Core i7-2860QM vs Core i7-2960XM

General info

Comparing Core i7-2960XM and Core i7-2860QM processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1510	1538
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Market segment	Laptop	Laptop
Series	Intel Core i7	Intel Core i7
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	4 September 2011 (12 years ago)	4 September 2011 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,096	$568
Current price	$499 (0.5x MSRP)	$823 (1.4x MSRP)

Technical specs

Core i7-2960XM and Core i7-2860QM 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	8	8
Base clock speed	2.7 GHz	2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.7 GHz	3.6 GHz
L1 cache	64K (per core)	64K (per core)
L2 cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
L3 cache	8 MB (shared)	8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	32 nm
Die size	216 mm2	216 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	100 °C
Number of transistors	1,160 million	1,160 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-2960XM and Core i7-2860QM 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
Socket	FCPGA988	FCBGA1224,FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)	55 Watt	45 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-2960XM and Core i7-2860QM. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® AVX	Intel® AVX
AES-NI	+	+
FMA	no data	+
AVX	+	+
vPro	no data	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
My WiFi	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	+	+
Demand Based Switching	-	-
FDI	+	+
Fast Memory Access	+	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-2960XM and Core i7-2860QM 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 i7-2960XM and Core i7-2860QM are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-2960XM and Core i7-2860QM. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600
Maximum memory size	32 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel HD Graphics 3000	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Quick Sync Video	+	+
Clear Video HD	+	+
Graphics max frequency	1.3 GHz	1.3 GHz
InTru 3D	+	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-2960XM and Core i7-2860QM integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	2	2
eDP	+	+
DisplayPort	+	+
HDMI	+	+
SDVO	+	+
CRT	+	+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-2960XM and Core i7-2860QM.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
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.

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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 i7-2960XM outperforms Core i7-2860QM by 5% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

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Advantages and disadvantages

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Performance score	3.08	2.94
Cost	$1096	$568
Power consumption (TDP)	55 Watt	45 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-2960XM and Core i7-2860QM, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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