CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-2635QM vs Intel Core i7-2675QM

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.

Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-2635QM
4C / 8T2.9 GHz45 W
7
Full review
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-2675QM
4C / 8T3.1 GHz45 W
7
Full review

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile
Mobile
Generation
2nd Generation
2nd Generation
Launched
2011
2011
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Sandy Bridge
Sandy Bridge
Series
Core i7
Core i7
Family
Sandy Bridge
Sandy Bridge
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-720QM
Intel Core i7-2635QM
Successor
Intel Core i7-3612QM
Intel Core i7-3615QM

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
4
Threads
8
8
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.2 GHz
Boost Clock
2.9 GHz
3.1 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
6 MB
6 MB
TDP
45 W
45 W
Architecture
Architecture
Sandy Bridge
Sandy Bridge
Process Node
32nm
32nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3
Memory Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3-1333
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
32 GB
32 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
BGA 1224
BGA 1224
PCIe Version
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i7-2635QM30

Adequate for basic tasks but slow for heavy workloads.

Intel Core i7-2675QM30

Adequate for basic tasks but slow for heavy workloads.

Gaming

Intel Core i7-2635QM20

Obsolete for modern gaming; only handles old titles.

Intel Core i7-2675QM20

Obsolete for modern gaming; only handles old titles.

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-2635QM30

Supports VT-x but limited by locked nature.

Intel Core i7-2675QM30

Supports VT-x but limited by locked nature.

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-2635QM25

45W TDP is inefficient for modern mobile standards.

Intel Core i7-2675QM25

45W TDP is inefficient for modern mobile standards.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-2635QMNone
  • No AI hardware
  • Extremely slow compute
Intel Core i7-2675QMNone
  • No AI hardware
  • Extremely slow compute

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-2635QMPoor
Basic document editingMedia playback
Intel Core i7-2675QMPoor
Basic document editingMedia playback

Gaming

Intel Core i7-2635QMPoor
  • No AVX2 support
  • HD 3000 graphics are obsolete
  • Low base clock
Intel Core i7-2675QMPoor
  • No AVX2 support
  • HD 3000 graphics are obsolete
  • Low base clock

Industry Impact

Gaming
Moderate
Moderate
Workstations
High
High
Content Creation
Moderate
Moderate
Virtualization
Low
Low

Best CPU by Use Case

Legacy Laptop Use
Good
Good
Media Consumption
Very Good
Very Good
Office Productivity
Fair
Fair
Modern Gaming
Poor
Poor
Video Editing
Poor
Poor

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Targeted
Students

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i7-2635QM

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
Intel Core i7-2675QM

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 i7-2635QM

  • AMD A8-3510MX

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Compare head-to-head
  • Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Phenom II N930

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-2435M

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-3612QM
    Alt

    Ivy Bridge successor with lower power.

  • AMD Ryzen 3 3200U
    Alt

    Modern budget mobile alternative.

  • Intel Core i3-3217U
    Alt

    Lower power Ivy Bridge alternative.

  • Intel Pentium 987
    Alt

    Low power alternative for basic tasks.

Intel Core i7-2675QM

  • AMD A8-3550MX

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Compare head-to-head
  • Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Phenom II N950

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-2455M

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-3615QM
    Alt

    Ivy Bridge successor with lower power.

  • AMD Ryzen 3 3200U
    Alt

    Modern budget mobile alternative.

  • Intel Core i3-3217U
    Alt

    Lower power Ivy Bridge alternative.

  • Intel Pentium 987
    Alt

    Low power alternative for basic tasks.

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 review

A reliable soldered mobile CPU that offered great performance for its time, now obsolete and non-upgradable.

Best for: The Core i7-2675QM 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 i7-2675QM should only be maintained in working devices, not sought out for new builds or repairs.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Intel Core i7-2635QM and Intel Core i7-2675QM use the same socket?

Yes — all of these CPUs use the BGA 1224 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Intel Core i7-2675QM posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-2635QM (3,700), Intel Core i7-2675QM (3,900). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.