Intel Core i7-2960XM vs Intel Core i7-2670QM vs Intel Core i7-2675QM

Intel Core i7-2960XM

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 i7-2670QM

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i7-2670QM 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 2670QM offers higher base and turbo frequencies by 200MHz. Compared to the faster Core i7, the 2670QM 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 2670QM it is clocked from 650-1100MHz (Turbo Boost). The Core i7-2675QM in comparison offers a higher Turbo Boost frequency of 1200MHz 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 i7-2670QM 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 i7-2675QM

► remove from comparison

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.

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).

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Intel Core i7-2960XM

Intel Core i7-2670QM

Intel Core i7-2675QM

Intel Core i7

Sandy Bridge

Series: Core i7 Sandy Bridge

» Intel Core i7-2960XM	2700 - 3700 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2860QM	2500 - 3600 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2920XM	2500 - 3500 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2760QM	2400 - 3500 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2820QM	2300 - 3400 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2720QM	2200 - 3300 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2675QM	2200 - 3100 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2670QM	2200 - 3100 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2635QM	2000 - 2900 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2630QM	2000 - 2900 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2640M	2800 - 3500 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2620M	2700 - 3400 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2649M	2300 - 3200 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2629M	2100 - 3000 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2677M	1800 - 2900 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2637M	1700 - 2800 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2657M	1600 - 2700 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2617M	1500 - 2600 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB

Intel Core i7-2960XM	2700 - 3700 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2860QM	2500 - 3600 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2920XM	2500 - 3500 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2760QM	2400 - 3500 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2820QM	2300 - 3400 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2720QM	2200 - 3300 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2675QM	2200 - 3100 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
» Intel Core i7-2670QM	2200 - 3100 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2635QM	2000 - 2900 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2630QM	2000 - 2900 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2640M	2800 - 3500 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2620M	2700 - 3400 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2649M	2300 - 3200 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2629M	2100 - 3000 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2677M	1800 - 2900 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2637M	1700 - 2800 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2657M	1600 - 2700 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2617M	1500 - 2600 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB

Intel Core i7-2960XM	2700 - 3700 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2860QM	2500 - 3600 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2920XM	2500 - 3500 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2760QM	2400 - 3500 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2820QM	2300 - 3400 MHz	4 / 8	8 MB
Intel Core i7-2720QM	2200 - 3300 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
» Intel Core i7-2675QM	2200 - 3100 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2670QM	2200 - 3100 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2635QM	2000 - 2900 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2630QM	2000 - 2900 MHz	4 / 8	6 MB
Intel Core i7-2640M	2800 - 3500 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2620M	2700 - 3400 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2649M	2300 - 3200 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2629M	2100 - 3000 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2677M	1800 - 2900 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2637M	1700 - 2800 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2657M	1600 - 2700 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB
Intel Core i7-2617M	1500 - 2600 MHz	2 / 4	4 MB

2700 - 3700 MHz

2200 - 3100 MHz

256 KB

1 MB

8 MB

6 MB

4 / 8

995

216 mm²

100 °C

FCPGA988

BGA

HD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization

HD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, Virtualization (VT-x)

iGPU

Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)

Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1100 MHz)

Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1200 MHz)

$1096 U.S.

Intel Core i7 2960XM

Benchmarks

Cinebench R11.5 - CPU Multi 64Bit

100%

¹ 2960XM +

6.3 Points (14%)

82%

Model		Memory	Core / Memory	GPU Memory	Value
Schenker XMG P701 PRO	Radeon HD 6990M	16384	715 / 900 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM Clevo 8.850.0.0	6.33

Model		Memory	Core / Memory	GPU Memory	Value
Medion Erazer X6817 (MD97892)	GeForce GTX 560M	4096	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 268.90	4.85
Schenker XMG P502 PRO	GeForce GTX 675M	8192	620 / 1500 MHz	2048MB GDDR5 VRAM 295.62	5.01
Schenker XMG P702 PRO	GeForce GTX 675M	8192	620 / 1500 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 295.62	5.02
Acer Aspire 5755G-2678G1TMtks	GeForce GT 630M	8192	672 / 800 MHz	2048MB Shadertakt: 1344 MHz, DDR3-VRAM ForceWare 285.64	5.12
HP Envy 15-3040nr	Radeon HD 7690M	8192	600 / 800 MHz	1024MB 8.882.2.3000	5.12
Asus K93SM-YZ085V	GeForce GT 630M	8096	672 / 900 MHz	1024MB ForceWare 285.64	5.13
HP Pavilion dv7-6b02eg	Radeon HD 6770M	8192	725 / 800 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM 8.830.6.3000	5.19
Medion Erazer X7813-MD97895	GeForce GTX 560M	8192	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 285.62	5.19
HP Pavilion dv7-6c07eg	Radeon HD 7690M XT	8192	725 / 900 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM 8.882.2.3000	5.23
Schenker XMG P701 PRO	Radeon HD 6990M	16384	715 / 900 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM Clevo 8.850.0.0	5.23
HP Envy 17 3D (Early 2012)	Radeon HD 7690M XT	8192	725 / 900 MHz	1024MB GDDR5	5.23
MSI GT780DX-i71691BLW7H	GeForce GTX 570M	16384			5.25
Toshiba Qosmio X770-11C	GeForce GTX 560M	8192	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 268.51	5.34

Model		Memory	Core / Memory	GPU Memory	Value
HP Envy 17 3D (Early 2012)	Radeon HD 7690M XT	8192	725 / 900 MHz	1024MB GDDR5	3685
Schenker XMG P702 PRO	GeForce GTX 675M	8192	620 / 1500 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 295.62	3783
HP Envy 15-3040nr	Radeon HD 7690M	8192	600 / 800 MHz	1024MB 8.882.2.3000	3809
MSI GT780DX-i71691BLW7H	GeForce GTX 570M	16384			3825
Toshiba Qosmio X770-11C	GeForce GTX 560M	8192	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 268.51	3875
Asus K93SM-YZ085V	GeForce GT 630M	8096	672 / 900 MHz	1024MB ForceWare 285.64	3891
Acer Aspire 5755G-2678G1TMtks	GeForce GT 630M	8192	672 / 800 MHz	2048MB Shadertakt: 1344 MHz, DDR3-VRAM ForceWare 285.64	3908
HP Pavilion dv7-6c07eg	Radeon HD 7690M XT	8192	725 / 900 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM 8.882.2.3000	3912
HP Pavilion dv7-6b02eg	Radeon HD 6770M	8192	725 / 800 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM 8.830.6.3000	3934
Medion Erazer X7813-MD97895	GeForce GTX 560M	8192	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 285.62	3963
Medion Erazer X6817 (MD97892)	GeForce GTX 560M	4096	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 268.90	3967
Schenker XMG P701 PRO	Radeon HD 6990M	16384	715 / 900 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM Clevo 8.850.0.0	3998

Model		Memory	Core / Memory	GPU Memory	Value
Schenker XMG P702 PRO	GeForce GTX 675M	8192	620 / 1500 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 295.62	14121
HP Envy 17 3D (Early 2012)	Radeon HD 7690M XT	8192	725 / 900 MHz	1024MB GDDR5	14547
Acer Aspire 5755G-2678G1TMtks	GeForce GT 630M	8192	672 / 800 MHz	2048MB Shadertakt: 1344 MHz, DDR3-VRAM ForceWare 285.64	14649
MSI GT780DX-i71691BLW7H	GeForce GTX 570M	16384			14754
Medion Erazer X7813-MD97895	GeForce GTX 560M	8192	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 285.62	14817
Schenker XMG P701 PRO	Radeon HD 6990M	16384	715 / 900 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM Clevo 8.850.0.0	14838
HP Pavilion dv7-6c07eg	Radeon HD 7690M XT	8192	725 / 900 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM 8.882.2.3000	14847
Asus K93SM-YZ085V	GeForce GT 630M	8096	672 / 900 MHz	1024MB ForceWare 285.64	14909
Medion Erazer X6817 (MD97892)	GeForce GTX 560M	4096	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 268.90	14970
HP Envy 15-3040nr	Radeon HD 7690M	8192	600 / 800 MHz	1024MB 8.882.2.3000	15002
HP Pavilion dv7-6b02eg	Radeon HD 6770M	8192	725 / 800 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM 8.830.6.3000	15035
Toshiba Qosmio X770-11C	GeForce GTX 560M	8192	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 268.51	15164

Model		Memory	Core / Memory	GPU Memory	Value
Schenker XMG P502 PRO	GeForce GTX 675M	8192	620 / 1500 MHz	2048MB GDDR5 VRAM 295.62	17228
Schenker XMG P702 PRO	GeForce GTX 675M	8192	620 / 1500 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 295.62	17421
MSI GT780DX-i71691BLW7H	GeForce GTX 570M	16384			17625
HP Envy 17 3D (Early 2012)	Radeon HD 7690M XT	8192	725 / 900 MHz	1024MB GDDR5	17823
Acer Aspire 5755G-2678G1TMtks	GeForce GT 630M	8192	672 / 800 MHz	2048MB Shadertakt: 1344 MHz, DDR3-VRAM ForceWare 285.64	17974
Schenker XMG P701 PRO	Radeon HD 6990M	16384	715 / 900 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM Clevo 8.850.0.0	18059
Toshiba Qosmio X770-11C	GeForce GTX 560M	8192	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 268.51	18076
HP Pavilion dv7-6c07eg	Radeon HD 7690M XT	8192	725 / 900 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM 8.882.2.3000	18106
Asus K93SM-YZ085V	GeForce GT 630M	8096	672 / 900 MHz	1024MB ForceWare 285.64	18154
HP Envy 15-3040nr	Radeon HD 7690M	8192	600 / 800 MHz	1024MB 8.882.2.3000	18240
Medion Erazer X6817 (MD97892)	GeForce GTX 560M	4096	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 268.90	18243
Medion Erazer X7813-MD97895	GeForce GTX 560M	8192	775 / 1250 MHz	1536MB Shadertakt: 1550 MHz, GDDR5-VRAM ForceWare 285.62	18275
HP Pavilion dv7-6b02eg	Radeon HD 6770M	8192	725 / 800 MHz	2048MB GDDR5-VRAM 8.830.6.3000	18345

Intel Core i7-2960XM vs Intel Core i7-2670QM vs Intel Core i7-2675QM