CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-2635QM vs Intel Core i7-2670QM
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-2635QM is a BGA-packaged mobile processor that brought quad-core performance to thinner and more compact laptops in 2011. Based on the Sandy Bridge architecture, it features four cores and eight threads, delivering excellent multitasking capabilities. Operating at a 2.0 GHz base clock and boosting up to 2.9 GHz, it offered the same performance as the socketed i7-2630QM but was soldered directly to the motherboard via BGA 1223. The 32nm process housed 1,160 million transistors and a 6MB L3 cache. With a 45W TDP, it was designed for performance laptops rather than ultrabooks. It included Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics for everyday multimedia tasks. While lacking an unlocked multiplier, the i7-2635QM supported AVX and AES-NI, making it a powerful and permanent solution for portable systems requiring robust computational power without the need for future upgrades.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Adequate for basic tasks but slow for heavy workloads.
Fine for basic office work but struggles with heavy web apps.
Gaming
Obsolete for modern gaming; only handles old titles.
Handles old games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Virtualization
Supports VT-x but limited by locked nature.
Can run light VMs but limited by modern standards.
Efficiency
45W TDP is inefficient for modern mobile standards.
45W TDP is high, leading to poor battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Extremely slow compute
- No AI hardware
- Too slow for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- No AVX2 support
- HD 3000 graphics are obsolete
- Low base clock
- Good for 2011-2014 games
- Lacks AVX2 for modern titles
- HD 3000 is obsolete
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Good multi-threaded performance for 2011
- Socketed design allows replacement
- Reliable Sandy Bridge architecture
- Higher clocks than 2630QM
Cons
- 45W TDP limits battery life
- Integrated graphics are obsolete
- Lacks AVX2 support
- End-of-life and unsupported
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core i7-2670QM
- AMD A8-3550MXRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2630QMRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2760QMRival
Mobile
- AMD Phenom II N950Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-2450MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3610QMAlt
Ivy Bridge successor with better efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3250UAlt
Modern budget mobile alternative.
- Intel Core i5-2430MAlt
Dual-core alternative for lighter laptops.
- Intel Pentium Silver N5000Alt
Modern low-power alternative.
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA solid mobile quad-core that provided a nice speed bump over the 2630QM, now obsolete.
Best for: The Core i7-2670QM 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 or i3 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 i7-2670QM 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, Intel Core i7-2635QM or Intel Core i7-2670QM?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-2670QM 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 i7-2635QM or Intel Core i7-2670QM?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-2670QM leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Intel Core i7-2635QM and Intel Core i7-2670QM.
Do Intel Core i7-2635QM and Intel Core i7-2670QM use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-2635QM: BGA 1224, Intel Core i7-2670QM: Socket G2 (988B)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-2670QM posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-2635QM (3,700), Intel Core i7-2670QM (3,900). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.