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Intel Core i7-2920XM vs Intel Core i7-2675QM vs Intel Core i7-2720QM

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 i7-2675QM

► remove from comparison Intel 2675QM

The Intel Core i7-2675QM is a fast quad core processor for laptops and successor to the popular i7-2630QM. 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 2630QM, the 2675QM offers higher base and turbo frequencies by 200MHz. Compared to the faster Core i7, the 2675QM 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 2635QM it is clocked from  650-1200MHz (Turbo Boost). The Core i7-2630QM in comparison offers a lower Turbo Boost frequency of 1100MHz for the GPU part.

Furthermore, an improved (compared to Clarkdale) 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 i7-2675QM should be only slightly slower than the old Core i7-2720QM that offers only a slightly higher Turbo Boost frequencies. Therefore, even demanding applications and games should run without performance problems.

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 i7-2720QM

► 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.

ModelIntel Core i7-2920XMIntel Core i7-2675QMIntel Core i7-2720QM
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 i7-2675QM « 2.2 - 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 i7-2720QM « 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
Clock2500 - 3500 MHz2200 - 3100 MHz2200 - 3300 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB256 KB256 KB
L2 Cache1 MB1 MB1 MB
L3 Cache8 MB6 MB6 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 84 / 84 / 8
TDP55 Watt45 Watt45 Watt
Transistors995 Million995 Million995 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size216 mm2216 mm2216 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C
SocketFCPGA988BGAFCBGA1224, FCPGA988
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR3-1066/1333/1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization (VT-x)HD Graphics 3000 (650-1300MHz), DDR-1600 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1200 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$1096 U.S.$378 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 5.7     avg: 6     median: 6 (8%)     max: 6.2 Points
88%
1 2720QM +
min: 5.12     avg: 5.3     median: 5.3 (7%)     max: 5.64 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 4282     avg: 4387     median: 4378.5 (26%)     max: 4507 Points
95%
1 2720QM +
min: 4114     avg: 4168     median: 4167 (25%)     max: 4219 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 16067     avg: 16949     median: 17187.5 (12%)     max: 17355 Points
86%
1 2720QM +
min: 13961     avg: 14649     median: 14852 (11%)     max: 15301 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 19727     avg: 20763     median: 20959 (15%)     max: 21407 Points
87%
1 2720QM +
min: 15819     avg: 17946     median: 18193 (13%)     max: 19061 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 5343     avg: 5525     median: 5565 (7%)     max: 5628 Points
94%
1 2720QM +
min: 4204     avg: 5084     median: 5236 (6%)     max: 5299 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 264.9     avg: 276.9     median: 273.8 (3%)     max: 295 s
98%
1 2720QM +
min: 410.2     avg: 423.1     median: 423.5 (5%)     max: 435.6 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 8.29     avg: 8.5     median: 8.4 (2%)     max: 8.9 s
99%
1 2720QM +
min: 12.13     avg: 13     median: 13.1 (3%)     max: 13.73 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
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 5944     avg: 6100     median: 6131 (13%)     max: 6206 Points
92%
1 2720QM +
min: 5133     avg: 5529     median: 5616 (12%)     max: 5772 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 10     avg: 10.5     median: 10 (2%)     max: 11.7 s
100%
1 2720QM +
min: 11     avg: 11.4     median: 11 (2%)     max: 12.3 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 24     avg: 24.6     median: 24 (1%)     max: 25.9 s
100%
1 2720QM +
min: 26     avg: 27     median: 27 (1%)     max: 28.2 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 580     avg: 600     median: 594 (3%)     max: 620 s
100%
1 2720QM +
min: 635     avg: 650     median: 647 (3%)     max: 671 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 118300     avg: 121717     median: 121780 (58%)     max: 125070 MIPS
90%
1 2720QM +
109640 MIPS (52%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 71200     avg: 74190     median: 75680 (58%)     max: 75690 MFLOPS
88%
1 2720QM +
66400 MFLOPS (51%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 7.5     avg: 7.6     median: 7.6 (97%)     max: 7.6 Points
99%
1 2720QM +
7.5 Points (96%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 20540     avg: 21107     median: 21148 (19%)     max: 21592 Points
89%
1 2720QM +
min: 11457     avg: 17984     median: 18725 (16%)     max: 19716 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 2920XM +
min: 7804     avg: 7915     median: 7914.5 (21%)     max: 8025 Points
84%
1 2720QM +
min: 5473     avg: 6495     median: 6627 (18%)     max: 7334 Points
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 2675QM +
536 Points (23%)
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2675QM +
1928 Points (3%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 2675QM +
3100 Points (31%)
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2675QM +
9800 Points (11%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 2675QM +
3100 Points (42%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2675QM +
10090 Points (25%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2920XM → 0% n=

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2675QM → 0% n=

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2720QM → 0% n=

- 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 19. 12:28:04

#0 checking url part for id 1503 +0s ... 0s

#1 checking url part for id 2870 +0s ... 0s

#2 checking url part for id 1499 +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 Tue, 19 Mar 2024 05:32:10 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

#5 composed specs +0.039s ... 0.04s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.04s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 1503 +0.003s ... 0.043s

#8 got single benchmarks 1503 +0.027s ... 0.07s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 2870 +0.003s ... 0.072s

#10 got single benchmarks 2870 +0.012s ... 0.084s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 1499 +0.003s ... 0.087s

#12 got single benchmarks 1499 +0.04s ... 0.127s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.127s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.163s ... 0.29s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.29s

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