The Intel Core i7-2630QM is a fast 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 i7-2630QM is now manufactured in 32nm and offers an integrated graphics card and AES functions. The difference to the similar 2635QM is the slower Turbo Boost clock rate for the integrated GPU (1100MHz versus 1300MHz) and the different package (rPGA versus BGA). Compared to the faster Core i7, the 2630QM 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 2630QM it is clocked from 650-1100MHz (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.
The performance of the Core i7-2630QM should be about 10-15% faster than a similar clocked Clarksfield Core i7 (see first tests by Anandtech). Therefore, the 2630QM should be on a level (or even faster) than a Core i7-920XM Quad-Core.
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).