CPU Comparison
Core i5-2450M vs Intel Core i7-2630QM
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-2450M is a dual-core mobile processor from the Sandy Bridge generation, featuring Hyper-Threading and integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, designed for mainstream laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Struggles with modern web applications and heavy office suites.
Fine for basic office work but struggles with heavy web apps.
Gaming
Unable to play modern AAA games at acceptable frame rates.
Handles old games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Virtualization
Can run light VMs but limited by modern standards.
Efficiency
32nm process is highly inefficient by today's standards.
45W TDP is high, leading to poor battery life by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- Insufficient compute for local AI
- No AI hardware
- Too slow for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Outdated architecture
- Weak integrated graphics
- Insufficient for modern titles
- 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- HD 3000 is obsolete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
- Hyper-Threading support
- Integrated graphics
- Low cost on used market
Cons
- Obsolete architecture
- High power consumption for performance
- No modern instruction sets
- Very slow by current standards
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 i5-2450M
- AMD A8-3520MRival
Mobile
- AMD A6-3420MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-2410MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i3-2330MRival
Mobile
- AMD A8-3500MRival
Mobile
Ivy Bridge upgrade with better efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-3110MAlt
Cheaper dual-core option.
- AMD A10-4600MAlt
Better integrated graphics.
- Intel Core i7-2620MAlt
Higher clock speed and cache.
- AMD A8-3550MXAlt
Stronger multi-threaded performance.
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
An obsolete mobile processor that can still handle extremely basic tasks, but is completely outclassed by modern low-end chips.
Best for: Keeping an old laptop running
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 i5-2450M 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 i5-2450M or Intel Core i7-2630QM?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-2630QM leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Core i5-2450M and Intel Core i7-2630QM.
Which uses less power?
The Core i5-2450M has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core i5-2450M (35 W), Intel Core i7-2630QM (45 W).
Do Core i5-2450M and Intel Core i7-2630QM use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i5-2450M: Intel BGA 1023, 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 i5-2450M (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 i5-2450M (0), Intel Core i7-2630QM (3,700). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.