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Intel Core i7-2960XM vs Intel Core i7-2860QM vs Intel Core i7-2637M

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 i7-2860QM

► 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 i7-2637M

► remove from comparison

The Intel Core i7-2637M is power efficient ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processor for thin and light laptops. The base frequency of 1.7 GHz is relatively low, but due to Turbo Boost 2.0, the CPU may clock up to 2.8 GHz (on core loaded, 2.5 GHz with both cores loaded). However, this depends on the cooling and power consumption of the laptop. Due to HyperThreading, the i7-2637M is able to handle 4 threads in parallel. Compared to the slower i7-2617M, the 2637M offers a higher clock speed (processor core and turbo, graphics turbo).

Sandy Bridge is the evolutionary successor of the Arrandale architecture. The most notable 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 1200MHz (Turbo Boost). Due to the slower clock rate without the Turbo, compared to HD Graphics 3000 in 35W and 45W processors (usually clocked at 650 base speed 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. Thanks to the high Turbo Boost frequencies, the performance should be similar to the Core i3-2310M. However, the laptop cooling system has to keep the processor relatively cool for the Turbo Boost to work often.

The TDP of 17W (includes the integrated GPU and memory controller) allows the use of the 2637M CPU in small subnotebooks.

ModelIntel Core i7-2960XMIntel Core i7-2860QMIntel Core i7-2637M
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7Intel Core i7
CodenameSandy BridgeSandy BridgeSandy Bridge
Series: Core i7 Sandy Bridge
Intel Core i7-2960XM « 2.7 - 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 i7-2620M2.7 - 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 i7-2860QM « 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 i7-2630QM2 - 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 i7-2637M « 1.7 - 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
Clock2700 - 3700 MHz2500 - 3600 MHz1700 - 2800 MHz
L1 Cache256 KB256 KB128 KB
L2 Cache1 MB1 MB512 KB
L3 Cache8 MB8 MB4 MB
Cores / Threads4 / 84 / 82 / 4
TDP55 Watt45 Watt17 Watt
Transistors995 Million995 Million624 Million
Technology32 nm32 nm32 nm
Die Size216 mm2216 mm2149 mm2
max. Temp.100 °C100 °C100 °C
SocketFCPGA988BGA1023
FeaturesHD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationHD Graphics 3000, DDR-1333 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, Quick Sync, VirtualizationTurbo Boost 2.0, Hyper-Threading, Virtualization VT-x, Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d), Trusted Execution, AES, Intel 64, Anti-Theft, My WiFi, Idle States, Enhanced SpeedStep, Thermal Monitorin, Execute Disable Bit
iGPUIntel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (650 - 1300 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000 (350 - 1200 MHz)
Architecturex86x86x86
$1096 U.S.$568 U.S.$289 U.S.
Announced
Manufacturerark.intel.comark.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%)
38%
1 2637M +
201 Points (1%)
Cinebench R15 - Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 2860QM +
123 Points (37%)
76%
1 2637M +
93 Points (28%)
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64 Bit
6.3 Points (8%)
min: 5.84     avg: 5.9     median: 5.9 (8%)     max: 5.91 Points
min: 2.19     avg: 2.2     median: 2.2 (3%)     max: 2.25 Points
Cinebench R11.5 - Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64 Bit
100%
1 2637M +
1.1 Points (27%)
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (32bit)
4928 Points (30%)
min: 4515     avg: 4576     median: 4576 (28%)     max: 4637 Points
min: 3529     avg: 3578     median: 3600 (22%)     max: 3605 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (32bit)
18300 Points (13%)
min: 16700     avg: 16810     median: 16809.5 (12%)     max: 16919 Points
min: 7046     avg: 7069     median: 7074 (5%)     max: 7086 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Multi (64bit)
22311 Points (15%)
min: 20290     avg: 20328     median: 20328 (14%)     max: 20366 Points
min: 8430     avg: 8639     median: 8722 (6%)     max: 8765 Points
Cinebench R10 - Cinebench R10 Rend. Single (64bit)
6184 Points (8%)
min: 5639     avg: 5720     median: 5719.5 (7%)     max: 5800 Points
min: 4464     avg: 4469     median: 4471 (5%)     max: 4472 Points
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 1024m *
100%
1 2860QM +
278.1 s (3%)
94%
1 2637M +
min: 691     avg: 744     median: 765 (9%)     max: 776 s
wPrime 2.10 - wPrime 2.0 32m *
100%
1 2860QM +
7.8 s (2%)
97%
1 2637M +
min: 20.3     avg: 21.2     median: 21.7 (4%)     max: 21.7 s
WinRAR - WinRAR 4.0
100%
1 2637M +
min: 2286     avg: 2325     median: 2324.5 (4%)     max: 2363 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%)
38%
1 2637M +
min: 11.95     avg: 12.1     median: 12.1 (4%)     max: 12.23 fps
X264 HD Benchmark 4.0 - x264 Pass 1
100%
1 2860QM +
131.7 fps (30%)
53%
1 2637M +
min: 68.5     avg: 70.1     median: 69.5 (16%)     max: 72.2 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%)
38%
1 2637M +
min: 0.112     avg: 0.1     median: 0.1 (0%)     max: 0.116 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt Twofish
100%
1 2860QM +
0.5 GB/s (9%)
38%
1 2637M +
min: 0.196     avg: 0.2     median: 0.2 (3%)     max: 0.2 GB/s
TrueCrypt - TrueCrypt AES
100%
1 2860QM +
2.7 GB/s (7%)
44%
1 2637M +
1.2 GB/s (3%)
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
6820 Points (15%)
min: 6273     avg: 6323     median: 6323 (13%)     max: 6373 Points
min: 2814     avg: 2836     median: 2834 (6%)     max: 2860 Points
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 1M *
10 s (2%)
min: 10     avg: 10.3     median: 10.3 (2%)     max: 10.57 s
min: 13.7     avg: 14     median: 14 (3%)     max: 14.32 s
Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 2M *
22 s (1%)
min: 23     avg: 23.5     median: 23.5 (1%)     max: 23.94 s
min: 31.9     avg: 32.3     median: 32 (1%)     max: 33.02 s
Super Pi Mod 1.5 XS 32M - Super Pi mod 1.5 XS 32M *
568 s (3%)
min: 587     avg: 590     median: 590 (3%)     max: 593 s
min: 735     avg: 755     median: 758 (3%)     max: 772 s
SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS) - SiSoft Sandra Dhrystone (MIPS)
120900 MIPS (57%)
min: 111300     avg: 115310     median: 115310 (55%)     max: 119320 MIPS
45450 MIPS (22%)
SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS) - SiSoft Sandra Whetstone (MFLOPS)
80500 MFLOPS (62%)
min: 72360     avg: 73330     median: 73330 (56%)     max: 74300 MFLOPS
29870 MFLOPS (23%)
Windows 7 Experience Index - Win7 CPU
7.6 Points (97%)
7.6 Points (97%)
6.9 Points (88%)
3DMark Vantage - 3DM Vant. Perf. CPU no Physx
23249 Points (20%)
21417 Points (19%)
min: 7546     avg: 7733     median: 7552 (7%)     max: 8101 Points
3DMark 11 - 3DM11 Performance Physics
8098 Points (22%)
7590 Points (21%)
3258 Points (9%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Physics
100%
1 2637M +
27910 Points (23%)
3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
100%
1 2637M +
29096 Points (25%)
3DMark - 3DMark Cloud Gate Physics
100%
1 2637M +
2382 Points (6%)
3DMark - 3DMark Fire Strike Standard Physics
100%
1 2637M +
3294 Points (6%)
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
80%
1 2637M +
2769 Points (28%)
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
45%
1 2637M +
5048 Points (6%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 2637M +
2703 Points (37%)
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2637M +
4800 Points (12%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Multi-Core
100%
1 2637M +
4566 Points (8%)
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 32 Bit Single-Core
100%
1 2637M +
2288 Points (45%)
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
100%
1 2860QM +
1347 ms (2%)
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
100%
1 2637M +
16640 Points (15%)
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
100%
1 2860QM +
136 Points (28%)
Power Consumption - Prime95 Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 2637M +
29.1 Watt (5%)
Power Consumption - Cinebench R15 Multi Power Consumption - external Monitor *
100%
1 2637M +
30.5 Watt (6%)

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2960XM → 100% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2860QM → 95% n=14

Average Benchmarks Intel Core i7-2637M → 60% n=14

- 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 28. 23:26:00

#0 checking url part for id 2846 +0s ... 0s

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

#2 checking url part for id 2736 +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 +0.04s ... 0.041s

#6 did output specs +0s ... 0.041s

#7 getting avg benchmarks for device 2846 +0.003s ... 0.044s

#8 got single benchmarks 2846 +0.01s ... 0.054s

#9 getting avg benchmarks for device 2844 +0.017s ... 0.072s

#10 got single benchmarks 2844 +0.012s ... 0.084s

#11 getting avg benchmarks for device 2736 +0.004s ... 0.087s

#12 got single benchmarks 2736 +0.037s ... 0.124s

#13 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.124s

#14 min, max, avg, median took s +0.277s ... 0.402s

#15 return log +0s ... 0.402s

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> 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)