CPU Comparison
Core i7-720QM vs Intel Core i7-2630QM
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-720QM is a high-end mobile quad-core processor launched in September 2009. Based on the Clarksfield architecture, it features 4 cores and 8 threads with a base clock of 1.6 GHz and a turbo boost up to 2.8 GHz. With a 45W TDP, it brought Nehalem architecture to gaming and workstation laptops. Built on a 45nm process, it includes 6MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory, but lacks integrated graphics.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Multi-threading helps, but low base clock hurts responsiveness.
Fine for basic office work but struggles with heavy web apps.
Gaming
Can run older games well but lacks single-core speed for modern titles.
Handles old games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Virtualization
8 threads make it decent for legacy VMs.
Can run light VMs but limited by modern standards.
Efficiency
45W TDP on 45nm is very hot and inefficient.
45W TDP is high, leading to poor battery life by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- No AI hardware
- Too slow for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Requires a discrete GPU
- Low base clock can bottleneck modern games
- Good for retro gaming
- 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- HD 3000 is obsolete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
- True 4-core, 8-thread design
- Socketed (Socket G1)
- Supports DDR3-1333
- Turbo Boost technology
Cons
- Very high power consumption (45W)
- Low 1.6 GHz base clock
- No integrated graphics
- Obsolete 45nm process
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 i7-720QM
- AMD Phenom II X4 X920Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-820QMRival
Mobile
- AMD Turion II Ultra M640Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-740QMRival
Mobile
Newer Sandy Bridge alternative with vastly better efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Phenom II N930Alt
AMD quad-core alternative without turbo boost.
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000Alt
Older generation alternative.
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
A groundbreaking mobile CPU in 2009 that brought 4 cores and 8 threads to laptops, but heavily outdated and power-hungry by modern standards.
Best for: Retro gaming laptop repair
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 i7-720QM 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 i7-720QM or Intel Core i7-2630QM?
For gaming, the Core i7-720QM leads with a gaming performance score of 30/100 among Core i7-720QM and Intel Core i7-2630QM.
Do Core i7-720QM and Intel Core i7-2630QM use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i7-720QM: Intel Socket G1, Intel Core i7-2630QM: Socket G2 (988B)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-2630QM posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-2630QM (3,700). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.