebookcheck Logo

Intel Core i7-2860QM vs Intel Core i7-2630QM vs Intel Core i7-2640M

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.

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).

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.

ModelIntel Core i7-2860QMIntel Core i7-2630QMIntel Core i7-2640M
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 i7-2860QM « 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
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
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 i7-2640M « 2.8 - 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
Clock2500 - 3600 MHz2000 - 2900 MHz2800 - 3500 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB256 KB128 KB
L2 Cache1 MB1 MB512 KB
L3 Cache8 MB6 MB4 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 84 / 82 / 4
TDP45 Watt45 Watt35 Watt
Transistors995 Million995 Million624 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size216 mm2216 mm2149 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 3000 (650-1100MHz), DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization (VT-x)HD Graphics 3000, DDR3-1066/1333 Memory Controller (max 8GB), HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1100 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$568 U.S.$346 U.S.
Announced
SocketFCPGA988
Manufacturerark.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: 5.84     avg: 5.9     median: 5.9 (8%)     max: 5.91 Points
min: 3.89     avg: 4.7     median: 4.8 (6%)     max: 5.04 Points
min: 3.07     avg: 3.1     median: 3.2 (4%)     max: 3.2 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: 4515     avg: 4576     median: 4576 (28%)     max: 4637 Points
min: 3449     avg: 3653     median: 3662 (22%)     max: 3772 Points
min: 4009     avg: 4383     median: 4443 (27%)     max: 4506 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 16700     avg: 16810     median: 16809.5 (12%)     max: 16919 Points
min: 11111     avg: 13692     median: 13833 (10%)     max: 14394 Points
min: 9691     avg: 9766     median: 9778 (7%)     max: 9833 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 20290     avg: 20328     median: 20328 (14%)     max: 20366 Points
min: 13512     avg: 16643     median: 16803 (12%)     max: 17347 Points
min: 11067     avg: 11767     median: 11874 (8%)     max: 12037 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 5639     avg: 5720     median: 5719.5 (7%)     max: 5800 Points
min: 4325     avg: 4558     median: 4569 (6%)     max: 4679 Points
min: 5445     avg: 5549     median: 5534 (7%)     max: 5665 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
278.1 s (3%)
min: 313.2     avg: 331.9     median: 325.6 (4%)     max: 435 s
min: 478.5     avg: 493.6     median: 489 (6%)     max: 524 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
7.8 s (2%)
min: 9.7     avg: 10.3     median: 10.1 (2%)     max: 12.5 s
min: 15     avg: 15.5     median: 15.1 (3%)     max: 16.61 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 2640M +
min: 2555     avg: 2632     median: 2620 (4%)     max: 2733 Points
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%)
53%
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 2860QM +
131.7 fps (30%)
68%
1 2640M +
min: 88.7     avg: 91     median: 89.3 (21%)     max: 95 fps
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%)
50%
1 2640M +
min: 0.124     avg: 0.1     median: 0.1 (0%)     max: 0.152 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 2860QM +
0.5 GB/s (9%)
50%
1 2640M +
min: 0.198     avg: 0.2     median: 0.3 (5%)     max: 0.27 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 2860QM +
2.7 GB/s (7%)
59%
1 2640M +
1.6 GB/s (4%)
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: 6273     avg: 6323     median: 6323 (13%)     max: 6373 Points
min: 4050     avg: 4912     median: 5039 (11%)     max: 5127 Points
min: 3882     avg: 3934     median: 3927 (8%)     max: 3978 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
min: 10     avg: 10.3     median: 10.3 (2%)     max: 10.57 s
min: 13     avg: 13.2     median: 13 (3%)     max: 14.2 s
min: 11     avg: 11.2     median: 11 (2%)     max: 11.66 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
min: 23     avg: 23.5     median: 23.5 (1%)     max: 23.94 s
min: 29     avg: 30.4     median: 30.2 (1%)     max: 32 s
min: 25     avg: 26     median: 26 (1%)     max: 27.04 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
min: 587     avg: 590     median: 590 (3%)     max: 593 s
min: 713     avg: 730     median: 728.5 (3%)     max: 778 s
min: 604     avg: 626     median: 634 (3%)     max: 639 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
min: 111300     avg: 115310     median: 115310 (55%)     max: 119320 MIPS
98320 MIPS (47%)
min: 64300     avg: 64523     median: 64545 (31%)     max: 64700 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
min: 72360     avg: 73330     median: 73330 (56%)     max: 74300 MFLOPS
min: 59250     avg: 60255     median: 60255 (46%)     max: 61260 MFLOPS
min: 39000     avg: 39255     median: 39135 (30%)     max: 39750 MFLOPS
PCMark 05 - PCMark 05 - Standard
100%
1 2630QM +
min: 9075     avg: 10547     median: 10547 (22%)     max: 12019 Points
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
7.6 Points (97%)
min: 7.4     avg: 7.4     median: 7.4 (95%)     max: 7.5 Points
min: 7     avg: 7.2     median: 7.1 (91%)     max: 7.6 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
21417 Points (19%)
min: 12879     avg: 16949     median: 17369 (15%)     max: 25328 Points
min: 10127     avg: 10509     median: 10559 (9%)     max: 10838 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
7590 Points (21%)
min: 4628     avg: 5796     median: 5933.5 (16%)     max: 6358 Points
min: 3902     avg: 4140     median: 4172 (11%)     max: 4320 Points
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 2630QM +
min: 28688     avg: 29084     median: 29084 (24%)     max: 29480 Points
91%
1 2640M +
26569 Points (22%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 2630QM +
min: 4012     avg: 4158     median: 4157.5 (11%)     max: 4303 Points
69%
1 2640M +
2876 Points (7%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 2630QM +
5788 Points (10%)
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
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%)
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 i7-2860QM → 100% n=16

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2630QM → 88% n=16

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2640M → 77% 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

v1.26
log 29. 13:01:29

#0 checking url part for id 2844 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 1517 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 2839 +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 +0.037s ... 0.038s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.038s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 2844 +0.016s ... 0.055s

#8 got single benchmarks 2844 +0.013s ... 0.068s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 1517 +0.004s ... 0.072s

#10 got single benchmarks 1517 +0.21s ... 0.282s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 2839 +0.003s ... 0.285s

#12 got single benchmarks 2839 +0.031s ... 0.315s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.315s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.304s ... 0.62s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.62s

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)