Intel Core i7-2720QM vs Core i7-2820QM

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Combined performance score

i7-2820QM
2.86
+9.2%

Core i7-2820QM outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 9% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i7-2820QM and Core i7-2720QM processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking15501600
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i7Intel Core i7
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date3 January 2011 (13 years old)3 January 2011 (13 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)$568$378
Current price$567 (1x MSRP)$476 (1.3x MSRP)

Technical specs

Core i7-2820QM 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads88
Base clock speed2.3 GHz2.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.4 GHz3.3 GHz
L1 cache64K (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)6 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size216 mm2216 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Number of transistors1,160 million1,160 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierNoNo

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-2820QM 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 configuration11
SocketFCBGA1224,FCPGA988,PPGA988FCBGA1224,FCPGA988,PPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)45 Watt45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-2820QM and Core i7-2720QM. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® AVXIntel® AVX
AES-NI++
FMA++
AVX++
vPro++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
Demand Based Switching--
FDI++
Fast Memory Access++
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-2820QM and Core i7-2720QM technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Identity Protection++
Anti-Theft++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-2820QM and Core i7-2720QM are enumerated here.

AMD-V++
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-2820QM and Core i7-2720QM. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support--

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 3000Intel HD Graphics 3000
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.3 GHz1.3 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-2820QM and Core i7-2720QM integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported22
eDP++
DisplayPort++
HDMI++
SDVO++
CRT++

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-2820QM and Core i7-2720QM.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes1616

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.

i7-2820QM 2.86
+9.2%
i7-2720QM 2.62

Core i7-2820QM outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 9% in our combined 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%

i7-2820QM 4392
+9.2%
i7-2720QM 4023

Core i7-2820QM outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 9% 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%

i7-2820QM 516
+7.9%
i7-2720QM 478

Core i7-2820QM outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 8% 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%

i7-2820QM 1532
+6.5%
i7-2720QM 1438

Core i7-2820QM outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 7% 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%

i7-2820QM 4250
+2%
i7-2720QM 4167

Core i7-2820QM outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 2% 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%

i7-2820QM 15044
+1.3%
i7-2720QM 14852

Core i7-2820QM outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 1% in Cinebench 10 32-bit multi-core.

3DMark06 CPU

3DMark06 is a discontinued DirectX 9 benchmark suite from Futuremark. Its CPU part contains two scenarios, one dedicated to artificial intelligence pathfinding, another to game physics using PhysX package.

Benchmark coverage: 19%

i7-2820QM 5819
+3.6%
i7-2720QM 5616

Core i7-2820QM outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 4% in 3DMark06 CPU.

wPrime 32

wPrime 32M is a math multi-thread processor test, which calculates square roots of first 32 million integer numbers. Its result is measured in seconds, so that the less is benchmark result, the faster the processor.

Benchmark coverage: 18%

i7-2820QM 10
+31.2%
i7-2720QM 13.12

Core i7-2720QM outperforms Core i7-2820QM by 31% in wPrime 32.

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%

i7-2820QM 5
+3.6%
i7-2720QM 5

Core i7-2820QM outperforms Core i7-2720QM by 4% in Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 2.86 2.62
Cost $568 $378

We couldn't decide between Core i7-2820QM and Core i7-2720QM. The differences in performance seem too small.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-2820QM and Core i7-2720QM, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

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Intel Core i7-2820QM
Core i7-2820QM
Intel Core i7-2720QM
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Questions and comments

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