Core i7-2720QM vs Core i5-4590
Aggregate performance score
i5-4590 outperforms i7-2720QM by a substantial 32% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i5-4590 and Core i7-2720QM processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 1477 | 1654 |
| Place by popularity | 49 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 1.44 | no data |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | Core i5 (Desktop) | Intel Core i7 |
| Architecture codename | Haswell (2013−2015) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| Release date | 1 April 2014 (10 years ago) | 6 January 2011 (13 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $202 | $378 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i5-4590 and Core i7-2720QM basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.
| Physical cores | 4 (Quad-Core) | 4 (Quad-Core) |
| Threads | 4 | 8 |
| Base clock speed | 3.3 GHz | 2.2 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.7 GHz | 3.3 GHz |
| L1 cache | 256 KB | 256 KB |
| L2 cache | 1 MB | 1 MB |
| L3 cache | 6 MB | 6 MB |
| Chip lithography | 22 nm | 32 nm |
| Die size | 177 mm2 | 216 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | no data | 100 °C |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 72 °C | no data |
| Number of transistors | 1400 Million | 995 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |
Compatibility
Information on Core i5-4590 and Core i7-2720QM compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.
| Number of CPUs in a configuration | 1 | 1 (Uniprocessor) |
| Socket | FCLGA1150 | FCBGA1224, FCPGA988 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 84 Watt | 45 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-4590 and Core i7-2720QM. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | + |
| FMA | no data | + |
| AVX | + | + |
| vPro | + | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | no data | + |
| TSX | + | no data |
Security technologies
Core i5-4590 and Core i7-2720QM technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | + | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-4590 and Core i7-2720QM are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | + | + |
| VT-d | + | + |
| VT-x | + | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-4590 and Core i7-2720QM. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR3 | unknown Dual-channel |
| Maximum memory size | no data | 32 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 25.598 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | - | - |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card Compare | Intel HD Graphics 4600 | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-4590 and Core i7-2720QM.
| PCIe version | 3.0 | no data |
| PCI Express lanes | 16 | 16 |
Synthetic benchmark performance
Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.
Core i5-4590 outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 32% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.
Benchmark coverage: 68%
Core i5-4590 outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 33% in Passmark.
GeekBench 5 Single-Core
GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.
Benchmark coverage: 42%
Core i5-4590 outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 133% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.
GeekBench 5 Multi-Core
GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.
Benchmark coverage: 42%
Core i5-4590 outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 115% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.
Cinebench 10 32-bit single-core
Cinebench R10 is an ancient ray tracing benchmark for processors by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. Its single core version uses just one CPU thread to render a futuristic looking motorcycle.
Benchmark coverage: 20%
Core i5-4590 outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 31% in Cinebench 10 32-bit single-core.
Cinebench 10 32-bit multi-core
Cinebench Release 10 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R10 using all the processor threads. Possible number of threads is limited by 16 in this version.
Benchmark coverage: 19%
Core i5-4590 outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 28% in Cinebench 10 32-bit multi-core.
Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core
Cinebench Release 11.5 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R11.5 which uses all the processor threads. A maximum of 64 threads is supported in this version.
Benchmark coverage: 17%
Core i5-4590 outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 12% in Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 3.47 | 2.62 |
| Integrated graphics card | 1.84 | 0.66 |
| Recency | 1 April 2014 | 6 January 2011 |
| Threads | 4 | 8 |
| Chip lithography | 22 nm | 32 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 84 Watt | 45 Watt |
i5-4590 has a 32.4% higher aggregate performance score, 178.8% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 3 years, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.
i7-2720QM, on the other hand, has 100% more threads, and 86.7% lower power consumption.
The Core i5-4590 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-2720QM in performance tests.
Note that Core i5-4590 is a desktop processor while Core i7-2720QM is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-4590 and Core i7-2720QM, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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