CPU Comparison
Core i5-2520M vs Intel Core i7-2630QM
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-2520M (Socket G2) is the socketed variant of the popular Sandy Bridge business dual-core processor, allowing for CPU upgrades in compatible laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Adequate for lightweight office work and web browsing.
Fine for basic office work but struggles with heavy web apps.
Gaming
Not suitable for modern 3D games.
Handles old games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Virtualization
Can run light VMs but limited by modern standards.
Efficiency
Standard 35W mobile power draw for 2011.
45W TDP is high, leading to poor battery life by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Too slow for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Outdated architecture
- Weak iGPU
- Good for games from 2010-2014
- Lacks AVX2 for modern titles
- HD 3000 is obsolete
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Socketed for easy upgrades
- Enterprise VT-d and TXT support
- Very cheap on the used market
- Reliable
Cons
- Obsolete performance
- 35W TDP limits battery life in older laptops
- No modern OS support
- Limited to DDR3
Pros
- Very popular and reliable
- Good multi-threaded performance for 2011
- Socketed design in many laptops
- Brought Sandy Bridge IPC to mobile
Cons
- 45W TDP limits battery life
- Integrated graphics are obsolete
- Lacks AVX2 support
- Base clock of 2.0 GHz is slow
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i5-2520M
- Intel Core i5-2520M (BGA)Rival
Mobile
- AMD A8-3510MXRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2620MRival
Mobile
- AMD Phenom II N970Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2540MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2640MAlt
Drop-in upgrade with higher clocks and 4MB cache.
- Intel Core i7-2720QMAlt
Quad-core upgrade (if BIOS allows).
Ivy Bridge upgrade requiring a new motherboard.
Compare head-to-headQuad-core option for heavy multitasking.
Compare head-to-head- AMD A10-4600MAlt
Alternative platform with better graphics.
Intel Core i7-2630QM
- AMD A8-3500MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2710QERival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-2410MRival
Mobile
- AMD Phenom II N930Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2670QMRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3610QMAlt
Ivy Bridge successor with better efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250UAlt
Modern budget mobile alternative.
- Intel Core i5-2450MAlt
Dual-core alternative with similar single-core speed.
- Intel Pentium Silver N5000Alt
Modern low-power alternative.
Our Verdict on Each
Identical in performance to the BGA variant, but highly prized today by tinkerers because its rPGA988B socket allows for easy swapping and upgrades to i7 processors.
Best for: Upgrading an existing Socket G2 laptop to an i7
Read the full reviewA highly popular and reliable mobile CPU that brought quad-core performance to the masses, now obsolete.
Best for: The Core i7-2630QM is an obsolete processor that should not be sought out for new purchases. However, if you already own a laptop with this chip, it remains viable for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media playback. In some compatible laptops, users could upgrade from an i5 to this i7, but that is no longer cost-effective. If your laptop still functions, adding an SSD and maxing out the RAM can breathe new life into it for light use. For any new computing needs, modern laptops offer vastly superior performance, battery life, and features. The i7-2630QM is best left as a component in functioning legacy devices rather than a target for upgrades.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i5-2520M or Intel Core i7-2630QM?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-2630QM comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Core i5-2520M or Intel Core i7-2630QM?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-2630QM leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Core i5-2520M and Intel Core i7-2630QM.
Which uses less power?
The Core i5-2520M has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core i5-2520M (35 W), Intel Core i7-2630QM (45 W).
Do Core i5-2520M and Intel Core i7-2630QM use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i5-2520M: Intel Socket G2 (988B), Intel Core i7-2630QM: Socket G2 (988B)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i7-2630QM has the most cores. Core counts: Core i5-2520M (2 cores), Intel Core i7-2630QM (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-2630QM posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i5-2520M (0), Intel Core i7-2630QM (3,700). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.