CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-2630QM vs Intel Core i7-2635QM
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-2630QM is a widely adopted mobile processor that powered a generation of mainstream and high-end laptops in 2011. As part of the Sandy Bridge family, it features four cores and eight threads, delivering robust multitasking performance. Operating at a 2.0 GHz base clock with a 2.9 GHz turbo boost, it provided adequate speed for demanding applications while maintaining a 45W thermal envelope. Built on a 32nm process, the chip integrated 1,160 million transistors and a 6MB L3 cache. The processor utilized the Socket G2 (988B) interface, making it somewhat upgradable in certain laptop models. It included Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics, handling everyday multimedia tasks. While lacking an unlocked multiplier, the i7-2630QM supported advanced features like AES-NI and AVX, making it a versatile workhorse for students and professionals needing portable computational power without sacrificing much battery life.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Fine for basic office work but struggles with heavy web apps.
Adequate for basic tasks but slow for heavy workloads.
Gaming
Handles old games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Obsolete for modern gaming; only handles old titles.
Virtualization
Can run light VMs but limited by modern standards.
Supports VT-x but limited by locked nature.
Efficiency
45W TDP is high, leading to poor battery life by modern standards.
45W TDP is inefficient for modern mobile standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Too slow for AI workloads
- No AI hardware
- Extremely slow compute
Content Creation
Gaming
- Good for games from 2010-2014
- Lacks AVX2 for modern titles
- HD 3000 is obsolete
- No AVX2 support
- HD 3000 graphics are obsolete
- Low base clock
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Soldered design for durability
- Good multi-threaded performance for 2011
- Hardware AES-NI support
- Reliable Sandy Bridge architecture
Cons
- Cannot be upgraded (soldered)
- 45W TDP requires active cooling
- Obsolete integrated graphics
- Lacks AVX2 support
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core i7-2635QM
- AMD A8-3510MXRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2630QMRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2715QERival
Mobile
- AMD Phenom II N930Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-2435MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3612QMAlt
Ivy Bridge successor with lower power.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
Modern budget mobile alternative.
- Intel Core i3-3217UAlt
Lower power Ivy Bridge alternative.
- Intel Pentium 987Alt
Low power alternative for basic tasks.
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA reliable soldered mobile CPU that offered great performance for its time, now obsolete and non-upgradable.
Best for: The Core i7-2635QM is an obsolete, soldered mobile processor that cannot be upgraded. If you own a laptop with this chip, it is still functional for basic computing, media playback, and web browsing. Adding an SSD and upgrading the RAM can significantly improve the responsiveness of the system for legacy use. However, it is completely unsuitable for modern gaming or heavy productivity tasks. If the laptop fails, it is generally not worth repairing the motherboard due to the age of the platform. For new purchases, modern laptops offer exponentially better performance, battery life, and features. The i7-2635QM should only be maintained in working devices, not sought out for new builds or repairs.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-2630QM or Intel Core i7-2635QM?
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, Intel Core i7-2630QM or Intel Core i7-2635QM?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-2630QM leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Intel Core i7-2630QM and Intel Core i7-2635QM.
Do Intel Core i7-2630QM and Intel Core i7-2635QM use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-2630QM: Socket G2 (988B), Intel Core i7-2635QM: BGA 1224), so each needs a compatible motherboard.