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Intel Core i7-2960XM vs Intel Core i7-2617M

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 i7-2617M

► remove from comparison Intel 2617M

The Intel Core i7-2617M is power efficient ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processor for thin and light laptops. The base frequency of 1.5 GHz is relatively low, but due to Turbo Boost 2.0, the CPU may clock up to 2.6 GHz (on core loaded, 2.3 GHz with both cores loaded). However, this is depending on the cooling and power consumption of the laptop. Due to HyperThreading, the i7-2617M is able to handle 4 threads in parallel. Compared to the slower i5-2537M, the 2617M offers a higher clock speed (processor core and turbo, graphics turbo) and more last level cache.

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 950MHz (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. Therefore, the performance should be similar to a Core i3-350M if the Turbo can be used often.

The TDP of 17W (includes the integrated GPU and memory controller) allows the use of the 2617M CPU in small subnotebooks.

ModelIntel Core i7-2960XMIntel Core i7-2617M
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7
CodenameSandy BridgeSandy Bridge
Series: Core i7 Sandy Bridge
Intel Core i7-2960XM « 2.7 - 3.7 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2860QM compare2.5 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2920XM compare2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2760QM compare2.4 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2820QM compare2.3 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2720QM compare2.2 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2675QM compare2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2670QM compare2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2635QM compare2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2630QM compare2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2640M compare2.8 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2620M compare2.7 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2649M compare2.3 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2629M compare2.1 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2677M compare1.8 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2637M compare1.7 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2657M compare1.6 - 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 compare2.5 - 3.6 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2920XM compare2.5 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2760QM compare2.4 - 3.5 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2820QM compare2.3 - 3.4 GHz4 / 8 cores8 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2720QM compare2.2 - 3.3 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2675QM compare2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2670QM compare2.2 - 3.1 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2635QM compare2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2630QM compare2 - 2.9 GHz4 / 8 cores6 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2640M compare2.8 - 3.5 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2620M compare2.7 - 3.4 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2649M compare2.3 - 3.2 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2629M compare2.1 - 3 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2677M compare1.8 - 2.9 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2637M compare1.7 - 2.8 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2657M compare1.6 - 2.7 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Intel Core i7-2617M « 1.5 - 2.6 GHz2 / 4 cores4 MB L3
Clock2700 - 3700 MHz1500 - 2600 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB128 KB
L2 Cache1 MB512 KB
L3 Cache8 MB4 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 82 / 4
TDP55 Watt17 Watt
Transistors995 Million624 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm
Die Size216 mm2149 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C
SocketFCPGA988BGA1023
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (350 - 950 MHz)
Architecturex86x86
$1096 U.S.$100 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.intel.com

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
6.3 Points (8%)
2.1 Points (3%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
4928 Points (30%)
3315 Points (20%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
18300 Points (13%)
6690 Points (5%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
22311 Points (15%)
8113 Points (6%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
6184 Points (8%)
4143 Points (5%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 2617M +
783 s (9%)
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 2617M +
24.1 s (5%)
3DMark 06 - CPU - 3DMark 06 - CPU
6820 Points (15%)
2762 Points (6%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
10 s (2%)
15.3 s (3%)
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
22 s (1%)
34.8 s (1%)
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
568 s (3%)
817 s (4%)
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
100%
1 2960XM +
120900 MIPS (57%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
100%
1 2960XM +
80500 MFLOPS (62%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
100%
1 2960XM +
7.6 Points (97%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
23249 Points (20%)
7233 Points (6%)
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
100%
1 2960XM +
8098 Points (22%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2960XM → 100% n=10

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2617M → 61% n=10

- 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

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v1.26
log 28. 11:39:04

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