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Intel Core i7-2920XM vs Intel Core i7-2620M vs Intel Core i7-2820QM

Intel Core i7-2920XM

► remove from comparison Intel 2920XM

The Intel Core i7-2920XM is the fastest quad-core processor for laptops in Q1-2011. 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 i7-2920XM is now manufactured in 32nm, offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. Compared to the slower clocked 2820QM, the 2920XM is specified with a higher TDP.

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 Core i7-2920XM 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.

Due to the high Turbo Boost and Hyperthreading, the performance of the Core i7-2920XM can reach levels of the fast desktop Core i5-2500K processor. Compared to the previous generation, the i7-2920XM is up to 42% faster than the old Core i7-940XM processor. Therefore, the performance should be sufficient for even the most demanding tasks like HD video editing or 3D games. Extensive benchmarks can be found at the end of this page and in our review of the new Sandy Bridge quad core processors.

The high TDP rating of the 2920XM enables the usage of the quad core only in large and heavy laptops (usually 15" and up). Compared to the previous generation of quad-cores, however, the TDP improved, as the integrated GPU is now included.

Intel Core i7-2620M

► remove from comparison Intel 2620M

The Intel Core i7-2620M is the fastest dual core processor at the time of introduction in Q1 2011. 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 2.7 GHz but due to Turbo Boost it can reach 3.2 GHz (2 cores active) and 3.4 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 i7-2620M 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).

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 i7-2620M is higher than a similar clocked Arrandale Core i7. In synthetic benchmarks the performance ranges from the old Core i7-620M to the Core i7-820QM quad core processor. On average it should be on a level of the fast Core i7-640M.

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 i7-2920XMIntel Core i7-2620MIntel Core i7-2820QM
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 i7-2920XM « 2.5 - 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 i7-2630QM2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2640M2.8 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2620M « 2.7 - 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 i7-2820QM « 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
Clock2500 - 3500 MHz2700 - 3400 MHz2300 - 3400 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB128 KB256 KB
L2 Cache1 MB512 KB1 MB
L3 Cache8 MB4 MB8 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 82 / 44 / 8
TDP55 Watt35 Watt45 Watt
Transistors995 Million624 Million995 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size216 mm2149 mm2216 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketFCPGA988rPGA988B, BGA1023FCBGA1224, FCPGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR3-1066/1333/1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), 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)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$1096 U.S.$346 U.S.$568 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
min: 5.7     avg: 6     median: 6 (8%)     max: 6.2 Points
min: 2.6     avg: 3     median: 3.1 (4%)     max: 3.11 Points
min: 4.41     avg: 5.2     median: 5.5 (7%)     max: 5.81 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
min: 4282     avg: 4387     median: 4378.5 (26%)     max: 4507 Points
min: 3532     avg: 4200     median: 4333 (26%)     max: 4384 Points
min: 4200     avg: 4274     median: 4249.5 (26%)     max: 4365 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
min: 16067     avg: 16949     median: 17187.5 (12%)     max: 17355 Points
min: 7650     avg: 9124     median: 9433 (7%)     max: 9632 Points
min: 12641     avg: 14782     median: 15043.5 (11%)     max: 16105 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
min: 19727     avg: 20763     median: 20959 (15%)     max: 21407 Points
min: 9634     avg: 11273     median: 11444 (8%)     max: 11711 Points
min: 16327     avg: 18631     median: 19316 (13%)     max: 20393 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
min: 5343     avg: 5525     median: 5565 (7%)     max: 5628 Points
min: 4462     avg: 5325     median: 5412 (7%)     max: 5479 Points
min: 5232     avg: 5368     median: 5372 (7%)     max: 5468 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
min: 264.9     avg: 276.9     median: 273.8 (3%)     max: 295 s
min: 494     avg: 525     median: 505 (6%)     max: 594 s
min: 281     avg: 366.3     median: 360.2 (4%)     max: 458.6 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
min: 8.29     avg: 8.5     median: 8.4 (2%)     max: 8.9 s
min: 11.56     avg: 16.3     median: 16.2 (3%)     max: 19.4 s
min: 8.27     avg: 10.7     median: 10 (2%)     max: 13.64 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 3296     avg: 3923     median: 3923 (6%)     max: 4550 Points
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 2
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 30.4     avg: 30.8     median: 30.8 (11%)     max: 31.2 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 129.4     avg: 131.4     median: 131.4 (30%)     max: 133.4 fps
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Serpent
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 0.293     avg: 0.3     median: 0.3 (0%)     max: 0.296 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 0.508     avg: 0.5     median: 0.5 (9%)     max: 0.521 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 2.8     avg: 3     median: 3 (8%)     max: 3.1 GB/s
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
min: 5944     avg: 6100     median: 6131 (13%)     max: 6206 Points
min: 3039     avg: 3753     median: 3827 (8%)     max: 3884 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: 10     avg: 10.5     median: 10 (2%)     max: 11.7 s
min: 11     avg: 11.5     median: 11 (2%)     max: 14.3 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: 24     avg: 24.6     median: 24 (1%)     max: 25.9 s
min: 26     avg: 27.3     median: 27 (1%)     max: 32.9 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: 580     avg: 600     median: 594 (3%)     max: 620 s
min: 620     avg: 685     median: 640 (3%)     max: 1098 s
min: 618     avg: 628     median: 625 (3%)     max: 644 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
min: 118300     avg: 121717     median: 121780 (58%)     max: 125070 MIPS
min: 53030     avg: 55805     median: 53870 (26%)     max: 62450 MIPS
min: 83000     avg: 90497     median: 87000 (41%)     max: 101490 MIPS
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
min: 71200     avg: 74190     median: 75680 (58%)     max: 75690 MFLOPS
min: 37790     avg: 37923     median: 37950 (29%)     max: 38000 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: 7.5     avg: 7.6     median: 7.6 (97%)     max: 7.6 Points
min: 6.9     avg: 7.1     median: 7.1 (91%)     max: 7.1 Points
min: 7.4     avg: 7.5     median: 7.5 (96%)     max: 7.5 Points
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
min: 20540     avg: 21107     median: 21148 (19%)     max: 21592 Points
min: 8605     avg: 11161     median: 10271 (9%)     max: 21984 Points
min: 16115     avg: 18441     median: 18520 (16%)     max: 20526 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
min: 7804     avg: 7915     median: 7914.5 (21%)     max: 8025 Points
min: 3296     avg: 3947     median: 4060 (11%)     max: 4362 Points
min: 5165     avg: 6335     median: 6724 (18%)     max: 7245 Points

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2920XM → 100% n=16

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2620M → 75% n=16

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2820QM → 93% 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
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Redaktion, 2017-09- 8 (Update: 2023-07- 1)